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Product Quality Design Lead at Wells Enterprises in Le Mars, IA
Skills
Job Description
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.
Company: Wells Enterprises (a Ferrero Company)
Functional Area: Quality
The Role
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.
What You’ll Do
- 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.
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Qualifications
What You’ll Bring
- 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. Master’s degree preferred.
- 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.
- Verbal and written communication/documentation skills.
- Analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills needed to investigate, evaluate data and make recommendations for action.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- 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.
- Reports to – Sr. Manager Product Quality Design
- Direct Reports – N/A
- Indirect Reports – N/A
Wells Enterprises is an EEO/AA employer M/F/Vet/Dis
About the Company
Wells Enterprises, a Ferrero company, is one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in the United States and the maker of well-loved brands including Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics and today Trolli, Butterfinger 100grand, Baby Ruth, Nutella and Kinder Bueno.
Wells Enterprises is a 2 billion company employing 4,000 employees, across 4 production plants and 2 main hub locations, Chicago and Le Mars. Guided by innovation, quality, and a people-first mindset, Wells is committed to delighting consumers and developing exceptional teams.
As part of the Ferrero Group, Wells combines its strong U.S. heritage with Ferrero’s global standards of excellence, offering a unique opportunity to grow within a dynamic, values-driven, and international environment.
At Wells, our people—and their experience—sit at the heart of our ambition. Learn more at www.wellsenterprisesinc.com.
What We Offer
At Wells, 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 incentive bonus based on Company performance. Learn more about our benefits here.