Job Description

**Job Title: Food Quality Director

Location: Cicero, IL

Compensation: $100,000 - $145,000 per year**

About the Company:

My client is a fast-growing food manufacturing company producing high-quality prepared and packaged products. Their modern facility utilizes advanced processing technology and strong quality systems to ensure consistent, compliant, and reliable production. Continuous improvement and operational excellence are central to their success.

The Opportunity:

This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of food quality, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across the facility. You will play a critical role in driving a best-in-class quality culture, ensuring audit readiness, and leading continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product consistency and customer satisfaction. This position offers strong visibility and the opportunity to influence company-wide quality standards and performance.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and manage all quality assurance and quality control programs to ensure product consistency, safety, and compliance.
• Oversee and maintain HACCP, SQF (or equivalent GFSI scheme), and GMP programs, ensuring audit readiness at all times.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to product quality, process control, and operational excellence.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customer audits, third-party audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Develop, implement, and monitor quality standards, policies, and procedures across the facility.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the QA/QC team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain to ensure quality is embedded in all processes.
• Analyze quality data, trends, and KPIs to identify opportunities for improvement and drive corrective actions.
• Oversee customer complaint investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action plans.
• Manage supplier quality programs and ensure incoming materials meet established specifications.

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in quality leadership within a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, SQF (or other GFSI standards), GMPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience leading audits (internal, external, and customer) with successful outcomes.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with experience managing and developing teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decision making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

**How to Apply:

**Please click ‘Apply Now’ or send your resume to [email protected].