About the position

The Senior Quality Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety, compliance, and quality across our U.S. manufacturing network. As a trusted technical partner to factory teams, you will help drive alignment with regulatory requirements, uphold Nestlé quality standards, and champion robust food safety practices. In this role, you will also serve as the intermarket supply coordinator—managing product briefs, leading issue resolution, and guiding effective complaint investigations between producing and receiving markets. You’ll be a key driver of continuous improvement by supporting defect elimination efforts and strengthening quality systems to elevate factory performance. This position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced quality professional who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment. If you enjoy influencing across functions, translating technical concepts into practical solutions, and making a meaningful impact on operations and consumer trust, this role offers a rewarding next step in your career

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Intermarket Supply complaint coordinator by supporting factories with complaint investigations and facilitating timely resolution of claims within the Complaint Handling tool.
• Manage producing‑market inputs for Product Compliance within the Intermarket Supply Product Brief Tool.
• Lead and participate in cross‑functional quality and manufacturing initiatives to improve Incident Management, FTR, defect elimination (Consumer and Customer Complaints), and the use of digital manufacturing tools—all with a strong focus on consumer experience and food safety.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners and factory teams to identify opportunities for process improvement and defect elimination using continuous‑improvement methodologies such as TPM, and Goal Alignment.
• Support factories in managing and maintaining quality assurance systems in full compliance with Nestlé policies, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Build capability by strengthening leadership and technical competencies within factory Quality Assurance Managers and their teams, fostering greater autonomy and expertise.
• Partner with factory teams to develop and execute implementation plans that support business and company objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BS/BA degree preferred in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field, or significant relevant work experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in a quality role within a manufacturing operations environment.
• Knowledge of FDA regulations required.
• Proven ability to translate technical, quality, and compliance concepts into practical application.
• Strong knowledge of Food Safety/HACCP, GMPs, Allergen Controls, sanitary design/controls, pest control, and food and/or dietary supplement regulations preferred.
• Proven project‑management experience.
• Strong problem‑solving capabilities.
• Statistical analysis experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Windows‑based applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with SAP, Viva, PLM, or QMS software preferred
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment with minimal supervision, showing strong leadership, interpersonal skills, and self‑initiative.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification a plus.
• FSSC Lead Auditor training from an approved external provider a plus.
• PCQI (FSMA) certification a plus.
• Travel required: approximately 10–15%.

Nice-to-haves

• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification a plus.
• FSSC Lead Auditor training from an approved external provider a plus.
• PCQI (FSMA) certification a plus.

Benefits

• Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits.