Quality Assurance Specialist

Job Description Quality Assurance Specialist Position Overview We are looking for a detail-oriented quality professional to support and strengthen food safety, product quality, and compliance initiatives throughout a growing food manufacturing operation. This position offers a balance of production-floor engagement and administrative responsibilities, including oversight of quality systems, auditing activities, investigations, and process improvement efforts. The ideal candidate enjoys working cross-functionally, identifying opportunities for improvement, and helping create a culture of quality and accountability. Primary Duties Support the ongoing development, implementation, and maintenance of food safety and quality management programs. Conduct routine inspections of manufacturing areas, sanitation practices, employee GMP compliance, and facility conditions to verify adherence to established standards. Coordinate environmental monitoring activities, collect and manage product samples, and maintain testing records. Oversee allergen management procedures, foreign material prevention controls, and microbiological verification programs. Respond to quality concerns by conducting investigations, identifying contributing factors, and driving corrective and preventive actions. Maintain food safety plans, program documentation, regulatory records, training files, and quality performance metrics. Deliver training and coaching related to food safety requirements, sanitation expectations, and quality best practices. Assist during customer audits, third-party assessments, and regulatory inspections while serving as a quality resource for internal teams. Collaborate with operations, production, sanitation, and leadership teams to improve systems, reduce risk, and support operational objectives. Allocate a portion of each day to recordkeeping and documentation activities while remaining actively involved in production-floor quality oversight. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Environmental Health, or another relevant scientific discipline. Minimum of 3+ years of experience in a food manufacturing quality, food safety, or compliance-focused position. Current HACCP and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certifications. Familiarity with FDA requirements, FSMA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices, allergen control programs, and product safety principles. Experience managing audit activities, coordinating laboratory testing programs, and implementing corrective action initiatives. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and maintain attention to detail. Effective verbal and written communication skills, along with a proactive approach to problem-solving. Comfortable working independently and exercising sound judgment in a fast-paced production setting. Preferred Qualifications SQF Practitioner certification. Experience in food manufacturing, distribution, or imported food products. Experience developing or improving quality systems in a growing organization. Bilingual or multilingual capabilities. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Elk Grove Village, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $85000.00/yr. standard benefits: 401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Elk Grove Village,IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentacco #J-18808-Ljbffr