SPSC Quality Specialist

Corteva Agriscience is hiring a Quality Assurance Specialist for the Seed platform in Des Moines, IA. The role involves implementing and maintaining the quality management system across North America seed operations, collaborating with stakeholders, conducting training, and leading quality improvement projects. The ideal candidate should possess expertise in seed production and quality management, as well as strong problem-solving and communication skills.
Corteva Agriscience is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist for the Seed platform for the North America region. The Quality Assurance Specialist works in conjunction with the Global Quality Assurance & Improvement Leader and other QA Specialists to help drive the implementation of the quality management system and quality improvements across the region in Seed Operations. This will be focused on production locations in the region to facilitate customer focus, stakeholder interaction, risk management, and waste reduction. The position requires strong communication with a diverse group of stakeholders, building collaboration, and seeking a broad range of perspectives for implementing solutions. The ideal candidate provides seed production and Quality Management System expertise along with solution-focused problem-solving skills.Responsibilities:Drives the regional implementation of the Corteva Quality Management System (QMS) and ensures that quality policies, requirements, work processes, tools and training are implemented and maintained. Uses outputs from management system data to identify areas for improvement and connects with stakeholders to work toward resolution.Collaborates with and is a resource for North America SPSC locations to ensure the consistent implementation of work processes, policies, procedures for the quality management system in the region.Conduct training in the region regarding quality policies and procedures. Examples including but not limited to: incident management policy, reporting and including corrective action, Quality incident management, etc.Monitor, compile, and distribute quality metrics that identify opportunities for improvement and involve relevant stakeholders to ensure improvements occur. Metrics may include audit findings, non-conforming product, and customer complaints.Participate and/or lead Quality improvement projects within the region.Collaborate across regions to provide consistency and leveraging of best practices.Member of the Global SPSC QA Network and actively represents the region and or/global team on projects to ensure harmonization and standardization across regions.Responsible for regional reporting and global alignment of quality metrics, including incidents, with analysis and improvements identified and implemented. Quality Incident Response Team Leader (IRTL) for significant issues within the region, and conducts/assists with Root Cause Analysis when necessary. Prepares Learning Experience Reports (LER’s) for significant incidents to enable sharing and implementation of management system corrective actions. Conducts regional and site reviews of quality incidents. Supports completion of quality management system reviews (MSR) at the site level (Tier 3) and drives improvement in the region. Responsible for conducting the regional MSR (Tier 2).Ensure quality management system is in place to meet product launch requirements in SPSC and to meet accreditation requirements.Effectively partners with Commercial, Seed Production and Supply Chain, R&D, and Regional leadership to meet customer needs. Provides input to the regional audit plan aligned to the Corteva monitoring strategy to optimize global auditing resources, expertise, and business risk prioritization. May also conduct audits, assist with audits, or provide training to potential future auditors.Facilitate/lead a regional Quality Focal Point Network that will be utilized to advance quality initiatives, auditing, and learnings across sites.Duties may be split or shared with another QA Specialist within the region.Competencies:Customer Focus: Engaged to provide product within specifications and best service to customers and solve potential issues. Drives the implementation of the global quality management system at internal sites to ensure the quality policies, work processes and tools are effective to reduce significant customer issues, building customer satisfaction and loyalty. Balances Stakeholders: Builds internal stakeholder relationships and identifies and adapts to emerging needs to benefit as many stakeholders and customers as possible.Collaborates: Promotes a culture of collaboration building trust across the internal sites and Corteva teams in the region, seeking a broad range of perspectives in leading initiatives, formulating solutions, and developing regional implementation strategies.Drives Results: Identifies and leads elimination of the obstacles to deliver positive business performance. Leads efforts to identify KPIs and achieve targets.Ensures Accountability: Responsible for regional reporting of quality metrics, including incidents, with analysis and improvements. Promotes cross functional team culture to ensure success by bringing the outside in.Cultivates Innovation: Fosters a climate that supports allocated resources to be creative and innovative, leading to implement breakthrough ideas and solutions.Required Qualifications:Minimum of a scientific, agricultural, or engineering bachelor’s degree with focus in agronomy, engineering, quality assurance, chemistry, biology, or life sciences.8+ years total industry experience with direct experience in the agricultural industry.Knowledge of the principles and practical applications associated with seed production operations. Ability to use metrics to guide continuous improvement of the quality management system.A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) processPosition will be located in Johnston, Iowa, onsite with a hybrid (60% in-person, 40% remote) working model. Travel will be occasionally required, and on-site time at production locations required intermittently as well.Preferred Qualifications:Experience with Quality Management Systems and/or Seed Production and Supply Chain.Demonstrated ability to lead teams to ensure alignment with demonstrated objectives and company goals/policies.Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence outside the workgroup that enhance the performance of the teams.An ability to think ‘out of the box’ to develop novel, creative solutions for quality assurance challenges.Six Sigma and/or Lean certification.Experience and understanding of how to conduct investigations and/or Root Cause Analysis.Experience leading or contributing to a continuous improvement project.Understanding project management, including scoping, as it pertains to time and Return On Investment (ROI).Experience leading audits and/or Certified Quality Auditor.Benefits – How We’ll Support You:Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skillsBe part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better placeHealth benefits for you and your family on your first day of employmentFour weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidaysExcellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and fatherFuture planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement programLearn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva BenefitsCheck out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/lifeAre you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.