Product Quality Design Lead

Well Enterprises•Le Mars, IA

About The Position

The Quality Design Lead ensures FSQ is embedded across the entire product lifecycle — from early concept to industrialization and launch — by designing and continuously updating clear and actionable Product FSQ Specifications. This position supports innovation working closely with core functions such as R&D, Marketing, Legal, Packaging and all manufacturing sites. This role operates in a dynamic global environment, taking ownership of the FSQ perimeter for Ice Cream and contributing to Ferrero’s legacy portfolio as well as integration support for M&A’s. Along the stage & gate process, this role plays a key role in ensuring that Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) requirements are fully embedded, supporting a First Time Right approach throughout the development journey. Support all stages of the product innovation pipeline, working closely with Technical Category R&D (DTC) and other stakeholders to ensure that FSQ criteria are incorporated from the earliest phases of product design. Involvement in industrial trials and start of production will allow you to verify that safety and quality expectations are met under real world production conditions, ensuring alignment between design intent and industrial execution. Responsible for creating and maintaining Product FSQ Specifications for the Ice Cream category, defining the rules that production plants and partners must follow to meet FSQ standards. These specifications cover the entire value chain, from raw materials and process parameters to shelf life, sensory characteristics, and finished product attributes. Drive the continuous improvement of these documents by integrating learnings from plant audits, field operations, and consumer feedback, while actively collaborating with the relevant cross functional teams. Provide expertise when deviations from product specifications are requested and acts as a global point of contact in the event of nonconformities or incidents, supporting analysis and decision-making processes. Participates in governance discussions to ensure that FSQ perspectives are fully reflected in strategic choices. Lead the development and management of FSQ KPIs related to innovation and the Product FSQ Innovation dashboard, ensuring clear visibility on progress and performance across projects. Qualifications In addition to the responsibilities listed above, other duties may be assigned by your supervisor, as dictated by business necessity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in food technology, food science, chemistry, biology or a related discipline, supported by a solid academic foundation in food safety and product quality required.
8+ years of hands-on experience in the food industry, ideally within the ice cream sector.
Knowledge of regulatory, dairy ingredient and package requirements in relation to food quality and the distribution of frozen products.
Solid understanding of ice cream manufacturing and relevant quality tests.
Knowledge of audit practices and project management.
Skilled in specification development, data analysis, and food manufacturing and distribution systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Verbal and written communication/documentation skills.
Analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills needed to investigate, evaluate data and make recommendations for action.
Able to understand, train and execute quality policies.
Self-starter, able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
Ability to foster partnerships with internal/external customers.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Designing and continuously updating clear and actionable Product FSQ Specifications.
Supporting innovation working closely with core functions such as R&D, Marketing, Legal, Packaging and all manufacturing sites.
Taking ownership of the FSQ perimeter for Ice Cream and contributing to Ferrero’s legacy portfolio as well as integration support for M&A’s.
Ensuring that Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) requirements are fully embedded, supporting a First Time Right approach throughout the development journey.
Supporting all stages of the product innovation pipeline, working closely with Technical Category R&D (DTC) and other stakeholders to ensure that FSQ criteria are incorporated from the earliest phases of product design.
Verifying that safety and quality expectations are met under real world production conditions, ensuring alignment between design intent and industrial execution.
Creating and maintaining Product FSQ Specifications for the Ice Cream category, defining the rules that production plants and partners must follow to meet FSQ standards.
Driving the continuous improvement of these documents by integrating learnings from plant audits, field operations, and consumer feedback, while actively collaborating with the relevant cross functional teams.
Providing expertise when deviations from product specifications are requested and acts as a global point of contact in the event of nonconformities or incidents, supporting analysis and decision-making processes.
Participating in governance discussions to ensure that FSQ perspectives are fully reflected in strategic choices.
Leading the development and management of FSQ KPIs related to innovation and the Product FSQ Innovation dashboard, ensuring clear visibility on progress and performance across projects.