Food Safety & Quality Lead Auditor

Job Location: ​Chicago​

Chicago, Illinois

Company description

Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella®, Tic Tac®, Ferrero Rocher®, Raffaello®, Kinder Bueno® and Kinder Surprise®. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 40,000  dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

About the Role:

About the Function: The Food Safety & Quality Audit team is responsible for conducting audits across the Ferrero value chain which include Ferrero Group plants, Co-manufacturers, Co-packers, Hazelnut processing units, Business Units and Supply Chain warehouses.

Food Safety & Quality auditors are also involved in supporting the evaluation of the newly acquired companies by the Group.

About your Role: As the Food Safety & Quality Lead Auditor you will interact across many organizational functions such as Operations, Supply Chain, Food Safety and Quality, Regulatory and R&D functions. This role provides an excellent opportunity to build a global network and establish the foundation for a career development path within the Ferrero Group.

This is a hybrid position based in the Ferrero Headquarters in Chicago, IL, three days on-site and two days remote.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead and Coach a Team of up to five people and plan and execute audits against the Ferrero Food Safety and Quality Audit requirements.
• Identify risks and opportunities for continuous improvement to enable effective corrective action through the organization.
• Prepare and release audit reports based on facts observed during the on-site visit.
• Leading projects within the Quality Audit organization to drive Organization development and participate in joint projects with other functions across Ferrero Group.
• Traveling approximately 50% of the time internationally.

Compensation Data

The base salary range for this position is $127,577. - $170,102. annually.  Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time. 

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits. 

Who we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree required with an advanced technical degree in food science, micro-biology, or related technical field a plus
• 10+ years of relevant experience including progressive responsibilities in the fast-moving consumer goods industry with operational role in Quality & Food Safety.
• Experience with FSMA (including Preventive Controls, FSVP, Sanitary Transport, and Intentional Adulteration); HACCP/HARPC plan design, measurement, documentation, & training required
• HACCP certification required. FSMA PCQI and GFSI (BRC, SQF or FSSC 22000) certifications preferred
• Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills
• Strong interpersonal skills (communication, coaching, setting expectations, providing feedback)
• Proven leadership abilities directing and developing a high performing team with a clear vision and a mindset of accountability
• Fluent in English, any additional language is a plus.
• Working experience in chocolate/biscuit/nuts/ice-cream/dairy manufacturing environment preferred.
• Lead auditor certifications are desirable (e.g., ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, HACCP and any GFSI benchmark standards).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and SAP.
• Experienced team leader with effective communication, influencing and presentation skills.

How to be successful in the role and at Ferrero:

Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you’ll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world. 

Strong analytical mind, attention to details on one hand, and ability to cooperate with employees at all levels and great organisational skills on the other, would be key to success.  Employee contribution and engagement at Ferrero is based on the individual, team and organisation dimension, so you should have the ability to work independently, as a part of the team and build good relations with stakeholders at all levels.  Being flexible and dealing with a dynamic working environment as well as the ability to embed new knowledge and skills in existing competencies will definitely help you to become high performer here. 

Diversity Statement

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

Ferrero N.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.