Quality Control Manager

Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.; Northbrook (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time benefits package

Job summary

Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. in Northbrook, IL is seeking a Quality Control Manager to lead our QC operations, ensuring raw materials and finished products meet safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will manage analytical, microbiological, and organoleptic testing programs, drive continuous improvement, lead a QC team, and ensure compliance with cGMP, GLP, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, OSHA, and internal standards while collaborating

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Food Science, Biology, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of quality control or analytical laboratory experience in food, flavor, beverage, pharmaceutical, or related manufacturing environment.
• At least 2 years of laboratory leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, cGMP, GLP, and food safety/quality regulations.
• Experience with sensory evaluation, organoleptic testing, and analytical techniques relevant to flavor manufacturing.
• Strong people management, coaching, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Quality Control operations, including analytical, microbiological, and organoleptic testing programs.
• Ensure the timely release of raw materials and finished products in accordance with established specifications.
• Develop, monitor, and report KPIs related to QC effectiveness, workload, and turnaround times.
• Train, coach, and develop QC laboratory personnel while supporting skill development and performance management.
• Maintain laboratory compliance with cGMP, GLP, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, OSHA, customer, and internal requirements.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Lead investigations related to non-conforming materials, out-of-specification results, customer complaints, root cause analysis, CAPAs, and corrective actions.
• Oversee laboratory documentation, SOPs, method validations, change controls, deviations, equipment calibration, qualification, and service contracts.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, R&D, QA, Procurement, and leadership to resolve quality issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure safe laboratories and manufacturing practices.

Skills

Quality control leadership

Analytical testing

Microbiological testing

Organoleptic testing

Regulatory compliance

cGMP knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry/food science/biology

Job description

Bell Northbrook
Northbrook, IL 60062, USA

Description

Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. is seeking a Quality Control Manager to lead our Quality Control operations at our Northbrook, IL location. This role is responsible for ensuring raw materials and finished products meet established safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements while leading a team of QC professionals in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Quality Control operations, including analytical, microbiological, and organoleptic testing programs.
• Ensure the timely release of raw materials and finished products in accordance with established specifications.
• Develop, monitor, and report key performance indicators related to QC effectiveness, workload, and turnaround times.
• Train, coach, and develop QC laboratory personnel while supporting skill development, cross-training, and performance management.
• Maintain laboratory compliance with cGMP, GLP, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, OSHA, customer, and internal requirements.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Lead investigations related to non-conforming materials, out-of-specification results, customer complaints, root cause analysis, CAPAs, and corrective actions.
• Oversee laboratory documentation, SOPs, method validations, change controls, deviations, equipment calibration, qualification, and service contracts.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, R&D, QA, Procurement, and leadership to resolve quality issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure safe laboratories and manufacturing practices.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Food Science, Biology, or a related scientific field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of quality control or analytical laboratory experience in food, flavor, beverage, pharmaceutical, or related manufacturing environment.
• At least 2 years of laboratory leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, cGMP, GLP, and food safety/quality regulations.
• Experience with sensory evaluation, organoleptic testing, and analytical techniques relevant to flavor manufacturing.
• Strong people management, coaching, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, analyze trends, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
• USDA processing experience, advanced scientific degrees, and SQF Practitioner experience are preferred.

Why Join Bell?

• Competitive salary range of $70,000 - $120,000
• Full-time benefits package
• An opportunity to lead a critical quality function within a collaborative, team-oriented
• Play an important role in supporting product quality, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence across Bell's manufacturing operations.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Be part of a supportive and collaborative team
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.