Senior Quality Control Leader - Lab Operations

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

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