Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Our client is a family-owned producer of premium packaged meat and poultry products, supplying leading retailers and food industry partners across the market. The company is committed to delivering high-quality protein products through responsible sourcing practices while fostering long-term relationships with customers and employees alike. Located on Chicago's southwest side near I-55, they have built a strong reputation for quality, integrity, and customer service.

The role involves identifying and implementing training requirements for facility personnel to ensure employees have the competencies necessary to support product quality, legality, and food safety. Overseeing customer service activities, including order entry, customer satisfaction, customer communications, and coordination with Sales, Production, Laboratory, Regulatory, and Quality teams. Maintaining knowledge of SQF Code requirements and supporting the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the facility's SQF System. Establishing and maintaining incoming material inspection criteria and procedures. Developing, reviewing, and managing packaging specifications, Bills of Materials, and other operational documentation. Monitoring SQF programs through verification, validation, audits, inspections, and recordkeeping to maintain compliance. Conducting monthly facility, internal, and GMP audits and ensuring corrective actions are completed. Leading Food Safety and HACCP meetings and communicating SQF requirements, procedures, and controls across departments. Partnering with management to develop and maintain company policies, SOPs, objectives, and food safety and quality initiatives. Serving as the facility's Substitute SQF Practitioner and Substitute HACCP Coordinator. Working with Sanitation to maintain and improve sanitation procedures, the Master Sanitation Schedule, and SSOPs to support effective hygienic conditions. Overseeing the QA Microbiology Program and coordinating testing and activities with external laboratories. Developing and maintaining workplace safety and quality assurance procedures and providing training to support company needs and initiatives. Assisting the Regulatory Compliance Manager with food safety, quality, and regulatory certification audits and related corrective actions. Tracking non-conformances and corrective action plans, ensuring timely resolution and closure. Establishing team and individual performance expectations, monitoring productivity, and supporting employee development and career planning. Overseeing pest control activities, including monitoring, documentation, exclusion, and treatment programs. Training employees on GMPs, HACCP, SDS/MSDS requirements, and allergen controls. Supervising and providing leadership to QA personnel, including QA Supervisors and QA Leads. Reviewing and dispositioning product and participating in change control activities. Performing other duties as assigned or required by business needs. In the absence of the Quality Assurance Manager, assuming applicable responsibilities as designated by management.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The successful applicant will have 5+ years of experience in a similar USDA environment, with quality supervision or leadership. Ability to interact and comply with USDA personnel. Understanding of SQF and HACCP. SQF/HACCP Certifications are a big plus. Experience in audits tied to food manufacturing. Experience in a cold/wet room environment. Understanding of Critical Control Points (CCP). Ability to create and track quality KPIs and data to leadership. English/Spanish Bilingual a plus. Relevant Bachelors degree preferred. R&D or Food Science background preferred.

Salary range 85,000-105,000 depending on experience and interviews, some flexibility. Bonus structure. BCBS medical plans. Dental/Vision plans. 12+ days of PTO. 4% 401k match. More!