ICE CREAM Food Safety Specialist (Contaminants)

ICE CREAM is hiring for Food Safety Expert

Location: Netherlands HQ (Amsterdam)

Local conditions apply

Full-time/Part-time

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

If you are in the Unilever Ice Cream business or consider choosing to work for the Unilever Ice Cream business, you will work for the Global, leading Ice Cream player with €7.9bn Turn Over in 2023. The Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of top 10 selling brands including Wall’s, Magnum, Ben &Jerry’s. We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025.

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. As Ice Cream company we are committed to developing and nurturing talent within our Ice Cream company. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you for you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organisation. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company. We hope that you will want to build the new chapter of our Ice Cream history together with us.

ABOUT ICE CREAM: Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream

Unilever Ice Cream is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of over $8 billion. All brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win.

We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences. In our Ice Cream business, we’re crafting the future through innovation and imaginative minds, creating unique products. We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. However, it is not as simple as it may seem. As Ice Cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products.

JOB PURPOSE:

Quality is a key driver of competitive advantage in the Ice Cream business. Food Safety Expert plays a crucial role in embedding a strong culture of quality within the business unit, ensuring every product delivers the best experience and delights our consumers.

In this role, you will lead the expertise in the Contaminant Program within the business group (BG), ensuring compliance with the Food Safety Program. You will develop contaminant procedures aligned with local legislation, lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions (CAPA), and promote a continuous improvement culture. You will drive supply chain efficiency, stay updated on industry trends, and implement best practices. Additionally, you will deploy and monitor BG Quality OKRs related to food safety, use data analytics to prevent issues, and lead digital transformation in contaminant management. You will identify potential contaminants, conduct risk assessments, lead training programs, ensure transparent stakeholder communication, and manage crises related to product incidents.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead expertise (Contaminant Program) in the BG, driving and ensuring compliance with the Food Safety Program. 

• Develop contaminant procedures for BG/BU/factories aligned with local legislation requirements. 

• Lead and participate in root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective & preventive action (CAPA) at the BG level and support the BU team. 

• Capture lessons learned and feed them back internally, promoting a no-fault-forward and continuous improvement quality culture (BG/BU). 

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain, optimizing efficiency and reducing defects related to food safety. 

• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to implement best practices in SC and laboratories. 

• Deploy BG Quality OKRs related to food safety (Contaminant Program) and monitor ongoing progress and performance promptly. 

• Apply data analytics to predict and prevent potential food safety issues before they occur, improving overall food safety management. 

• Lead a digital transformation in expertise (E2E Contaminant Program). 

• Identify all potential contaminants in raw materials, ingredients, and finished goods. Conduct risk assessments to determine the likelihood and severity of contaminant contamination. 

• Lead training programs related to contaminants in BG/BU. 

• Stakeholder communication: Provide transparency in reporting and documentation to build trust and compliance. 

• Crisis management: Be the product incident management member in case of marketplace incidents and analyze the consumer safety risk or brand reputation at the BG/BU level. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

SKILLS:

• Strong leadership: A proven leader who is committed and enthusiastic 

• Ruthless prioritization: ability to navigate between the many tasks and being able to ruthlessly prioritize those activities that are most important/urgent. 

• Analytical skills: utilize data analysis tools to monitor quality metrics, identify trends, and implement corrective actions to improve overall product quality. 

• Auditing skills: a clear understanding and ability to assess and act upon product safety, quality, efficacy, and compliance risks. 

• Effective Communication and stakeholder management: ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels. 

• Proactive approach: Anticipating potential quality issues, implementing preventive measures, and continuously seeking opportunities for improvement. 

EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and standards: Ensuring compliance with regulations such as c GMP, HACCP, FSSC22000, and local food labeling requirements. 

• Proven experience in quality management within Food companies, supplier quality management, and manufacturing process 

• Strong knowledge and experience with Foods Contaminants 

• At least 10 – 15 years of relevant experience in quality / R&D. 

• Experience in virtual teamwork. 

LEADERSHIP: 

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way. 

• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better. 

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors 

• PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions. 

• PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience. 

• CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers. 

• PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever. 

• AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills. 

WHAT DOES UNILEVER OFFER/WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.

• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.  For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).

• Home work allowance

•   Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.  

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

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