Food Quality Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Food Quality Lead (2nd shift)

Location: Franklin Park, IL

Hire Type: Direct Hire

Target Pay Rate: $24.00/hour (plus $1 shift differential) = $25.00/hour

Work Schedule: 2nd Shift (3:30pm - 12:00am), Monday - Friday

Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k)

Job Summary:

A growing food manufacturing company is seeking a 2nd Shift Quality Assurance Lead to support and strengthen its Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs. Working closely with the Quality Control Supervisor, this position helps ensure regulatory compliance, product quality, and adherence to food safety standards in a USDA-regulated processing environment. The ideal candidate has experience in a meat or protein processing facility and possesses strong leadership, problem-solving, and food safety compliance skills.

Must Have Skills:

• Experience in a meat or protein processing environment
• Knowledge of USDA, FSIS, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and SSOP regulations
• Quality assurance and food safety experience within food manufacturing
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• High school diploma or equivalent (HACCP certification preferred)

Job Duties:

• Support food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs
• Assist with corrective and preventive action (CAPA) investigations and implementation
• Maintain compliance with USDA, FSIS, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and SSOP requirements
• Complete and review daily, weekly, and monthly quality documentation
• Oversee sanitation programs and verify SSOP compliance
• Support microbiological sampling and testing activities
• Ensure compliance with Foreign Material Control procedures
• Conduct internal audits, inspections, and SQF verification/validation activities
• Monitor product specifications and quality standards
• Assist with food safety and quality training for production employees
• Investigate and help resolve customer quality complaints
• Train and mentor Quality Control team members
• Monitor Critical Control Points (CCPs) throughout the production process
• Serve as backup to the Quality Control Supervisor as needed
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Experience working in a USDA-regulated meat or protein processing facility required
• HACCP certification preferred
• Strong understanding of food safety systems, food microbiology, and quality assurance principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational, planning, and multitasking abilities
• Proven decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment