Director of Quality Assurance

CPS, Inc.; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS, Inc. in Illinois seeks a Director of Quality Assurance to provide strategic and operational leadership for quality systems, regulatory compliance, food safety programs, and document control across multiple production facilities.

This role partners with Operations and R&D to uphold the highest standards of product quality and food safety. Responsibilities include leading QA and compliance functions, maintaining SQF certification, CAPA, audits, and regulatory inspections (FDA/USDA).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related discipline.
• 6+ years of progressive Quality Assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Proven success leading QA teams in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong knowledge of FSMA, SQF, FDA, USDA, HACCP, and third-party certification programs.
• Experience managing regulatory inspections, certification audits, CAPA systems, and document control processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using quality management or ERP software.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for QA, Quality Compliance, and Document Control across multiple production facilities.
• Plan, coordinate, and participate in audits to ensure compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Maintain and improve the SQF program, including SOPs.
• Direct all SQF certification activities with Operations leadership.
• Lead the organization's CAPA program across all manufacturing sites.
• Manage compliance with regulatory agencies and third-party certification programs (FDA, USDA, Kosher, Halal, Organic, etc.).
• Oversee creation, revision, approval, and control of quality documentation and SOPs.
• Support implementation and training of quality management and ERP software systems.
• Travel to manufacturing locations as needed to support quality initiatives and audits.
• Collaborate with Operations to promote a strong food safety culture and FSMA compliance.
• Supervise QA personnel, laboratory leadership, document control staff, and QA technicians; recruit and coach staff.
• Review and approve manufacturing process changes for ongoing compliance.
• Direct document control processes to maintain accurate quality records.
• Develop and distribute monthly QA reports and performance metrics.
• Partner with R&D to establish product specifications and improve laboratory testing methods.
• Analyze quality data and implement corrective actions to improve product consistency and process capability.
• Ensure timely reporting/documentation of quality-related events in designated systems.
• Manage disposition of expired/non-conforming materials.
• Coordinate recurring food safety and quality training programs for manufacturing personnel.
• Oversee product disposition and inventory quality review processes.
• Support new product introductions with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage pest control programs and coordinate with external providers to maintain compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP software

Job description

Position Overview

The Director of Quality Assurance provides strategic and operational leadership for quality systems, regulatory compliance, food safety programs, and document control across multiple manufacturing locations. This individual is responsible for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and third-party certifications while driving continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization. The position works closely with Operations, R&D, and cross-functional leadership to uphold the highest standards of product quality and food safety.

Position Overview

The Director of Quality Assurance provides strategic and operational leadership for quality systems, regulatory compliance, food safety programs, and document control across multiple manufacturing locations. This individual is responsible for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and third-party certifications while driving continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization. The position works closely with Operations, R&D, and cross-functional leadership to uphold the highest standards of product quality and food safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all Quality Assurance, Quality Compliance, and Document Control functions across multiple production facilities.
• Plan, coordinate, and participate in customer and supplier audits to ensure compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Maintain and continuously improve the SQF program, including management of quality procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Direct all SQF certification activities, including audit preparation and execution in partnership with Operations leadership.
• Lead the organization's Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) program across all manufacturing sites.
• Manage compliance with regulatory agencies and third-party certification programs, including FDA, USDA, Kosher, Halal, Organic, and other applicable standards.
• Oversee the creation, revision, approval, and control of quality documentation and SOPs.
• Support the implementation, training, and ongoing utilization of quality management and ERP software systems.
• Travel to manufacturing locations as needed to support quality initiatives, audits, training, and operational improvements.
• Collaborate with Operations leadership to promote a strong food safety culture and ensure compliance with FSMA and other food safety regulations.
• Supervise Quality Compliance personnel, laboratory leadership, document control staff, and Quality Assurance technicians, including recruitment, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and employee development.
• Review and approve manufacturing process changes to ensure continued compliance with quality and food safety standards.
• Direct document control processes to maintain accurate and compliant quality records.
• Develop and distribute monthly Quality Assurance reports and performance metrics.
• Partner with Research & Development to establish product specifications and improve laboratory testing methods.
• Analyze quality data and performance trends, implementing corrective actions to improve product consistency and process capability.
• Ensure timely reporting and documentation of quality-related events within designated reporting systems.
• Manage the review and disposition of expired, obsolete, or non-conforming materials.
• Coordinate recurring food safety and quality training programs for manufacturing personnel.
• Oversee product disposition activities and inventory quality review processes.
• Support new product introductions and business opportunities by ensuring food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements are met.
• Manage pest control programs and coordinate activities with external service providers to maintain facility compliance.

Salary

$140,000 - $150,000 + Bonus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience.
• 6+ years of progressive Quality Assurance experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing Quality Assurance teams in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and quality systems, including FSMA, SQF, FDA, USDA, HACCP, and third-party certification programs.
• Experience managing regulatory inspections, certification audits, CAPA systems, and document control processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using quality management or ERP software.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.