Find & Apply For Safety Manager Jobs in Kent, Illinois

Experience:

Mid Level Salary:

$110,000 - $130,000 per year Job Details - The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading, implementing, and maintaining best-in-class food safety and quality management systems across our Illinois manufacturing facility. This role oversees the onsite QA Lab, manages a team of technicians and supervisors, and ensures 100% compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, and local regulatory standards. ________________________________________

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Audit & Certification Leadership:

Maintain and optimize our benchmark SQF Level 3 program. Coordinate and lead all third-party, customer, and regulatory (FDA/Illinois Department of Agriculture) food safety audits.

Laboratory Management:

Direct the daily operations of the Quality Assurance Lab, ensuring accurate chemical, physical, and micrOur Clientological testing of raw milk, in-process curd, and finished Hispanic cheese varieties (e.g., Oaxaca, Fresco, Cotija).

HACCP & Food Safety Compliance:

Act as the site

HARPC/HACCP

coordinator. Ensure strict enforcement of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and allergen control databases.

Team Leadership:

Recruit, train, mentor, and schedule QA supervisors, coordinators, and lab technicians. Foster an environment of continuous improvement and internal career growth.

Vendor & Inventory Control:

Oversee vendor compliance requirements. Manage the hold-and-release program for finished goods to ensure 100% accurate, high-quality inventory leaves the distribution centers.

Root Cause Analysis:

Spearhead investigations into customer complaints or product deviations. Author and execute robust Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Partner closely with Plant Operations, Sanitation, and the Head Cheesemaker to optimize pasteurization, batch management, and Clean-in-Place (CIP) efficiencies. ________________________________________

Required Qualifications Education:

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, MicrOur Clientology, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.

Experience:

Minimum of 3-5 years of quality leadership or supervisory experience specifically within a food manufacturing environment (dairy or cheese processing facility experience is highly preferred).

Certifications:

PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) and HACCP certifications are required. Certified SQF Practitioner preferred.

Technical Knowledge:

Deep understanding of dairy science, milk chemistry, pasteurization requirements (PMO), fluid retention, and continuous-run plant instrumentation.

Language Skills:

Bilingual (English / Spanish) is highly preferred to effectively train and lead our diverse, close-knit production teams.

A bit about us:

- Founded in 2009, client is an award-winning, state-of-the-art manufacturer specializing in premium Mexican, Caribbean, and Central American style authentic cheeses and creams. Operating a heavily expanded, world-class production plant in Illinois, we are recognized for our industry-leading SQF Level 3 Certification, commitment to sustainability, and strict adherence to natural ingredients. We are looking for a dedicated Quality Assurance Manager to oversee our testing laboratory, lead compliance programs, and champion our food safety culture. Why join us? -

Award-Winning Excellence:

Work for a premier, rapidly growing manufacturer with over 15 industry medals. We produce the country's best authentic Mexican, Caribbean, and Central American style cheeses and creams. #manufacturing #fda-and-usda-food-regulations #haccp-certification #familiarity-with-sqf #tier2