Quality Control Manager

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

Job summary

CPS, Inc. is seeking an experienced Quality Control Manager to oversee laboratory and QC activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will lead the Quality Control team and ensure incoming materials, in-process materials, and finished products meet company, regulatory, safety, and customer expectations. You will direct daily QC laboratory activities, oversee testing and release, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with cGMP, GLP, HACCP, SQF, FDA/USDA/OSHA standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Biology or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in Quality Control or lab ops within manufacturing.
• 2-5 years supervising laboratory staff.
• Knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, cGMP, GLP and related standards.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily QC lab activities including analytical, microbiological, and sensory testing.
• Oversee testing and release of materials and finished goods per specs and timelines.
• Establish QC metrics from workload, turnaround times, and efficiency data.
• Lead training and cross-training of laboratory personnel.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP, GLP, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, OSHA and internal standards.
• Coordinate audits by customers, regulators, and internal systems.
• Lead CAPAs, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions.
• Maintain SOPs, methods, validation, change controls, deviations, and calibration.
• Collaborate with R&D, Production, QA, Procurement and leadership for improvements.
• Maintain laboratory safety and housekeeping.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Assurance

Analytical thinking

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

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.