Senior Manager, Global Quality And Food Safety Audit

Global Technical Audit Organization (GAO) of The Coca-Cola Company
GAO is a truly global organization, responsible for the conducting of risk focused Quality and Food Safety audits of Coca-Cola bottling operations, manufacturing in over 900+ locations, across the more than 200 countries in which we do business.

For the Quality and/or Food Safety professional seeking to transition their career to one of the World’s largest and most successful food and beverage companies, GAO provides the most advantageous entry point into The Coca-Cola system. Roles within the GAO program are a 3-5 year journey leading to further roles and are designed to:  

• Provide broad national and international exposure with hands on experience to various Company operations and processes.
• Create opportunities to quickly gain the most depth and breadth of experiences and knowledge of the business.
• Drive focused capability building and development of business acumen in a supportive team-oriented environment.
• Develop future Technical Leaders through challenging audit assignments.  
• Enable the most exciting career journey you will ever take.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for the experienced Quality and Food Safety professional who has a proven track record in driving exceptional quality performance, continuous improvement and regulatory compliance within a large FMCG Food Organization, seeking global exposure with one of the World’s largest and most successful food and beverage companies.

For this job opening we target candidates based in any major city in Europe with good flight connections and the presence of a Coca-Cola office.

The Global QualityFood Safety Auditor is a member of the Corporate Quality, Safety and Environment organization responsible for assuring that all bottling operations manufacturing for, or on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company are producing products of the highest quality, both safely and sustainably, and in accordance with Company and regulatory standards, policies, practices, and procedures.

Our global team of highly skilled and qualified professionals is responsible for the independent, objective verification of performance of all Coca-Cola system bottling operations. This includes both internal (Company Owned) and external (franchise partners/co-packers) operations.

This role provides the ultimate opportunity to develop a truly global network and lay the foundation for a dynamic Technical career with The Coca-Cola Company.  It is fast paced, requires an insatiable thirst for knowledge and learning, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone and explore the world.  It is truly not for the faint at heart……are you up for the challenge?!

Essential Job Elements:

• Prepare and conduct independent, risk focused, compliance and systems based audits of TCCC’s worldwide bottling operations (both internal and external) for the purposes of verifying conformance to our Quality & Food Safety requirements.
• Leverage investigative skills and techniques to quickly identify risk situations and areas of non-conformance.
• Prepare comprehensive, fact based, audit reports that are clear and concise, allowing operations to accurately address the root causes of non-conformances and the subsequent development of effective corrective actions plans.
• Assess and provide feedback on the quality of corrective action plans to ensure the effective completion and mitigation of all risks.
• Continuously seek insights and knowledge on industry trends and technology that will further improve the organizations value proposition and performance (for both Food Safety/quality, as well as from an audit perspective).
• Utilize subject matter expertise to participate in the review, development and enhancement of Company standards, policies, and procedures.

Technical Knowledge:

• Manufacturing: knowledge of process operating conditions and requirements leading to the successful manufacture of food products (e.g., GMP, GxP, HACCP, GFSI, FSMA)
• Problem solving and continuous improvement: demonstrated knowledge of key tools and techniques used to determine root cause of non-compliance and the subsequent mitigation of risk.
• Six / Lean sigma: foundational knowledge of operational effectiveness / excellence principles that drive efficiency and improved business performance.
• Project Management: knowledge of project management principles and the ability to apply these principles, tools and techniques to develop/plan, manage or execute projects or work plans to ensure successful completion (e.g. on time, within budget).
• Microbiology: practical knowledge of food and water microbiology used to make judgments about the safety of ingredients, beverages, manufacturing techniques, packaging and storage conditions.
• Chemistry: practical knowledge of food chemistry used in determining the performance of quality control programs in place in manufacturing operations

Other Skills:

• Communication: effective, oral, written and presentation-based skills that lead to understanding, and buy-in.
• Investigative Analysis / Attention to Detail: conduct in-depth assessments of a process, program or activity using various tools and techniques of data collection that leads to a conclusion on performance/risk.
• Critical / System Thinking: the ability to think systemically and holistically in establishing connections and conclusions.
• Logic and Reasoning: think clearly and sensibly with both structure and purpose.
• Decision making: use facts and information to establish motive. Be aware of the impact of decisions on both short and long term needs of the business.
• Risk/change management : understand the impact of change and the need to be purposeful in both communication and actions.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity: recognizing the global nature of our business and the need to be sensitive to various cultural norms and practices.
• Working independently / self-starter:  entrepreneurial by nature, understanding the size of the opportunity and the ability to influence and shape one’s future through proactive engagement and participation.
• Continuous learning: constantly seeking information and understanding, with the goal of establishing broader knowledge, insight and wisdom. Transitioning from the “what”, to the “why” and “how”
• Objectivity: ability to remain independent and objective. This includes adhering to the facts and standards and not being unduly influenced by operating management.

Experience:

• 5-15 years in an operational Quality & Food Safety role within a leading Food or Pharmaceutical manufacturing organization.
• Experience with implementation of Food Safety & quality assurance management system programs and activities (e.g. HACCP, GFSI, ISO9001 / 22000, FSSC-22000, SPC, continuous improvement methodologies etc.)
• Proven track record of driving quality performance as shown by key quality indicators such as defect rates, consumer complaints etc.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills (written, oral and presentation)
• Experience with comprehensive root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies.
• Understanding of importance of technical governance in delivering a quality product.
• Demonstrated evidence of critical thinking, logic, patience, reasoning, empathy, continuous learning and development.

Language Skills:

• Must be fluent in English (written and verbal)
• Ideal candidates are proficient in additional languages beyond local language.

Education:

Required

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry engineering or related technical field.

Desirable

• ISO-9001 Management system auditor certification.
• FSSC-22000, ISO-22000 or HACCP certification.
• Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) / Certified Quality Manager (CMQ/OE) or equivalent

Travel:  

Minimum 50 % International Travel

mainly within Europe and also in Eurasia, Middle East, Africa and beyond.

Skills
Leadership; Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA); Continual Improvement Process; Non-Conformance Reporting (NCR); Troubleshooting; Microbiology; Project Management; Food And Beverage (F&B); Food Safety And Quality Assurance (FSQA); Food Safety Management System; Supplier Quality Management; Taking Initiative; HACCP Food Safety; Compliance; Food Safety and Sanitation; ISO 9001; Food Safety Audits; Lean Six Sigma (LSS); Quality Management; Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)

Our Purpose and Growth Culture:
We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. When we collect your personal information as part of a job application or offer of employment, we do so in accordance with industry standards and best practices and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.