Job Purpose/Overview

Supplier Quality Assurance Manager – India is responsible for managing the ingredients & packaging material supplier’s qualification, overall performance and continuous improvement.  In this role, incumbent needs to work very closely with global & regional Q&FS, Regional Supply Chain, Global & regional commercial managers to ensure that all suppliers meet Mars Snacking standard & requirements. In addition, incumbent should cooperate with other Regional Commercial/SQA Managers to develop & optimize supplier management strategy and assure implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible to co-create and deliver SQA OGSM for Mars Snacking India and region.
• Act as Subject Matter Expert to train and maintain SQA activities with Commercial, Factory Q&FS and suppliers to ensure consistent roll-out within region.
• Drive implementation of Mars Sourcing Standard Programs and ensure its consistent deployment as aligned with Global/Regional SQA Strategies
• Assures quality and consistency of ingredients and packaging materials supply within the region for Mars Snacking India Sites.
• Network and leverage best practices with other internal and external SQA communities to identify and improve processes, coordinate cross-regional supplier reviews and collaborate on strategic projects
• Develop strategy and plans to mitigate supply risk via investigation and verification of supplier capability, alternate materials & secondary sourcing solutions in close collaboration with sourcing team.
• Monitor and measure SQA KPIs on a periodic basis and provide report to the business. 
• Manages inbound supply risks related to material quality, food/product safety and regulatory compliance.
• Performs supplier site audits and ensures completion of identified corrective actions.
• Analyze and resolve supplier related problems, determine root cause and corrective / preventive action with suppliers and Mars
• Provide vital support to the Commercial Sourcing strategies as well as Prime Activity programs.
• Report, Communicate & Document control - Periodic SQA Metrics Report as per SQA process guidelines including local, regional & global metrics.
• Maintain updated documents for all suppliers including suppliers’ audits, CAPA, suppliers’ approvals and performance and any such requirement which ensures their initial as well as ongoing qualification.
• Ensure full control of SQA related documents as required by Mars Sourcing Standard program for Various Internal and external audit at Mars BU or MU level.
• Ensure having the recent updates of the specifications and material risk assessment documents to be shared with the suppliers taking SQA process and the Mars confidentiality guidelines into account.
• Deployment ownership and frequent reporting of the sourcing standard (UHBI, MQM & PQM) progress.
• Representing various categories of material on the regional and/ or global community team

Knowledge / Experience

• Candidate should have minimum 10 to 14 years of experience in a technical area such as R&D, product development, quality systems, auditing, food safety, laboratory management, manufacturing, or engineering (at least 5 years of experience with direct supplier chain quality management is preferred).
• Advanced level of knowledge and understanding on food safety management systems (FSSC22000, ISO22000, HACCP, ISO9001, BRC, Codex etc.) skills, Problem Solving, Project management, Process Management, Good interpersonal skills.
• Strong experience of food safety auditing, preferred with FSSC 22000 Lead Auditor Certificate.
• Skills: Auditing skills, Data Analysis & Interpretation, Active Listening & communication skills, Priority setting and planning
• Work remotely – extensive travel (up to 40-50% of time) at supplier as well as Mars sites
• Primarily working on own as a responsible Mars associate
• Act as a bridge for business and technical requirements.
• Managing complexity of supplying aspects (Solo suppliers, local and governmental owned suppliers, etc).