🚀 Quality Specialist

For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Quality Specialist

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Ways you will make a difference

• Develop and support implementation of Quality tools and platforms to drive transformation across the facilities
• Assist plant Quality and Intech teams with data analytics utilizing to process information
• Assess manufacturing activities to identify improvement opportunities
• Maintain standards of product consistency, adherence to critical control points, and sensory
• Create equipment and process specific training guides
• Promote and deploy sustainable continuous improvement activities, including: new launches, network moves, troubleshooting, and more
• Engage in hands-on collaboration with front-line factory associates
• Implement pilots (brand new innovations, network moves, etc), and continuous improvement plans through a project management leadership style
• Model, lead, and coach best continuous improvement and quality practices
• Engage, collaborate, and influence stakeholders to ensure support and adoption of continuous improvement strategy
• Complaints Reduction Projects
• Create first production job aids that close the gap between project and first production run
• Organize team-focused development events

Want to make an impact?

The Quality Specialist, Continuous Improvement collaborates cross functionally with Quality, InTech, Continuous Improvement, Engineering, and Factory Leadership to solve complex problems and lead implementation projects related to candy production. This new position provides leadership to all levels of Ferrara employees, focusing on process improvement, change management, and transformation, while acting as the liaison between several departments, all in service of ensuring the highest quality of our products.

Skills that will make you successful

• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Project management capabilities
• Excellent organizational skills
• Analytically minded
• Strong communication skills with ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization
• Collaboration with the ability to work with and lead cross-functional teams across all levels of the organization

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Science, or related field
• 1-3 years work experience in a manufacturing setting
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• MiniTab knowledge a plus
• Lean Manufacturing experience
• Continuous Improvement project implementation experience
• Six Sigma Experience (Certification preferred)
• Change Management skills with ability to influence organization culture change
• Knowledge of Quality Control Procedures
• Familiarity with GMP/HACCP

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we’re proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at

Compensation

$60,000-$70,000 a year

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at or

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

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