Cluster Quality Lead at Mondelez International

Mondelez International, Inc. empowers people to snack right in over 160 countries around the world. We’re leading the future of snacking with iconic brands such as Oreo, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Bournvita, TomTom, Cloret, and Trident gum.  Our 90,000+ colleagues around the world are key to the success of our business. Great people and great brands. That’s who we are.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Cluster Quality Lead

Job Requisition id: R-146149
Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full Time (Hybrid)

Job Description

• You manage technical and scientific professionals responsible for initiation and execution of programs. This is a leadership role in cross-functional teams and regularly interacts with RDQ and cross-functional senior management.

How You Will Contribute

• You will lead regional and sub-regional teams to deliver on the quality strategy, providing sufficient resources and expertise to appropriate functions and locations.
• You will manage, lead, coach and develop a team of quality experts to execute regional and global quality programs, ensuring compliance with Mondelēz policies and procedures and adherence to external regional and local food safety/regulatory requirements in internal and external manufacturing locations and facilities.
• In this role, you will develop and report quality KPIs, applying your understanding of the impact regional KPIs have on the global business.
• In addition, you will facilitate communities of practice on quality related topics; represent the quality function at R&D meetings to ensure that sufficient resources and expertise are allocated to significant projects, and to ensure there are sufficient resources available so products meet design, food safety and quality policy requirements; identify quality enhancements and improvements across R&D and the supply chain; partner with technical groups such as food safety/micro and sanitation to ensure program compliance and enhancement, and; help manage special situations and early warnings with respect to plant investigations, root-cause analysis and follow-up for the SSMT, protecting Mondelēz’s interests and reputation.

What You Will Bring
A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career and the following experience and knowledge:

• Relevant experience in operations, quality and/or R&D
• Project management and managing multiple priorities
• Understanding of the commercial strategy process, product/package development process, food safety, plant commercialization, ingredient and package technology, coaching, and training in technical material
• Communication skills and leading cross-functional teams
• Statistical processes and problem-solving techniques
• Working with third-party manufacturers and suppliers to ensure compliance to Mondelēz International’s policies and procedures
• Working with customers on quality related issues
• Working with service-vendors’ technical equipment to support compliance

What you need to know about this position:
Quality and Food Safety Management:

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive Food Safety and Quality Management Systems across all Mondelēz International manufacturing (IM & EM) sites, co-packers, warehousing facilities, and distribution centers within West Africa. Ensure these systems are fully compliant with all company requirements as defined in the Quality and Compliance Management System (QCMS) framework.
• Actively conduct continuous verification of the compliance and effectiveness of implemented Quality systems, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), QCMS validation processes, and gap analyses. Proactively identify areas for improvement and ensure that systems are optimized for performance and risk mitigation.
• Ensure successful preparation for and execution of corporate Quality and Compliance Management System (QCMS) plant audits. Coordinate internal resources and documentation to facilitate smooth audits and achieve positive outcomes.
• Champion the integration of food safety considerations into all project activities by conducting thorough risk evaluations. Provide expert guidance and recommendations for effective risk mitigation and elimination strategies. Actively engage in resolving product-related special situations, offering technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
• Oversee quality assurance activities in local warehouses (both Mondelēz International-owned and external facilities) and re-packing operations. Implement robust monitoring systems to ensure adherence to quality standards and identify areas for improvement.
• Establish a regular monitoring system for Quality and Compliance Management Systems (QCMS), meticulously tracking performance metrics and identifying trends. Conduct thorough follow-up on issues identified during audits, ensuring that appropriate corrective actions are promptly implemented and effectively address root causes.
• Develop and execute comprehensive quality building programs with the trade, addressing key areas such as product freshness, management of trade returns, reduction of unsalable inventory, and enhancement of overall quality yield. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement these programs and track their effectiveness.

Continuous Improvement:

• Spearhead the continuous improvement process by identifying, developing, and implementing new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with evolving business needs and strategic objectives. Drive the adoption of these KPIs across manufacturing plants and monitor their impact on performance.
• Actively participate in and provide support for the implementation of Lean Six Sigma projects across the organization. Contribute technical expertise and insights to ensure successful project outcomes and drive continuous process optimization.
• Initiate and lead benchmarking activities, identifying and promoting the adoption of best practices across category and/or assigned plants. Conduct thorough analyses of industry standards and competitor practices to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Facilitate the seamless transfer of knowledge and best practices between regions, ensuring that lessons learned and successful initiatives are effectively shared and implemented. Apply benchmarking insights to drive continuous improvement and enhance performance across the organization.
• Drive continuous improvement across all quality-related aspects of Business Unit (BU) activities. Conduct in-depth analyses to identify key areas for improvement, and spearhead the implementation of quality building programs that drive tangible improvements in quality while simultaneously reducing costs.

Drive Efficiency:

• Lead supplier development activities, fostering strong relationships with key suppliers and driving continuous improvement in their quality performance. Effectively manage the supplier auditing target list, in close collaboration with Procurement, R&D, Plant Quality, and Corporate Auditing teams. Provide clear guidance to suppliers on quality requirements and track their progress towards achieving improvement goals.
• Participate in the assessment and selection process for external manufacturers, warehouses, distributors and co-packers, providing expert recommendations based on rigorous evaluations and risk assessments. Ensure that potential new partners adhere to Mondelēz International's stringent Quality and Food Safety standards, thereby safeguarding the quality of products manufactured under Mondelēz brands.

Build Quality Culture:

• Champion the implementation of the Quality Culture Program, fostering a culture of quality excellence throughout the organization. Communicate Quality Standards, Policies, and best practices effectively across all levels of the organization, ensuring that employees are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities in maintaining quality standards.
• Ensure the effective development and implementation of product and packaging attribute specifications for finished products, based on thorough analyses of consumer preferences, technical requirements, and regulatory guidelines. Ensure that these specifications are clearly communicated to relevant stakeholders and consistently adhered to throughout the production process. Establish and oversee the Daily Sensory Panel in manufacturing plants, ensuring that sensory evaluations are conducted regularly and that results are used to drive continuous improvement in product quality and sensory attributes.

Build Technical Capability:

• Uphold the highest standards of ethical and legal compliance, demonstrating unwavering integrity in all activities. Lead ethically, serving as a role model for compliant behavior and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. Cultivate an environment where employees feel empowered to speak up without fear of retaliation, ensuring that concerns are promptly addressed and resolved.
• Ensure that all employees within the area of responsibility fully understand the compliance responsibilities associated with their jobs, actively participating in compliance programs and promoting a culture of adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Identify training needs and develop targeted training programs to ensure that all employees have a thorough awareness and understanding of Mondelēz International Quality requirements. Ensure that effective training is delivered to all Business Unit (BU) functions and that employees complete required training in a timely manner.
• In conjunction with management, define the scope and process for completing Field Audits to monitor product quality at the store shelf. Drive the implementation of a robust system for conducting Field Audits, ensuring that results are thoroughly reviewed and that corrective actions are implemented to address any identified issues.
• Drive the implementation of a comprehensive traceability system, enabling the tracking of products from raw materials to finished goods. Conduct regular mock recalls to test the effectiveness of the traceability system and identify areas for improvement.

What extra ingredients you will bring:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in leading and collaborating across multiple and diverse functions and teams.
• Working knowledge of ISO-based system implementation and management.
• Strong planning and influencing skills.
• Technical expertise in quality assurance, food safety, and process improvement.
• Proven ability to reduce complexity using an analytical, disciplined, and collaborative approach.
• Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Highly articulate with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively work with and influence multiple stakeholders across different departments and regions.

Requirements
Education / Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Job specific requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Quality management, with a preference for 3+ years in a similar leadership role within the food industry.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing comprehensive business reporting and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• In-depth knowledge of quality management principles and practices, with specific expertise in Food Hygiene or related fields. Working knowledge of recognized quality management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000.
• Demonstrated experience in a collaborative working situation, considering diverse stakeholder viewpoints and building consensus.
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities, with a proven track record of effectively dealing with ambiguous situations and making sound decisions.

Travel requirements:

• Approximately 10% within West Africa with potential for occasional international travel for training, conferences, or benchmarking activities

Application Closing Date
24th August, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online