Quality Assurance Inspector

Quality Assurance Inspector

The Quality Assurance Inspector plays a key role in ensuring that incoming packaging and chemical raw materials, as well as in-process and finished products, meet all regulatory and internal quality standards. This position focuses on both receipt inspection and production inspection, including sampling, testing, documentation, and coordination with Production and Quality teams to ensure that every batch is produced and packaged in full compliance with established procedures and specifications.

Responsibilities include:

• Sample and inspect incoming packaging and chemical raw materials to verify conformance with purchase order requirements, regulatory expectations, and internal quality standards.
• Verify the integrity of shipping containers and confirm that each container is properly labeled before acceptance.
• Perform sampling of receipts using a defined statistical sampling plan and inspect sampled items using visual checks and measurement devices such as scales, rulers, micrometers, and calipers.
• Document all inspection activities clearly and accurately, maintaining complete and traceable records.
• Maintain organized files of receipt inspection reports and vendor performance reports to support ongoing supplier evaluation.
• Perform computer transactions in accordance with the Quality Systems receipt inspection process, ensuring data accuracy and completeness.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of item specifications and master files to support consistent quality standards.
• Coordinate with the Purchasing Department to establish and maintain quality standards with suppliers.
• Read, review, and compare documents, including specifications and batch records, and consistently follow established procedures.
• Monitor line clearance functions to ensure that production lines are properly cleared and set up before operations begin.
• Issue production paperwork and labels required for manufacturing and packaging operations.
• Draw samples from production lines for testing, retention, stability, and other purposes, and maintain accurate records of all samples.
• Act as a liaison between the Production and Quality departments to support effective communication and issue resolution.
• Perform yearly monitoring and review of retain samples to ensure ongoing product quality and stability.
• Examine filling and packaging labeling prior to the start of filling operations to confirm accuracy and compliance with specifications.
• Develop a solid understanding of batch documentation requirements and all associated production and compliance steps.
• Review and verify all compliance steps associated with the production of regulated products, including line clearances, filling and packaging labeling, and production sampling requirements.
• Quarantine filling and packaging materials brought to production lines if they do not conform to standard specifications, artwork, or if they are found defective.
• Quarantine finished products that are found defective due to labeling issues, weight deficiencies, coding errors, or other nonconformances.
• Prepare and apply REJECT stickers for nonconforming filling and packaging materials from production lines, as needed.
• Assist Quality Assurance leadership with the internal Auditing Program by supporting audits and related activities.
• Assist with Annual Product Review (APR) activities by providing documentation and data as required.
• Organize and maintain samples within the retain room to ensure proper storage, traceability, and accessibility.
• Support projects as assigned by Quality Assurance leadership, contributing quality expertise and documentation.
• Prepare detailed and accurate documentation and proficiently search, retrieve, and issue documents via the organizations Quality Management System (QMS).
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as required by Quality Assurance leadership to support overall quality objectives.

Essential skills include:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a Quality Assurance environment, preferably within the cosmetics or pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated quality assurance experience, including document review and quality documentation practices.
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their application in a production environment.
• Strong computer literacy and experience using computer-based quality and documentation systems.
• Ability to understand and interpret vendor documentation for component shelf-life and related specifications.
• Capability to perform basic arithmetic and complete 2-dimensional measurements using appropriate tools.

Additional skills and qualifications include:

• Experience in the cosmetics or pharmaceutical industry is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting or participating in internal auditing programs is an asset.
• Experience assisting with Annual Product Reviews (APR) is beneficial.
• Ability to support assigned projects and adapt to changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to actively listen and readily assume responsibility for actions.
• Proficiency with Quality Management Systems (QMS) for searching, issuing, and managing documents.
• Interest in gaining experience in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and developing a long-term career in quality.
• Openness to internal mobility, with the opportunity to apply for other roles within the organization after six months.

Work environment includes:

The role is primarily based in a quality office environment, with approximately 8090% of the time spent in the office and 1020% of the time spent on the production floor. The standard schedule for this position is a second-shift assignment, working Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. New hires receive initial training on the first shift, typically from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for about two weeks at the start of employment. The position involves regular interaction with production lines, packaging areas, and quality offices, using measurement tools such as scales, rulers, micrometers, and calipers, as well as computer-based quality and documentation systems. The environment supports steady hours with very minimal overtime and offers exposure to both cosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturing settings.

Job type and location:

This is a Contract position based out of Downers Grove, IL.

Pay and benefits:

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $23.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)