Quality Lead

Job Description

The Quality Control Lead oversees quality control activities for batches, finished goods, and raw materials in a food manufacturing environment. This role ensures products meet all specifications, maintains rigorous sanitation and documentation standards, supports audits and certifications, and serves as a key resource for training and guiding quality technicians. The position offers strong opportunities for professional development, exposure to a wide variety of products, and the chance to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate batches, finished goods, and raw materials to ensure they meet established quality specifications and standards.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all quality control activities and generate certificates of analysis for internal and customer use.
• Coordinate and oversee equipment sanitation and swab testing to verify cleanliness and compliance with food safety requirements.
• Conduct in-house sanitation audits and participate in customer sanitation audits to demonstrate adherence to regulatory and customer standards.
• Initiate, update, and maintain set-up sheets to support consistent and compliant production processes.
• Serve as back-up to the QC Supervisor, providing leadership and support to the quality team as needed.
• Calibrate and verify laboratory equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability of test results.
• Arrange delivery and shipment of samples to external laboratories for additional testing when required.
• Participate actively in internal and external audits and support special quality or process improvement projects.
• Perform daily checks on scales and metal detectors to confirm proper function and compliance with critical control points.
• Assess production lines regularly to verify that quality procedures and GMP guidelines are being followed.
• Investigate customer complaints by reviewing processes, product data, and test results, and support implementation of corrective actions.
• Audit sanitation practices for blending and production equipment to ensure thorough and effective cleaning.
• Assist in operations and administrative tasks related to quality control and production documentation.
• Support the maintenance of Kosher and Halal certifications by reviewing processes, documentation, and product requirements.
• Review ingredients and finished products for age and shelf-life to ensure only compliant materials are used and shipped.
• Participate in recall and mock recall procedures to ensure readiness and compliance with regulatory expectations.
• Research, propose, and help implement continuous improvement initiatives in quality, sanitation, and production processes.
• Enter production and quality data accurately into the database system and maintain organized digital records.
• Train and support quality technicians, sharing best practices and ensuring consistent application of quality procedures.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience in quality control in the food industry or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience in food manufacturing environments and familiarity with production processes.
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines.
• Experience with quality control and quality assurance principles in a regulated environment.
• Understanding of HACCP and critical control points in food safety systems.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Naperville, IL.

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $27.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Naperville,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $24 - $27