Senior Quality Lead - External Manufacturing

Finlays Solutions; Gonzales (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Quarterly Bonus

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Bereavement Leave

401(k)

Job summary

Finlays Solutions is seeking a Quality Senior Lead for its external manufacturing network, overseeing quality governance, site audits, and supplier relationships. The role ensures food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across U.S.-based co‑manufacturers, with a 30% travel requirement and hybrid work from the Glenview, IL area.

The position requires 5+ years in food quality roles, HACCP/FSMA knowledge, and strong auditing experience.

Qualifications

• Formal training or certifications in HACCP, FSMA/PCQI, and auditing. Better Process Control School is a plus.
• Minimum 5 years in Quality, Food Safety, or Technical roles within food manufacturing, with direct experience in supplier quality, co-manufacturing, or external manufacturing oversight.
• Auditing experience is non‑negotiable — must independently plan, conduct, and report supplier audits, including follow‑through.
• Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements, food safety legislation, and quality system standards; microbiology or product development exposure is a plus.
• Exceptional communication skills — confident in group settings, able to lead discussions with external partners, and synthesize technical information into clear business recommendations.
• Able to establish trust, influence without authority, and represent Finlays with professionalism and confidence.
• Advanced problem‑solving and risk‑assessment skills — able to identify issues early, elevate appropriately, and drive resolution.
• Highly organized and self‑directed; able to manage multiple workstreams, create structure in ambiguous environments, and proactively communicate progress.
• Customer‑focused mindset with the ability to balance customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and operational realities.
• Willingness and ability to travel routinely (~30%), including flexibility for production‑driven schedules.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; comfort with digital systems, portals, and documentation platforms.
• Self‑driven and autonomous — once onboarded, must independently coordinate work, communicate updates, and manage travel and partner interactions.
• Chicago‑area based, with ability to work hybrid from the Glenview office as needed for collaboration, product work, or lab‑adjacent tasks.
• Experience building or managing quality systems for external manufacturing environments.
• Direct experience with suppliers/co‑manufacturers/warehouses (required).
• Willingness and ability to travel (~30%).
• Strong communication and presence in group settings and cross‑functional forums.
• Comfortable leading discussions with external partners, including delivering difficult messages.
• Self‑directed, proactive, and structured in managing workstreams and driving outcomes.
• Chicago‑area based, with ability to work hybrid from the Glenview office.

Responsibilities

• Develop and govern the quality and food safety management systems for all U.S.-based third-party manufacturing supporting Finlays Solutions.
• Standardize quality expectations across all co‑manufacturers, and external partners, ensuring consistent application of Finlays’ requirements.
• Create structure where processes are immature or ambiguous, establishing clear workflows, documentation, and governance.
• Develop and execute QA/QC programs including specifications, analytical testing plans, and verification protocols.
• Collaborate with R&D and Operations to define critical‑to‑quality parameters and food safety requirements for each product and process.
• Ensure regulatory and customer compliance by working directly with co-manufacturers and relevant authorities.
• Lead non‑conformance investigations including customer complaints, ensuring timely escalation and closure.
• Conduct basic analytical analysis as required from time to time to confirm compliance or investigate product issues.
• Own the onboarding process for new co‑manufacturers in alignment with Finlays’ Supplier Management Program.
• Conduct onsite audits and maintain ongoing compliance monitoring.
• Champion sustainability requirements related to co-manufactured products.
• Build strong, trust‑based relationships with external partners, acting as a confident, credible quality representative.
• Serve as the face of quality for all co‑manufactured products.
• Manage customer documentation including specifications, certifications, and process information.
• Lead customer quality engagements including technical meetings, complaint resolution, and improvement initiatives.
• Ensure regulatory and portal accuracy by partnering with regulatory and customer support teams.
• Represent Quality in project teams, ensuring quality and food safety are embedded from development through commercialization.
• Proactively identify and elevate risks with clear recommendations and business‑relevant context.
• Coordinate independently across R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Site QA to drive aligned outcomes.

Skills

Quality leadership

Auditing

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Project coordination

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Finlays Solutions is seeking a Quality Senior Lead for its external manufacturing network, overseeing quality governance, site audits, and supplier relationships. The role ensures food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across U.S.-based co‑manufacturers, with a 30% travel requirement and hybrid work from the Glenview, IL area.

The position requires 5+ years in food quality roles, HACCP/FSMA knowledge, and strong auditing experience.