Global Senior Quality Specialist - Sanitation & Microbiology

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: Westchester, IL

Workplace type: Hybrid

Are you passionate about driving global quality excellence in microbiology, sanitation, and hygiene? As a Global Senior Quality Specialist at Ingredion, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and sustaining world-class programs and protocols that safeguard product integrity and operational hygiene across all our global facilities. You will serve as a strategic leader and subject matter expert, ensuring our sanitation and microbiological standards not only meet but exceed global expectations.

As a Global Senior Quality Specialist, you will be responsible for creating and upholding programs and protocols to ensure the highest standards of microbiology, sanitation, and hygiene across all Ingredion plants worldwide.

This role report to the Director of Internal Global Quality

What you will do: 

Establish and maintain a robust global Quality Management System (QMS/IPS) focused on sanitation and hygiene.

Ensure compliance with international standards and customer-specific requirements through proactive risk identification and mitigation.

Lead the evaluation and continuous improvement of sanitation processes to enhance microbial safety, efficiency, and regulatory alignment.

Develop and implement global training standards to build sanitation and hygiene capabilities across teams.

Stay current with emerging trends and technologies in sanitation to drive innovation and maintain industry leadership.

Collaborate with microbiologists, engineers, and regulatory experts to align sanitation practices with broader quality and operational goals.

Support the Quality team by customizing KPIs, optimizing data visualization, and enabling quick access to actionable insights.

What you will bring: 

Drive improvements in the Micro FPC KPI by leading root cause analyses (RCAs) and implementing corrective actions in microbiology, sanitation, and hygiene practices.

Bring a minimum of 5 years of experience in operational, technical, or plant quality roles, including at least 2 years focused on micro, sanitation, and hygiene.

Demonstrate strong troubleshooting skills in resolving microbiological, sanitation, and hygiene-related issues across manufacturing environments.

Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and build positive relationships across all levels of the operations organization and external partners.

Utilize advanced computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Minitab, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems and tools.

Who you are: 

Serve as the global subject matter expert and key resource for Microbiology, Sanitation, and Hygiene, providing strategic guidance and technical leadership across regions.

Lead the quality approval process for global microbiological methods and specifications, ensuring consistency, compliance, and scientific rigor.

Drive global initiatives to improve microbial performance and regulatory compliance, leading cross-functional efforts to elevate sanitation and hygiene standards worldwide.

Why Join Ingredion? 

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success

Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being

Flexible Work Arrangements – We value flexibility to support you both professionally and personally

Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement

Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally