Quality Assurance Manager – Food Manufacturing

JTM Foods; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Life insurance

Full-time schedule

Growth opportunities

Job summary

JTM Foods, LLC in Chicago, IL seeks an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead the QA department, oversee food safety, quality programs, and regulatory compliance in a fast-paced bakery.

You will develop and maintain SQF/HACCP systems, manage audits, coach a QA team, and drive continuous improvement in product quality and waste reduction.

This full-time role offers a competitive salary and benefits, Monday–Friday schedule, and growth opportunities for leaders committed to food safety.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Food Quality Assurance or related quality management.
• Minimum of 3 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Bakery or food manufacturing experience preferred.
• HACCP Certification required.
• SQF Practitioner Certification required.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, FDA regulations, and sanitation controls.
• Experience preparing for and managing food safety and quality audits.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily QA operations including QA Technicians and laboratory personnel.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of SQF Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Maintain and manage HACCP, GMP, allergen control, pest control, sanitation, traceability, recalls, and other food safety programs.
• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, SQF standards, customer requirements, and company policies.
• Prepare for and lead SQF certification audits, customer audits, regulatory inspections, and internal audits.
• Develop, review, and maintain quality policies, procedures, SOPs, and documentation.
• Conduct and oversee routine quality inspections, internal audits, and product evaluations.
• Identify quality concerns, investigate product defects, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Operations to resolve quality issues and improve processes.
• Analyze quality data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to reduce waste, rework, and product defects.
• Ensure testing equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and operating accurately.
• Develop and improve inspection plans, testing methods, and quality control procedures.
• Promote a proactive food safety culture throughout the facility.
• Lead, coach, and develop QA team members to ensure consistent execution of quality standards.
• Provide food safety, GMP, and quality training to production employees and leadership.
• Hold team members accountable for following established procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate quality concerns, corrective actions, and improvement opportunities to plant leadership.
• Build strong working relationships across departments while maintaining the integrity of our food safety programs.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Tools

SQF

HACCP

GMPs

Job description

Description

JTM Foods, LLC | Chicago, IL

Full-Time | Monday–Friday

Salary: $90,000-$100,000 annually

Come Grow With JTM Foods!

Are you passionate about food safety, quality, and leading a team that takes pride in producing exceptional products?

At JTM Foods, we believe quality isn't just a department — it's a commitment we make every day!

Our Chicago bakery is growing, and we're looking for an experienced, hands‑on Quality Assurance Manager who is ready to take ownership of our food safety and quality programs, lead a strong QA team, and help drive continuous improvement throughout our manufacturing operation.

If you're someone who enjoys solving problems, developing people, and making a real impact in a fast‑paced food manufacturing environment, we want to hear from you!

What You'll Be Doing

As our Quality Assurance Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring our bakery consistently meets the highest standards of food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and customer expectations.

Food Safety & Quality Leadership

• Lead and manage the daily operations of the Quality Assurance department, including QA Technicians and laboratory personnel.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of our SQF Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Maintain and manage HACCP, GMP, allergen control, pest control, sanitation, traceability, recall, and other food safety programs.
• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, SQF standards, customer requirements, and company policies.
• Prepare for and lead SQF certification audits, customer audits, regulatory inspections, and internal audits.
• Develop, review, and maintain quality policies, procedures, SOPs, and documentation.

Quality Control & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct and oversee routine quality inspections, internal audits, and product evaluations.
• Identify quality concerns, investigate product defects, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Operations to resolve quality issues and improve processes.
• Analyze quality data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to reduce waste, rework, and product defects.
• Ensure testing equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and operating accurately.
• Develop and improve inspection plans, testing methods, and quality control procedures.
• Promote a proactive food safety culture throughout the facility.

Team Development & Accountability

• Lead, coach, and develop QA team members to ensure consistent execution of quality standards.
• Provide food safety, GMP, and quality training to production employees and leadership.
• Hold team members accountable for following established procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate quality concerns, corrective actions, and improvement opportunities to plant leadership.
• Build strong working relationships across departments while maintaining the integrity of our food safety programs.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Food Quality Assurance or a related quality management role.
• Minimum of 3 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Previous experience in a food manufacturing environment required; bakery experience is a plus.
• HACCP Certification required.
• SQF Practitioner Certification required.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, FDA regulations, food safety systems, and sanitation controls.
• Experience preparing for and managing food safety and quality audits.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience with SQF audits and certification processes.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives and quality management systems.
• Strong data analysis and root cause investigation skills.

Why Join JTM Foods?

At JTM Foods, our people are the heart of everything we do. We're proud of our continued growth, our commitment to quality, and the teams that make it all possible.

We believe in creating a workplace built around our core values:

Respect Trust Accountability Teamwork Ownership Continuous Improvement

When you join JTM, you're joining a team where your leadership matters, your ideas are valued, and you have the opportunity to make a difference every day.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary: $90,000-100,000 annually
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Voluntary life insurance
• Full-time, Monday–Friday schedule
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're an experienced Quality Assurance professional who takes pride in food safety, enjoys leading people, and wants to be part of a growing manufacturing team, we'd love to meet you!

JTM Foods, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.