Quality Assurance Manager - USDA/HACCP/SQF

Quality Assurance Manager

Our client is a family-owned manufacturer of premium packaged meat and poultry products, serving several well-known retailers and organizations across the food industry. The company takes great pride in delivering high-quality protein products with a strong commitment to sustainable and humane sourcing practices. Just as importantly, they have built their business around long-term relationships with their customers and employees. They are based on Chicago's near Southwest Side, conveniently located just off I-55.

Job Description

Identify and implement training requirements for facility personnel to ensure employees have the competencies necessary to support product quality, legality, and food safety.

Oversee customer service activities, including order entry, customer satisfaction, customer communications, and coordination with Sales, Production, Laboratory, Regulatory, and Quality teams. Resolve critical customer complaints as needed.

Maintain knowledge of SQF Code requirements and support the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the facility's SQF System.

Establish and maintain incoming material inspection criteria and procedures.

Develop, review, and manage packaging specifications, Bills of Materials, and other operational documentation.

Monitor SQF programs through verification, validation, audits, inspections, and recordkeeping to maintain compliance. Conduct monthly facility, internal, and GMP audits and ensure corrective actions are completed.

Lead Food Safety and HACCP meetings and communicate SQF requirements, procedures, and controls across departments.

Partner with management to develop and maintain company policies, SOPs, objectives, and food safety and quality initiatives.

Serve as the facility's Substitute SQF Practitioner and Substitute HACCP Coordinator.

Work with Sanitation to maintain and improve sanitation procedures, the Master Sanitation Schedule, and SSOPs to support effective hygienic conditions.

Oversee the QA Microbiology Program and coordinate testing and activities with external laboratories.

Develop and maintain workplace safety and quality assurance procedures and provide training to support company needs and initiatives.

Assist the Regulatory Compliance Manager with food safety, quality, and regulatory certification audits and related corrective actions.

Track non-conformances and corrective action plans, ensuring timely resolution and closure.

Establish team and individual performance expectations, monitor productivity, and support employee development and career planning.

Oversee pest control activities, including monitoring, documentation, exclusion, and treatment programs.

Train employees on GMPs, HACCP, SDS/MSDS requirements, and allergen controls.

Supervise and provide leadership to QA personnel, including QA Supervisors and QA Leads.

Review and disposition product and participate in change control activities.

Perform other duties as assigned or required by business needs.

In the absence of the Quality Assurance Manager, assume 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

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

What's on Offer

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!