Quality Technician

Red Rover Recruitment; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Rover Recruitment's client, a growing private manufacturer, is expanding its packaging quality team with a Packaging Quality Technician role.

You will inspect, sample, test and document incoming packaging components before they are used in production, including bottles, caps, closures, labels and more.

This hands‑on role emphasizes GMP, AQL, and accurate records, collaborating with QA, production and engineering to resolve issues and drive improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience in incoming inspection and packaging quality in manufacturing.
• Familiarity with GMP and AQL sampling.
• Ability to interpret specifications and supplier documentation.
• Experience using calipers, micrometers, torque testers.
• Attention to detail and cross‑functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Inspect packaging against specs and reference samples.
• Perform visual, dimensional and functional checks.
• Document defects and maintain accurate records.
• Follow sampling plans and ISO 2859-1 or internal standards.
• Verify material identity and review supplier COAs.
• Maintain traceable inspection data in ERP/QMS.
• Communicate findings and support investigations.
• Collect samples for testing and assist audits.
• Ensure GMP and safety procedures are followed.

Skills

Incoming inspection

Packaging quality

Quality Control

GMP knowledge

Documentation

Cross‑department collaboration

Education

Packaging/Quality degree

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Torque testers

Job description

Join a growing, privately owned manufacturer that is investing in its quality team.

Our client manufactures everyday consumer products and is expanding its quality team with a newly added Packaging Quality Technician position.

This is an opportunity to make a direct contribution to product quality: identifying packaging defects before materials reach production, helping investigate problems and ensuring that the components used every day meet the required standards.

If you enjoy hands‑on testing, investigating why something does not meet specifications and producing accurate, reliable work, this position offers a practical way to put those strengths to use.

Why consider this opportunity?

• Join an expanding quality team. Be part of a growing private company making an additional investment in packaging inspection and testing.
• See the impact of your work. Your findings will help prevent production problems, reduce defects and protect finished‑product quality.
• Apply and broaden your technical skills. Work with a variety of packaging components through visual, dimensional, physical and functional testing.
• Work closely with the people using your findings. Collaborate with Warehouse, Purchasing, Production, Quality and Engineering to investigate issues and support improvements.

What you’ll do

You will inspect, sample, test and document incoming packaging before it is used in manufacturing. Materials include rigid plastic bottles and containers, caps and closures, pumps, sprayers, pails, labels and other packaging components.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Inspecting packaging against approved specifications, drawings, purchase orders and reference samples.
• Performing visual, dimensional and functional checks, including dimensions, fit, closure torque, seal integrity, appearance, colour and print quality.
• Identifying and documenting cosmetic, dimensional, molding, printing and functional defects.
• Following approved sampling plans and AQL requirements, including ISO 2859-1 or applicable internal and customer standards.
• Verifying material identity, supplier information, quantities and lot/batch details, and reviewing supplier Certificates of Analysis and Conformance.
• Maintaining accurate, traceable inspection and testing records in forms, logs, ERP or Quality Management Systems.
• Placing or maintaining materials on Quality Hold when requirements are incomplete or defects are identified, and promptly communicating findings.
• Supporting investigations and supplier follow‑up with inspection results, defect samples and photographs.
• Collecting representative raw‑material samples for laboratory testing and assisting with audits, retention samples, document reviews and continuous improvement.
• Checking equipment condition and calibration status, while following GMP, safety and approved operating procedures.

What you bring

We’re interested in people who combine practical inspection skills with careful documentation and a willingness to investigate discrepancies.

• Experience in incoming inspection, packaging quality, Quality Control, Quality Assurance or a related manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on packaging inspection experience is strongly preferred, particularly with rigid plastic bottles, containers, closures or other molded packaging components.
• Familiarity with GMP, AQL sampling, inspection methods, defect classification and quality records.
• Ability to interpret specifications, drawings, SOPs, approved samples and supplier documentation.
• Experience using inspection equipment such as calipers, micrometers, scales, torque testers or gauges. Training may be provided for specialized equipment.
• Attention to detail, clear communication and the ability to work effectively across departments.

An associate or bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Quality, Manufacturing, Chemistry, Biology or a related technical field is preferred. Relevant inspection or manufacturing experience will also be considered.

Experience in household chemicals, personal care, cosmetics, OTC, pharmaceutical, food or other regulated manufacturing is an asset.

The working environment

This is a hands‑on position in warehouse and manufacturing settings. The work includes handling packaging samples, performing detailed and repetitive inspections, distinguishing relevant visual defects and component differences, and following required PPE and safety procedures.