Join the Magic 

Our Mission 

At Puratos, we create innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. As the global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients, we help our customers to be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experiences from food cultures around the world into new opportunities. 

We have more than 10.000 employees in over 85 countries and a consolidated turnover of 3.1 billion euros (in 2023). Our passion for innovation, a pioneering spirit and the unique Puratos culture drive our solid growth and vision for the future This, along with our commitment to our local communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical. 

To strengthen our team in Groot Bijgaarden, we are looking for a: 

Quality Manager Cacao Trace  

Your Mission 

At Puratos, we are dedicated to establishing, managing, and maintaining a robust quality management system for cocoa that covers raw materials, finished products, outsourcing, processes, and services. Our mission is to ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality, in line with GFSI standards and customer requirements. We are committed to fostering a food safety and quality culture that aligns with Puratos Group standards and policies. 

As a Quality Manager for the Cacao-Trace program, you will play a vital role in supporting and reinforcing Cacao-Trace specifications and requirements on quality and foods safety. You will delve deep into the roots of harvesting, processing and transporting cocoa, embracing the entire process from farm to factory. Your expertise will drive sustainability and social responsibility within the Cacao-Trace program, bringing valuable knowledge to the local and global farmers and chocolate community. Your adventurous spirit will take you to cocoa plantations, even in remote jungle locations, to ensure firsthand understanding and quality control of the entire supply chain process. 

Key Accountabilities 

Quality Assurance 

• Develop and maintain a food safety and quality manual, and product specifications, ensuring compliance with local regulations, Puratos Group standards, GFSI standards, and customer requirements. 

• Support and enhance Cacao-Trace standards and coordinate the rollout of best practices and specifications across all Cacao-Trace sourcing units. 

• Monitor legislation and regulations related to cocoa. 

• Serve as the main contact for Puratos Group risk manager regarding claims against cocoa suppliers. 

• Conduct GMP, internal, and supplier audits for raw materials, packaging, and outsourced activities. 

• Track and report quality KPIs for each Cacao-Trace sourcing unit. 

• Develop and implement a risk-based food safety monitoring plan and an environmental sampling plan for cocoa and cocoa processing plants. 

• Understand food safety risks in the cocoa supply chain and continuously improve Cacao-Trace sourcing flows to comply with food safety regulations. 

• Ensure full traceability of the supply chain, and collaborate with sourcing, purchasing, and R&D to implement traceability tools. 

• Define and implement quality control inspection points for cocoa beans, including certification documentation, and standardize these across all Cacao-Trace sourcing units. 

Raw Materials & Packaging 

• Lead risk assessments and food fraud prevention for cocoa products and their primary packaging. Monitor market trends and develop scientific knowledge on raw materials and packaging functionality to improve purchase specifications and incoming goods inspections. 

• Oversee the approval and validation of new suppliers, raw materials, packaging materials, and subcontractors. 

• Coordinate raw materials and packaging meetings to align all relevant departments (e.g., purchase, R&D, production, supply chain, and quality) and standardize specifications across all Cacao-Trace sourcing units. 

• Develop and implement a risk-based supplier audit plan covering all aspects of the quality management system. 

Who are we looking for? 

• A master’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience in the food industry, ideally with cocoa, raw materials, or packaging. 

• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French and Spanish is a plus. 

• Strong communication skills (internal, intercompany, and external), with a proactive and assertive approach. 

• Excellent negotiation skills for dealing with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and subcontractors. 

• A team player with a hands-on and continuous improvement mindset. 

• Strong organizational and transversal coordination skills. 

• Willingness to travel 20-30% of the time, including remote tropical and subtropical locations were cacao plantations are for firsthand quality control and understanding of cocoa plantations. 

What you can expect from Puratos? 

You will join a fast-growing, stable family business that has become an international market leader with a corporate culture in which innovation and entrepreneurship are part of our main priorities. You will benefit from a great deal of freedom in your work, with plenty of room for initiative. 

We at Puratos cultivate an inclusive global workplace, that fully embraces diversity and equal 

opportunities for all. We strive to reflect the richness of our customers, communities and society, accelerating our ability to innovate and deliver on our commitments. 

You will be welcomed in a dynamic work environment where passion for innovation, team spirit and continuous improvement are key. You can count on a competitive salary package with attractive benefits such as: 

• Meal vouchers (8€/day) 

• Group, dental and hospitalization insurance fully paid by Puratos 

• Company Car 

• 13th month pay 

• Minimum 5 training days per year 

• Responsibilities and the possibility to take ownership of your work 

Watch our corporate movie and feel the Puratos Magic: 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNRsBzuRlNI  

Working at Puratos is choosing a Top Employer in Belgium. 

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