Seeking to hire a Quality Assurance Specialist for a direct hire opportunity in Gurnee, IL. Our client seeks a quality-minded candidate who has a continuous improvement mindset.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the site Quality Management System and drive continuous improvement activities to enhance the QMS processes/procedures and mitigate quality risks to the business
• Actively promote a quality improvement culture and contribute to the development of quality systems and strategies
• Provide QMS training for new team members and lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of quality and food safety-related training
• Lead annual Quality and ISO training and have plant floor presence to raise awareness of quality and QMS requirements
• Lead and organize internal and external audits to ensure successful compliance of all quality registrations (e.g., ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000, Kosher, etc.)
• Ensures HACCP plan is maintained, verified, validated, and kept current and CCPs and pre-requisite programs are monitored, verified, and validated as required by the plan
• Provide oversight and leadership in enhancing the site document control and record control management among the operations departments
• Oversee the release of manufacturing records and material inspections
• Interface with the site technical team to resolve quality issues during the customer complaint investigation and develop sound corrective actions
• Coordinate and ensure the provision of information to customers in a timely and efficient manner (certificates, reports, general inquiries, etc.)
• Communicate with both customers and suppliers on quality issues and resolve them in a timely manner
• Work closely with the quality team providing support to the kosher and food safety systems

Other Details:

• Schedule: Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday/4 10-hour shifts/Start time 6,7, or 8 am
• Location: Gurnee 

·      Bachelor’s Degree Preferred in Chemistry, Biology, or Biochemistry

·      Minimum of 2 years in a quality role in a manufacturing environment

·      Food safety experience

·      Knowledge and training of ISO 9001:2015

·      Internal auditor training or ASQ certified Quality Auditor Certification preferred

·      Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools and principles

·      Ability to take initiative on projects and work with team members to get a resolution to issues

·      Utilizes quality tools and methods (flow charts, pareto diagrams, cause and effect diagrams, 5-Whys, PDCA, 8D)

·      Strong communication skills – written and verbal

·      Promotes strong ethical standards and integrity

·      Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills