Job Description:

The SQA MRA to Spec Lead (2-year assignment) is is a pivotal strategic role responsible for defining, aligning, and accelerating global processes. This role drives the digital transformation of material and supplier qualification globally across all Pet Nutrition business units .

By mapping existing workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and translating complex process data into technical requirements, the Lead will establish an accelerated "To-Be" qualification framework that reduces time-to-market without compromising on compliance, quality, or safety. Acting as the ultimate bridge between technical IT/Data teams and business operations, this position orchestrates process automation and champions data hygiene,

The role is also responsible for defining globally harmonized supplier quality performance management process including KPIs, Metrics and dashboard design supporting the process.

Accountable for successful deployment and adoption of the processes, automation and tracking by the business.

Context and Scope:

Operating in a highly dynamic and regulated environment, this role must balance agility with strict adherence to quality and safety standards. The role requires significant stakeholder management, working seamlessly at global level across different business units, segments, global R&D networks, IT partners, and third-party supplier bases. Successful execution will directly impact the speed of innovation and supply chain resilience by bringing safe, high-quality products to market faster.

What would be your key responsibilities?

Global Process Standardization & Qualification Acceleration

• Best Practice Mapping: Conduct global, cross-segment mapping exercises to capture, document, and benchmark "As-Is" material and supplier qualification workflows.
• Bottleneck Identification: Pinpoint operational bottlenecks, redundancies, and regional variances that delay the supplier onboarding cycle. Translate complex process mining outputs into tangible, actionable technical and business requirement documents.
• Time-to-Market Optimization: Standardize global "To-Be" qualification procedures to establish a robust, compliant "fast-track" or accelerated qualification framework.
• R&D & Supplier Co-Creation: Co-create a connected process with R&D, external suppliers, and cross-functional partners to support efficient, real-time collaboration.
• Continuous Improvement: Act as the strategic bridge between technical data analysts and business operations to prioritize and implement process-refining features.
• Global Quality Templates: Ensure aligned global templates integrate distinct material category qualification requirements and respect pet-food-specific regulatory standards, safety margins, and raw material nuances.

Supplier Performance & Relationship Management Framework

• Joint Process Definition: Lead the co-design of the global supplier quality performance management process with internal partners and key strategic suppliers to foster mutual accountability.

Data Analytics, KPIs, and Dashboard Governance

• KPI Validation: Partner with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Quality Engineers, and Data Engineering teams to validate, refine, and sign off on standardized KPIs for supplier quality performance.
• Dashboard Co-Creation: Lead the development of intuitive supplier performance dashboards, ensuring underlying data pipelines from enterprise systems are accurate, robust, and globally standardized.
• Data Hygiene Advocacy: Support business units to ensure data quality at the source for reliable, xxxx accurate reporting by actively connecting business operations with data experts and resources.

Process Automation & Digital Tool Orchestration

• Automation Pipeline Scopes: Collaborate with Digital, IT, and Systems teams to identify high-potential targets for workflow automation.
• System Integrations: Help define the technical and business scope for connecting core platforms (such as Quality Management Systems, ERPs/S4 HANA, and supplier collaboration hubs).
• Technology Pilot Leadership: Scope, test, and pilot innovative digital quality tools before launching them to the wider global business network.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Quality Management, Food Safety, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline is beneficial.
• Consistent experience in technical function, ideally across SQA/R&D/Q&FS.
• Experience implementing projects with senior x-functional stakeholders.
• Preferred: Certifications in Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), Business Process Management (BPM), Agile Project Management, or Change Management.
• Consistent experience in Quality Systems, SQA, Manufacturing Quality, or Supply Chain Operations within the FMCG, food, or pharmaceutical industries.
• Process Mapping Mastery: Proven experience leading end-to-end business process mapping and design (e.g., Value Stream Mapping) to drive efficiency and lean operations.
• Digital Strategy & Collaboration: Experience collaborating directly with Digital/IT functions to co-create long-term roadmaps, deploy enterprise-level digital tools, or drive large-scale digital transformations.
• Systems & Database Expertise: Deep understanding of enterprise quality and specification management software (experience with Mars-specific systems such as Nexus, Trinity, and ATLAS, or equivalents like SAP QM and PLM systems is highly advantageous).

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.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.