Sr Specialist Quality & Sensory

Job Description:

Title: Sr Specialist Quality and Sensory

Location: Chicago, IL

Workstyle: Onsite

Mars Snacking does not sponsor visas for this role. This position is not eligible for relocation benefits

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what’s next for Snacking. It’s home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE’S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations. We’re looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. We’re proudly part of Mars, while also building something boldly different. If this inspires and energizes you, you’ve found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world!

The Sr. Specialist Quality and Sensory is responsible for the implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of Mars Snacking quality and sensory programs to enable products consistently meet established quality, food safety, sensory, regulatory, and consumer expectations. This role serves as a key technical resource and liaison supporting the execution of quality standards across products, ingredients, suppliers, manufacturing sites, and commercialization activities and ensures that the products are safe for human consumption and meet customer, consumer and regulatory requirements to achieve business objectives. The Sr. Specialist Quality and Sensory provides technical leadership and collaboration to assure quality and sensory program requirements are effectively executed, measured, and sustained across the organization.to improve Q&FS Management System for the Mars Snacking Accelerator brands.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Lead the implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of company quality and sensory programs to support product excellence, consumer satisfaction, and business objectives.
• Develop, maintain, and execute quality and sensory evaluation processes, methodologies, and standards to assess product and ingredient performance against established specifications.
• Coordinate sensory testing activities, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, consumer evaluations, and product benchmarking to support product development, commercialization, and quality assurance initiatives.
• Establish and maintain product and ingredient quality standards, specifications, scorecards, and monitoring systems to drive consistency across manufacturing locations and suppliers.
• Monitor product quality performance metrics and sensory program effectiveness, communicating findings and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Identify, recommend, and implement corrective and preventive actions to address quality and sensory risks and improve product consistency.
• Support commercialization activities by providing quality and sensory guidance during product development, reformulation, line extensions, and process optimization initiatives.
• Maintain documentation, records, and reporting systems related to quality and sensory assessments, investigations, and improvement projects.
• Provide training, coaching, and technical support to cross-functional teams on quality standards, sensory methodologies, product evaluation techniques, and best practices.
• Participate in internal audits, compliance assessments, and quality system reviews to ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing product quality, ingredient performance, sensory excellence, operational efficiency, and consumer satisfaction.
• Influence strategic quality and sensory initiatives by leveraging technical expertise, consumer insights, and data analytics to drive informed decision-making and business results.

What are we looking for?

• BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field
• 3 years of food manufacturing experience in a responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system and or a combination of education and 5+ years demonstrated success in relevant field

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, Engineering or related technical field
• 2 years of food plant experience in a responsible position related to food safety or Quality and food safety management system
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities in leading a team
• Demonstrated leadership of robust internal audit program
• Demonstrated success with Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• Proven application of quality tools, food science, and statistics
• Demonstrated capability to manage multiple priorities
• Proven leadership within a team and demonstrated ability to lead change
• Exhibited understanding of GMP, GLP, food allergens, pest control, sanitation, and food safety regulations
• Expert knowledge of Food Safety Standards, procedures and legislation
• Ability to work effectively in cross functional teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong presentation Skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success with Food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite controls
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting: USD 101,120.00 - USD 139,040.00

Commitment to Equal Employer Opportunities: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with applicable law and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected under federal, state, and local laws. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

A Note to Candidates Regarding AI Embracing AI as a vital skill for today and tomorrow, we welcome candidates to use AI to assist with your preparation as you engage with our recruiting process—from helping to perfect your CV/resume to using it to refine your interview skills. While AI can assist you, we expect that your ideas, responses, and demonstration of competencies throughout the recruitment process are authentically your own. We value genuine engagement and want to see the real you shine. At Mars, AI is here to support—not replace—the human connection at the heart of our recruitment process.

Note to Search Firms/Agencies: Mars, Incorporated and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Mars) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Mars and the requisition is position-specific. Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written