Manager, s, Licensing, And Customer Quality

Position: Manager, Premiums, Licensing, And Customer Quality
At WK Kellogg Co, we exist to create joy and connection to inspire Gr-r-reat days. We believe that doing good is always good for business and we have stood for this since Kellogg Company was founded more than 120 years ago. We are passionate about doing our part to make nutritious foods, create social connectivity and respect natural resources. Together, these actions create positive progress for people and the planet - today and for years to come.

We have big plans for how we are going to accomplish this, and we would love for you to join us in this effort.

JOB OVERVIEW

Leads quality and safety programs for premiums and licensed products (merchandise and food), ensuring regulatory compliance, protecting brand integrity, and minimizing business risk. Serves as the central customer quality interface, providing technical expertise and issue resolution to support strong customer relationships.

This is an in-office role based in our Battle Creek, Michigan Corporate Headquarters.

15-20% travel required, including international supplier and manufacturing site visits

Combination of office and manufacturing environments

Ability to support global programs across time zones and respond to urgent quality or safety issues as needed

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

* Internal Stakeholders:

Marketing & Promotions, Procurement, Corporate & Site Quality, Packaging Engineering, Logistics, Innovation, Package Planning, Plant Operations, Consumer Affairs, Sales, Wellbeing & Regulatory

* External Stakeholders:

Premium & Licensing agencies, suppliers, test laboratories, global manufacturing partners, third-party licensees, audit providers, and Customers (e.g., Walmart, Costco, etc.)

* Role Influence:

Serves as the technical authority for premiums and licensing quality and safety, influencing cross-functional decision-making across global programs without direct authority. Point of contact for quality-related Customer contacts.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Program Leadership

* Own and lead global quality and safety programs for premiums and licensed products across all markets.

* Ensure consistent application of WK Kellogg standards and regulatory requirements.

* Primary point of contact for quality-related Customer complaints and document requests.

Technical & Risk Oversight

* Lead hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies for premium products

* Safeguard against product recalls and regulatory non-compliance through proactive risk management

Program Leadership

* Own and lead global quality and safety programs for premiums and licensed products across all markets.

* Ensure consistent application of WK Kellogg standards and regulatory requirements.

* Primary point of contact for quality-related Customer complaints and document requests.

Technical & Risk Oversight

* Lead hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies for premium products

* Safeguard against product recalls and regulatory non-compliance through proactive risk management

Supplier & Product Approval

* Approve suppliers, manufacturing specifications, and testing protocols

Testing & Compliance Management

* Design and oversee laboratory testing programs to validate product safety and quality

* Monitor results and ensure adherence to global regulatory and internal standards

Issue Resolution & Continuous Improvement

* Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for quality and safety issues

* Develop science-based solutions to drive continuous improvement and reduce risk

Stakeholder & Customer Interface

* Serve as the primary point of contact for customer quality inquiries related to premiums and licensing

* Responsible for managing documentation repository for Customers

* Provide technical guidance to support resolution of issues impacting customer relationships and brand reputation

* Triage customer quality requests and provide timely, appropriate responses.

Financial Accountability

* Manage safety testing budgets associated with promotional activities (approximately $50K - $100K annually)

QUALIFICATIONS

* Bachelor's degree in a technical field (e.g., Chemistry, Packaging Engineering, Food Science) or equivalent experience

* 7-10+ years of experience in quality, supplier management, product safety, or related technical field

* Demonstrated experience in:

* Supplier qualification and quality systems

* Product safety testing and compliance

* Root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions

* Strong understanding of:

* Consumer goods manufacturing (e.g., food, toys, apparel, packaging)

* Global regulatory and safety requirements

* Preferred:

* Experience with premiums, licensing, or promotional products

* Exposure to global manufacturing and supplier networks

* Customer Focus, technical judgment in product safety and quality, risk assessment and decision-making, cross-functional influence without direct authority, regulatory interpretation and application, problem-solving and root cause analysis, effective stakeholder communication

Salary Range: $110,800-$138,500

Salary pay ranges…