Quality Expert - Remote

About Nestlé USA

Join Nestlé USA, a company dedicated to delighting consumers with trusted food brands like DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, found in 97% of U.S. households. Nestlé fosters an inclusive and innovative corporate culture that encourages strategic thinking, creativity, and personal achievement. Employees are empowered to challenge norms, take calculated risks, and pioneer new ideas within a supportive and collaborative setting to help everyone thrive and grow.

Position Summary

This role reports to the Director of Quality Contract Manufacturing and supports Nestlé operations across the USA, Canada, and Nestlé Professional. The Quality Expert will provide leadership, mentoring, and technical guidance in all quality-related areas within contract manufacturing, ensuring compliance and delivering food safety excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop technical skills and capabilities within contract manufacturing facilities to foster operational autonomy.
• Ensure strict adherence to Nestlé policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee product quality and food safety at contract manufacturing sites.
• Utilize TPM, NCE, and other Quality tools to identify trends, formulate plans for continuous improvement, and meet business goals.
• Coach and educate cross-functional teams on quality procedures and aid project teams to facilitate rapid onboarding and project execution.
• Work closely with contract manufacturing managers to lead site improvements, reduce defects and complaints, and boost overall performance.
• Assist factories in managing customer complaint resolutions.
• Support product recall or withdrawal processes when necessary.
• Coordinate with other functions to meet business objectives as needed.
• Monitor and analyze site audit requirements, including FOB and CC activities; prepare monthly completion and ad hoc status reports highlighting risks and issues.
• Conduct onsite visits for project support, continuous improvement, assessments for vendor approval, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Ensure accurate data input and management in systems such as QIR, VAM, SMI, NCITES, and SAP, including audit information and risk assessments.
• Maintain updated contract manufacturing site risk profiles by coordinating with quality and manufacturing managers.
• Issue trip reports following each site visit.
• Review third-party audit reports related to food safety and quality management systems relevant to the contracts.
• Participate in office weeks, team meetings, operational reviews, and manage quality-related improvement initiatives influencing vendor performance and business impact.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Technical degree related to food science or equivalent field.
• Certified in Food Safety Management Systems including Food Safety Team Leader, Internal Auditor qualifications, FSCC 22000 Lead Auditor or equivalent.
• Certification as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).
• Experience and training in Nestlé quality leadership or factory operations are desirable.
• At least 7 years of food-related quality assurance experience demonstrating deep knowledge in food safety and quality system implementation, auditing, and continuous improvement.
• Expertise in hazard analysis, validation and verification of prerequisite programs, control measures, and HACCP plans.
• Preferred experience in beverage manufacturing processes (ESL, aseptic, pasteurization, canning/bottling), various food manufacturing types (dry/wet mix, ready-to-eat, frozen products, pizza, snacks), and coffee manufacturing technologies including thermal processes.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Proficient with quality system performance assessments and problem-solving methodologies such as GSTD, DMAIC, and Q-Pillar.
• Advanced skills in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SAP, TraceGains, and SharePoint.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and also effectively within team environments.
• Project management skills are an advantage.
• Adaptability to quickly learn new food processing technologies and address critical food safety challenges autonomously or in consultation with experts.
• Solid knowledge of food safety standards, GMPs, allergen controls, sanitary design, pest control, relevant regulations, specifications, and food technology basics.
• Capable of traveling extensively, up to 75%, as required by the role.

Additional Information

This role does not offer visa sponsorship. Nestlé values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from veterans, individuals with disabilities, and people from all backgrounds. Nestlé is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair employment practices.

Compensation for this position ranges approximately from $124,000 to $155,000 base salary. This is a salaried position with performance-based incentives and a comprehensive benefits package, including 401k match and healthcare coverage.