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Job Location: Hershey, PA or Chicago, IL area or Remote * Summary:* /Briefly state the primary purpose of the job./ The Sr. Specialist QRC External Mfg reports to the Senior Manager QRC External Mfg. The Sr. Specialist QRC External Mfg serves as Quality Regulatory Compliance (QRC) representative for The Hershey Company contract manufacturing/packaging facilities. Under moderate guidance, leads quality programs and complex assignments. Serves as a resource for multiple contract partner facilities with respect to Hershey requirements, Global Food Safety Standards, regulations, weight control, sanitary design, allergens, cleaning, incident management, consumer complaint reduction and other related matters. Examples include auditing and assessing customer and supplier quality programs, co-packing and co-manufacturing quality programs, troubleshooting issues of high complexity; interaction with regulatory officials on behalf of Hershey; leading cross functional teams (Marketing, Legal, etc.) on short or long-term assignments with respect to complex QRC situations (i.e. innovation, regulatory changes, quality incidents, etc.). The Sr. Specialist QRC External Mfg leads the quality, food safety and regulatory compliance side of innovation projects usually taking the projects after Validation stage Gate 3 all the way to First Delivery This position is within the Quality and Regulatory Compliance Department in the US Region. This is a corporate based position. * Major Duties/Responsibilities:* * * * Time %* * Summary of major duties:* 1. 40% * Project, Plant and New Product Support:* Acts as QA representative on cross functional project teams, complex assignments and engineering projects including new manufacturing lines, line/equipment relocations and new product start ups. May coordinate new product efforts from initial test runs to full-scale production to assure integrity of systems. Influence food safety and quality systems for new products/new manufacturing lines at external partners to meet company and regulatory requirements. Oversees execution of the quality elements of the projects guiding quality site teams through implementation. Act as QRC representative in the Stage Gate Process evaluating innovation projects, engaging with the sites to provide approval alignment and ensuring compliance with PEP and product expectations from the brand. 2. 20% * Business Support:* SME with broad based knowledge in multiple areas including regulations, industry practices, cleaning and sanitation, corporate wide quality systems, development of policies and procedures, and ability to implement as required. Expected to provide leadership for specific programs, project management, training, and coaching of other functions in the specified areas of expertise. 3. 10% * Incident Management: * Leads troubleshooting of high complexity incidents with the potential of large financial or regulatory impacts. Manage product holds and facilitate root cause analysis and develop corrective and preventive actions. Partner with cross functional groups (Manufacturing, Marketing, Legal, etc.) and external business partners to ensure communications and action plans are established. Ensure timely and cost-effective resolutions are achieved. 4. 10% * Auditing:* Conducts quality and food safety systems audits to provide assessments of adequacy and issue recommendations or guidelines to ensure compliance standards are met. Provide audit summaries to Hersheys Senior Management and/or external business partners. 5. 10% * Training:* Develops and/or implements training programs to assure compliance and understanding of internal quality expectations and regulatory compliance. 6. 10% * Continuous Improvement* Facilitate process/procedure improvement sessions related to: improving consumer complaints performance, manage serious incidents, product quality issues, and overall quality system improvements. Coaching external quality teams on specific issues. * * * * * Scope of interaction: * Managers, Directors, Manufacturing Plants, Corporate and External Suppliers and Customers. * Coordination of activities: * Managers, Directors, Corporate and External Contacts * Scope of involvement:* US based contract partner facilities. Handles high visibility projects at assigned plants. * * * * * Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:* * Ability to make business decisions considering strategic company objectives * Fluency in English required; strong cultural business acumen essential. Bilingual skills in Spanish preferred; additional language proficiency is a plus * Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences * Advanced presentation skills and experience engaging with all levels of the organization, from production teams to executive leadership * Strong relationship-building abilities with external agencies, regulatory bodies, co-manufacturers, suppliers, and trade groups * Advanced problem-solving and troubleshooting skills * Excellent organizational abilities for managing multiple priorities and projects * Collaborative approach and effective teamwork mindset * Experience with auditing and assessments in manufacturing environments * Advanced knowledge of food sanitation practices, sanitary equipment and facility design, and food microbiology * Deep understanding of regulatory and quality system requirements (Hershey’s Product Excellence Program (PEP), FSMA, GFSI, HACCP, GMP) * Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), SAP, Power BI, Net Weight, QIMS, Accolade * Ability to work flexible hours as required * Willingness to travel approximately 30%, with a US focus; higher travel for specialized projects * Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:* * /Education:/* * B.S. in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering or related field * HACCP, SQF auditor and PCQI certification preferred * /Experience:/* * Must have applicable work experience in the food industry implementing quality and food safety programs. 5 years preferred. Consideration given to candidates with a minimum of 3 years experience. * Experience in any of following products is preferred: food, chocolate, sugar confectionery, protein bars, salty snacks. * Experience in manufacturing processes and environments is preferred: enrobing, moulding, panning, slab and slit, baking, roasting, milk processing, beverage, aseptic, retort, low water activity, intermediate water activity, extruding, coating, cooling, starch moulding, curing, pressing, tempering, liquid extraction, mixing, seasoning, packaging. * Experience in cleaning and sanitation processes is preferred: CIP, COP, dry cleaning, wet cleaning is preferred. * * The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans. You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability. You can request an accommodation via phone or email. To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to [email protected]. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.