Prod Dev & Quality Coordinator – Benchtop Sampling

ForceBrands; Illinois; On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

ForceBrands is seeking a hands-on Product Development & Quality Coordinator in Chicago, IL to support R&D execution and ongoing product quality. This role focuses on benchtop samples, documentation, and coordinating certifications in a fast-paced food company.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of food CPG experience, enjoys working directly with products, and can manage multiple projects against tight timelines. Travel to co-manufacturers may be required.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of food or beverage product development, R&D or quality.
• Hands-on experience producing benchtop samples required.
• Experience in snacks or food CPG preferred.
• Familiar with quality processes and production data.

Responsibilities

• Produce benchtop samples in the R&D kitchen for tastings.
• Maintain R&D materials and inventory to support fast sample turnaround.
• Support full-scale production trials at co-manufacturers.
• Review quality data and product retains; escalate discrepancies.
• Monitor customer complaint data; communicate issues to partners and follow actions.
• Review complaint trends and flag patterns to operations.
• Maintain third-party certifications (Non-GMO, Organic/CCOF, Kosher).
• Coordinate annual certification renewals.
• Collaborate with internal operations and external facilities.
• Keep projects organized and on timeline.
• Travel periodically to co-manufacturing facilities for trials (≈2 trips/quarter).

Skills

Benchtop sampling

R&D execution

Quality systems

Documentation

Travel readiness

Job description

ForceBrands is seeking a hands-on Product Development & Quality Coordinator in Chicago, IL to support R&D execution and ongoing product quality. This role focuses on benchtop samples, documentation, and coordinating certifications in a fast-paced food company.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of food CPG experience, enjoys working directly with products, and can manage multiple projects against tight timelines. Travel to co-manufacturers may be required.