Quality Assurance Manager

Hoogwegt; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Open culture and collaboration

Autonomy to shape your role

Professional growth opportunities

Competitive compensation and benefits

Global support network

Job summary

Hoogwegt, Lake Forest, IL, is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the Dairy Essentials unit. You will oversee the Quality Management System, manage supplier approvals, and ensure FDA and GFSI compliance across products and the supply chain for North America.

The role acts as the technical anchor between local commercial teams and global operations, translating complex safety data into actionable decisions, driving root-cause investigations, recalls readiness, and continuous quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field.
• 4+ years hands-on quality assurance in food manufacturing, processing, or distribution.
• Dairy products experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing FDA regulations and GFSI standards (SQF/IFS) required.
• Experience executing claims handling, QMS maintenance, and supplier approvals.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional communication skills.
• Independent, self-directed working style in a global environment with travel to supplier sites.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain internal Quality Management System aligned with FDA and GFSI standards.
• Lead end-to-end root cause investigations for technical quality claims and corrective actions.
• Own the supplier approval lifecycle, audits, documentation, and vendor performance.
• Monitor evolving food safety legislation and drive proactive implementation across the supply chain.
• Maintain and execute product recall protocols to safeguard integrity and safety.
• Partner with commercial teams to provide rapid technical insights, regulatory guidance, and data-driven solutions.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

FDA regulations

GFSI standards

Root cause analysis

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/Food Technology

Tools

IFS Quality Management System

Supplier approval tools

Job description

In the global food and dairy industry, technical quality is the foundation of every successful partnership. As we continue to expand our footprint in the U.S. market, the Quality Assurance Manager plays a vital role in ensuring our products and supply chain meet the exacting standards our customers expect. Focused on our Dairy Essentials business unit, you will act as the technical anchor for our Lake Forest office, serving as the primary quality link between our local commercial teams and our global operations.

In this key role, you will lead our Quality Management System implementation, direct complaint resolutions, and oversee supplier approvals to ensure full regulatory compliance across our product lines. You are a crucial link between quality standards and commercial growth, serving as the primary technical partner to internal stakeholders and external partners by translating complex safety data into actionable decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement, optimize, and maintain our internal Quality Management System (IFS) to ensure complete alignment with FDA regulations and GFSI standards (SQF/IFS).
• Lead end-to-end root cause investigations for technical quality claims, resolving vendor or customer issues with decisive corrective actions.
• Own the full supplier approval lifecycle, driving routine audits, managing documentation, and ensuring high vendor performance standards.
• Monitor changing food safety legislation and drive proactive implementation across our supply chain network.
• Maintain and execute robust product recall protocols to safeguard company integrity and safety compliance.
• Partner closely with commercial colleagues to provide rapid technical insights, regulatory guidance, and data-driven solutions.

Who You Are

You are a high-ownership quality professional who combines meticulous attention to detail with strong operational drive. You thrive in dynamic environments where you can hold complex technical information in mind while making fast, clear recommendations. You take pride in being hands-on—whether analyzing safety metrics in the office or visiting production facilities in the field to build strong vendor relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 4+ years of hands-on quality assurance experience within food manufacturing, processing, or distribution.
• Prior background in dairy products is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing FDA regulations and GFSI standards (SQF and/or IFS) is required.
• Direct experience executing claims handling, QMS maintenance, and supplier approval programs.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with a track record of effectively influencing cross-functional teams and commercial partners.
• Independent, self-directed working style within a matrixed global environment, with the flexibility to travel to supplier sites as needed.

As the largest privately owned trading company in dairy, plant-based products, and food ingredients, Hoogwegt is a true pioneer in the industry. With a global network, more than 60 years of experience, and a dedicated team of 475 employees, we generate annual revenue of approximately €4 billion.

Our Dairy Essentials business unit specializes in dairy commodity trade (such as butter, milk powders, and proteins). From our Lake Forest, IL office, we realize strong growth and offer an environment where your expertise directly impacts operational excellence across North America.

What We Offer:

• An open, collaborative, and informal company culture
• The autonomy and flexibility to shape your role and work style
• Clear opportunities for continuous professional growth and industry training
• A competitive compensation and benefits package
• A close-knit team backed by global market capabilities