Jobs in Park Ridge, IL

About The Position

Requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality management systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal speaking skills.
• Detail oriented, accurate and excellent record keeping skills.
• Good judgement and decisiveness skills.
• Ability to read laboratory and scientific reports.
• Associate degree, a Bachelor of Food Science Degree preferred.
• HACCP certification required.
• 2 years of food manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Working knowledge of quality assurance tools, methods, and concepts.
• Project management skills.
• SQF and PCQI Certified preferred.
• Able to lift, push, or pull up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Able to stand, bend, lift, and move intermittently during shifts of 8+ hours.
• Comfortable working in cold temperature environments in a warehouse and cooler.
• Must be able and willing to work in refrigerated coolers and freezers.
• Lead and mentor 1-10 employees.
• Plans, assigns, and approves work.
• Report any food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
• Follow and uphold procedures outlined in the Food Safety Plan and the Food Quality Plan and any other programs that support the SQF system and other 3rd party programs/audits.
• Responsible for taking necessary action on all food safety and quality problems reported or observed.
• Ensure a trained designee is appointed to cover for absences or vacancies.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Food Science Degree preferred.
• SQF and PCQI Certified preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support QA Technicians and Specialists by providing training, guidance, scheduling support, and backup coverage during absences or staffing shortages.
• Adjust staffing schedules based on production and operational needs.
• Perform routine food safety and quality checks including weight verification, temperature monitoring, sleeving verification, receiving inspections, pre-operational and post-operational inspections, and project changeover swabbing.
• Review FSQA and production documentation daily to ensure accuracy, compliance, and completion.
• Responsible for holding and releasing questionable products or ingredients and making routine decisions regarding product deviations.
• Conduct and support internal audits and compliance programs including GMP, glass and brittle plastic inspections, environmental monitoring, monthly facility audits, mock recalls, and third-party audits.
• Lead site environmental monitoring programs, including selecting swab sites, collecting samples, coordinating third-party laboratory pickups, implementing corrective actions and filling out non conformance reports as needed.
• Assist the FSQA Manager in maintaining and continuously improving site food safety and quality systems, including SOP development, CAPA follow-up, customer complaint investigations, product testing projects, internal audits, and employee training for Production and FSQA teams.
• Maintain and enforce site FSQA programs and ensure company food safety and quality policies are consistently implemented and followed.
• Promote and support a strong food safety culture across the facility.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Production, Sanitation, Inventory, R&D, and Procurement on daily operations, troubleshooting, and special projects.
• Identify and maintain relationships with the customer service team to address customer inquiries and concerns.
• Conduct reviews of non-conforming material (raw and finished product) to ensure product control is maintained and corrective actions are developed.
• Document quality assurance activities and generate audit reports.
• Administer training and development programs on quality assurance / production team, including recall procedures and special SQF projects.
• Answer regulatory questions and support compliance requirements.
• Assists in establishing nutritional data in coordination with the Research and Development Group as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the FSQA Manager.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) & Sick Pay benefits
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage we really invest in
• 401k with match
• Free Tovala Smart Oven and discounted Tovala meals
• Paid holidays and our winter facility shutdown where the facility closes for a week around Christmas and New Years
• Various other perks - recognition programs, continued learning stipend, casual dress code, Tovala swag, etc.