Quality Assurance Manager 3636751

Wetalentia; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Wetalentia seeks an experienced QA Manager to lead QA systems, supplier quality, and customer complaint programs in a USDA-regulated food manufacturing environment. The role emphasizes strong cross-functional collaboration, robust documentation, and ongoing improvement across raw materials and finished products.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in QA systems management, supplier quality, and CAPA. You will standardize procedures, strengthen supplier processes, and support audit

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field is required.
• HACCP certification and PCQI experience preferred or equivalent.
• 8–10 years of progressive QA experience in food manufacturing.
• Experience in a USDA-regulated manufacturing environment is required.
• Strong knowledge of GFSI standards, QA systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience developing and improving Quality Management Systems (QMS).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to Raw Material QA Supervisors and QA team members.
• Ensure QA programs are implemented, maintained, and improved across functions.
• Lead supplier quality management including qualification, audits, and CAPA.
• Own customer complaints program with timely investigation and resolution.
• Conduct cross-functional investigations and drive root cause analysis (RCA).
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits; ensure audit readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce defects and improve product quality.

Skills

QA Management

GFSI Standards

HACCP

Root Cause Analysis

CAPA

USDA-Regulated

QMS Platforms

Cross-Functional Leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Master's preferred

Tools

QMS Software

Documentation Systems

Job description

Our client is a global food manufacturing company of premium fresh refrigerated food products.

We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance (QA) Manager to lead QA systems, supplier quality, and customer complaint programs within a USDA-regulated food manufacturing environment.

This role is responsible for ensuring robust QA systems, strong supplier compliance, and effective cross-functional collaboration to support safe, high-quality raw materials and finished products.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in QA systems management, supplier quality, and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will establish standardized QA procedures, strengthen supplier quality processes, improve documentation systems, lead internal BRC audit readiness, and develop a more mature Quality Management System that supports the company's continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight to Raw Material QA Supervisors, QA Systems Assistant Manager, and QA Complaints Specialists.
• Ensure alignment of priorities, clear accountability, and consistent execution of QA programs across teams.
• Drive a culture of quality, ownership, and continuous improvement.

QA Systems & Compliance

• Lead all QA system elements, including document control, SOP development, standardization, and maintenance, Food Safety Plan management, compliance with GFSI standards and internal requirements.
• Ensure QA programs are effectively implemented, maintained, and continuously improved.
• Maintain audit readiness across all QA systems and documentation.

Supplier Quality Management

• Oversee vendor qualification and ingredient approval programs, including risk assessments, specifications, and documentation review.
• Ensure only approved suppliers and ingredients are released for production use.
• Conduct and support supplier audits, ensuring compliance with food safety and quality expectations and driving corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready supplier records, approvals, and specifications.

Customer Complaints & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the customer complaints program, ensuring timely investigation, resolution, and communication.
• Develop and present trend analysis to identify recurring issues and systemic gaps.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce complaints and improve product quality.

Investigations & CAPA

• Lead cross-functional investigations related to quality and food safety issues.
• Ensure robust root cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Verify effectiveness of CAPAs and ensure proper documentation and closure.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Procurement, Operations, R&D, and QC to ensure alignment on ingredient approvals, specifications, and quality expectations.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits, ensuring preparedness and successful outcomes.
• Drive communication and coordination between supply chain and plant operations to mitigate risks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• HACCP certification
• PCQI certification preferred, or equivalent experience leading Food Safety Plans.
• 8-10 years of progressive Quality Assurance experience within food manufacturing.
• Experience in a USDA-regulated manufacturing environment required.
• Strong knowledge of GFSI standards, Food Safety Plans, QA systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience developing, standardizing, and continuously improving Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Experience evaluating, selecting, and implementing electronic QMS platforms is highly preferred.
• Extensive experience managing Supplier Quality programs, including supplier qualification, risk assessments, specifications, audits, corrective actions, and performance management.
• Experience supporting large supplier networks in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading or supporting BRC audits, maintaining audit readiness, conducting internal audits, and driving corrective actions.
• Strong experience leading Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective & Preventive Action (CAPA) processes related to customer complaints, manufacturing issues, equipment failures, and product traceability.
• Proven ability to build quality systems, establish structure, implement standardized procedures, and drive continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing cross-functional QA teams and collaborating with Procurement, Operations, R&D, and Production.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.