Quality Control Lead - Niles IL

Job Summary

The Quality Control lead will be expected to drive investigation and collaborate with other teams, both internal and external, to determine root cause analysis and corrective actions on customer complaints, out of spec materials, and other issues as they arise. This position plays a vital role in the overall safety of the Quality Control lab and is responsible for managing the instruments/equipment, updating the lab SOPs as needed, training the lab users, and maintaining the lab inventory. The Quality Control lead will also be expected to travel to conduct or assist in conducting audits of contract facilities, as well as traveling to maintain relationships with comanufacturers and customers.

Responsibilities & Duties

 Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions in collaboration with production facilities to resolve consumer concerns or other production issues.

 Conduct or assist in conducting audits of contract facilities including raw material and finished goods production sites; attend production trials as appropriate as quality representative.

 Manage and mentor small team; maintain staff by orienting, training, and developing personal growth opportunities.

 Receive and maintain inventory of flavor production and finished good retention samples.

 Maintain analytical equipment performance by developing operations, quality, and troubleshooting procedures; ensuring staff compliance; arranging equipment service and repair.

 Maintain laboratory supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.

 Assist in maintenance of quality information system by identifying information needs and problems; recommending improvements; establishing priorities; testing; writing SOPs and ensuring availability at each workstation; training employees.

 Ensure users have been trained on the correct use of equipment; schedule and lead training for new users and retraining for lab users who need refresher training; track noncompliance with policies/procedures.

 Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

 Coordinate with Product Developers in setting of Finished Product Specifications when necessary; review specification data to ensure accuracy.

 Prepare and analyse samples as needed, including production and shelf-life extension approvals and for root cause analysis of out of specification samples.

o Conduct and record analytical tests such as pH, TA, Brix, SG, and particle size.

 Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Skills

 Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, Nutrition, or other related field.

 Attention to detail and strong organizational skills is highly important.

 Ability to manage processes and data.

 Experience in presenting and training to technical knowledge.

 Equipment maintenance capability.

 Knowledge of internal and 2nd/3rd party auditing.

 Ability to travel for audits and/or trials as necessary.

 4 years experience in a Quality role with increasing responsibilities

Desired Competencies/Qualifications:

 Experience in the food and beverage or flavor industry

 Experience with Quality Management Systems

 HACCP and PCQI certification.