Quality Senior Lead - External Manufacturing

Aspen Enterprises LTD•Gonzales, TX

1d•$80,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Quality Senior Lead – Co-manufacturing owns quality systems, governance, and partner relationships across Finlays Solutions’ third-party manufacturing network, including co-manufacturers, co-packers, warehouses, roasters, and blenders. The role ensures external sites meet quality, food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements and maintains a standardized, risk-aware co-manufacturing program. It combines hands-on quality leadership with strategic ownership of systems and processes, including creating structure where workflows are immature or ambiguous. This hybrid position is based out of the Glenview, Illinois office and requires regular onsite presence. Routine travel to co-manufacturing sites is required, approximately 30%, with flexibility for production-driven schedules. The role collaborates across R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Site QA, regulatory, and customer support teams, and serves as the quality representative for co-manufactured products and customer engagements. The salary range is $80,000–$90,000 annually. Individual pay depends on work location and factors such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The compensation package includes a choice of medical, vision, and dental plans, a quarterly incentive bonus, paid time off, parental leave, bereavement leave, and a 401(k) for eligible employees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a science-based or food-industry-related field.
Formal training or certifications in HACCP, FSMA/PCQI, and auditing.
At least 5 years of experience in Quality, Food Safety, or Technical roles within food manufacturing, with direct supplier quality, co-manufacturing, or external manufacturing oversight experience.
Ability to independently plan, conduct, and report supplier audits and follow through on findings; auditing experience is non-negotiable.
Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements, food safety legislation, and quality system standards.
Direct experience with suppliers, co-manufacturers, or warehouses.
Strong communication skills, including confidence leading group discussions and synthesizing technical information into clear business recommendations.
Ability to establish trust, influence without authority, and represent Finlays professionally and confidently.
Advanced problem-solving and risk-assessment skills, including identifying issues early, escalating appropriately, and driving resolution.
Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, create structure in ambiguous environments, and communicate progress proactively.
Customer-focused approach and ability to balance customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and operational realities.
Willingness and ability to travel routinely approximately 30%, including flexibility for production-driven schedules.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort with digital systems, portals, and documentation platforms.
Ability to work autonomously after onboarding, coordinate work, communicate updates, and manage travel and partner interactions independently.
Chicago-area based, with ability to work hybrid from the Glenview office as needed for collaboration, product work, or lab-adjacent tasks.
Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled hours during peak periods or critical operations.
Adequate vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to meet essential job performance and safety standards.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and detailed hand work.
Ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds frequently and handle heavier items with proper lifting equipment or team-assisted techniques.
Ability to work in elevated positions up to 50 feet and in limited or cramped spaces, following safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Better Process Control School training.
Microbiology or product development exposure.
Experience building or managing quality systems for external manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

Develop and govern quality and food safety management systems for U.S.-based third-party manufacturing supporting Finlays Solutions.
Standardize quality expectations and ensure consistent application of Finlays requirements across co-manufacturers and other external partners.
Establish workflows, documentation, and governance where processes are immature or ambiguous.
Develop and execute QA/QC programs, including specifications, analytical testing plans, and verification protocols.
Collaborate with R&D and Operations to define critical-to-quality parameters and food safety requirements for products and processes.
Ensure regulatory and customer compliance by working with co-manufacturers and relevant authorities.
Lead non-conformance investigations, including customer complaints, and ensure timely escalation and closure.
Perform basic analytical analysis as needed to confirm compliance or investigate product issues.
Own onboarding of new co-manufacturers in alignment with Finlays’ Supplier Management Program.
Conduct onsite audits and maintain ongoing compliance monitoring.
Champion sustainability requirements related to co-manufactured products.
Build trust-based relationships with external partners and represent Finlays as a credible quality leader.
Serve as the quality representative for co-manufactured products.
Manage customer documentation, including specifications, certifications, and process information.
Lead customer quality engagements, including technical meetings, complaint resolution, and improvement initiatives.
Ensure regulatory and portal accuracy in partnership with regulatory and customer support teams.
Represent Quality on project teams and embed quality and food safety from development through commercialization.
Identify and escalate risks proactively, providing clear recommendations and business-relevant context.
Coordinate independently across R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Site QA to drive aligned outcomes.
Follow Good Manufacturing Practices, allergen control, food defense, HACCP, SQF, regulatory requirements, and health and safety practices.
Ensure visitor, contractor, and customer presence is documented on each facility visit.
Report food safety and quality issues to management immediately.
Share quality and food safety knowledge across functions, handle customer complaints professionally, and participate in continuous improvement programs.