Quality Control Manager

CPS, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS, Inc. in Chicago seeks an experienced Quality Control Manager to lead the QC laboratory and ensure materials and products meet regulatory and customer expectations.

You will guide analytical, microbiological, and sensory testing, drive CAPA investigations, and coordinate audits to sustain a compliant quality system. You will coach staff, develop processes, and collaborate with R&D, Production, and QA to implement improvements while maintaining strong laboratory safety and documentation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Biology, or related field.
• 5+ years in Quality Control or lab operations in manufacturing (food/flavor/beverage or similar).
• 2-5 years supervising laboratory staff.
• Knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, cGMP, GLP and applicable food safety regs.
• Experience with sensory evaluation and analytical testing.

Responsibilities

• Direct QC lab activities including analytical, microbiological, and sensory testing.
• Oversee testing/approval processes to release raw materials and finished goods.
• Establish QC performance metrics using workload, turnaround times, and effectiveness.
• Lead, coach, and develop laboratory staff.
• Ensure practices/documentation meet cGMP/GLP/HACCP/SQF/FDA/OSHA standards.
• Coordinate audits (customer/regulatory) and internal quality system audits.
• Lead CAPAs and root cause investigations for quality issues.
• Maintain lab systems: SOPs, methods, validation, changes, deviations, calibration, service agreements.
• Collaborate with R&D, Production, QA, Procurement, and leadership for continuous improvements.
• Maintain lab safety and housekeeping.

Skills

Laboratory supervision

Analytical testing

Sensory evaluation

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry / Food Science / Biology

Job description

Summary

We are looking for an experienced Quality Control Manager to oversee laboratory and QC activities within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This position will provide leadership to the Quality Control team and ensure that incoming materials, in-process materials, and finished products consistently meet company, regulatory, safety, and customer expectations.

Core Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day activities of the Quality Control laboratory, including analytical, microbiological, and sensory/organoleptic testing.
• Oversee testing and approval processes to ensure raw materials and finished goods are evaluated and released within established timelines and specifications.
• Establish and evaluate QC performance metrics, using data related to laboratory workload, testing volume, turnaround times, and overall department effectiveness.
• Provide leadership, coaching, training, and development for laboratory staff while identifying opportunities for cross-training and professional growth.
• Ensure laboratory practices and documentation comply with applicable cGMP, GLP, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, OSHA, customer, and internal standards.
• Coordinate activities associated with customer and regulatory audits, as well as internal quality system audits.
• Manage quality investigations involving product or material discrepancies, OOS results, customer complaints, and other quality concerns. Lead root cause investigations and implementation of CAPAs and corrective actions.
• Maintain and improve laboratory systems, including SOPs, analytical methods, validation activities, change controls, deviations, equipment calibration and qualification, and service agreements.
• Work collaboratively with R&D, Production, QA, Procurement, and senior leadership to identify quality issues, determine appropriate solutions, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a strong focus on laboratory safety, housekeeping, and compliance with established manufacturing and safety procedures.

Salary

$80,000 - $120,000

Benefits Available

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Biology, or a related scientific discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Control, analytical chemistry, or laboratory operations within a food, flavor, beverage, pharmaceutical, or comparable manufacturing environment.
• 2-5 years of experience supervising, managing, or leading laboratory personnel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, cGMP, GLP, and applicable food safety and quality regulations.
• Practical experience with sensory evaluation, organoleptic assessment, and analytical testing relevant to food or flavor manufacturing.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate laboratory employees.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and department needs while using quality data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience with USDA-regulated processing, an advanced scientific degree, and/or SQF Practitioner experience is preferred.