QC Specialist

The Jel Sert Company is celebrating 100 years of innovation and industry leadership. We focus on high‑quality foods and beverages that bring people together. Our company has been recognized as a Great Place to Work and as a Best Workplace in Chicago and Manufacturing and Production. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team as a QC SPECIALIST . If you are seeking a work environment that encourages personal growth, responsibility, and a shared vision for creating memorable products, Jel Sert wants you! The Quality Control Specialist has broad responsibility for auditing finished goods and the manufacturing facility. This position also manages database maintenance, troubleshooting, product disposition, product hold/release authority, quality inspection, investigation, and reporting of issues associated with Food Safety and Quality. Scheduled Work Hours Two (2) openings on second (2nd) Shift: 2 pm‑10:30 pm, Monday‑Friday, Saturdays as needed. This position may require overtime as needed. Employees are required to receive cross‑training in other QC functions to provide backup support as needed. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Responsible for data entry, managing and utilizing data information within company databases. Preside over facility sanitation practices, inspection of equipment, and manufacturing processes. Conform to GMP guidelines and all company policies/procedures. Inspect finished goods, representing Medical Foods, Dietary Supplements, and other high‑profile contract customer products. Identify non‑conforming conditions within the manufacturing environment and with products and materials per their compliance with food safety and quality. Place non‑conforming products and materials or products that do not conform to specifications into hold status. Ensure appropriate communication of food safety and quality issues with Production Supervisors, Managers, and other facility personnel as required. Initiate investigations into the causes of material or product non‑conformances, gathering pertinent information without prompt from Supervisor. Investigate customer complaints with guidance from Supervisor. Perform audits based on SQF guidelines: Hard Plastic, Processing Line, X‑Ray, etc. Make suggestions to improve plant safety, food safety, and product quality. Make suggestions on how to increase efficiency and cost savings within the department and actively participate in implementation of own or others’ ideas. Gather finished‑good samples per program requirements. Provide hands‑on training to plant employees as directed. Other duties may be assigned. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Education and/or Experience 3‑5 years of quality control experience in the food/beverage industry. Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, FDA or USDA regulations for foods and beverages is desirable. Internal auditing, CAPA investigations, and training of personnel are a plus. Must be able to complete a skills assessment test to assess basic skills needed in the position. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Good computer skills (e‑mail, internet use, basic skills in MS Excel, MS Word, and MS PowerPoint). Good written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish are required. Ability to work in a team‑based environment. Ability to work independently. Proactive behavior (take initiatives, make suggestions, follow up with limited supervision). Good analytical skills (observation, attention to detail, problem solving). Desire to learn, take on challenges and responsibilities. Cross training in other quality areas such as Incoming Inspection/Lab. Flexibility to adapt to change. Basic math skills: arithmetic, percentages, ratios, measurements. Ability to multi‑task, organize and prioritize tasks. Good conflict resolution and interpersonal skills. Identify and communicate unsafe work conditions to Supervisor. Benefits & Salary Jel Sert is committed to pay transparency. The minimum compensation for the QC Specialist is $25.00 per hour. For the 2nd shift, a shift differential of $0.50 per hour is added to all time worked on that shift. Compensation is determined by a candidate’s experience, education, skills, training, and internal equity. All regular full‑time corporate employees are eligible for our extensive benefits programs. Physical Demands Climbing: ascending or descending ladders, stairs, ramps, and the like. Balancing: maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery surfaces. Reaching: extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Standing: remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time. Walking: moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. Pushing: using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. May be required to push a cart containing product weighing up to 115 lbs. Pulling: using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion. Lifting: raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. Fingering: picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm. Grasping: applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Feeling: perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin. Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing: perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Repetitive motions: making substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Medium work: exerting up to 50 lbs of force occasionally, up to 20 lbs frequently, and up to 10 lbs constantly to move objects. Visual acuity: required for preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection involving small defects or small parts. Work Environment Office/Laboratory/Manufacturing Facility environment with exposure to allergens and a dusty production environment. Subject to allergens. Working at times within a dusty production environment. Subject to noise: sufficient noise to require raising voice to be heard. Subject to hazards: proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, and exposure to high heat. Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities Follow applicable work procedures and instructions. Responsible for monitoring and recording CCPs and CQPs; responsible for monitoring compliance to and abiding by prerequisite programs. Impact on Jel Sert The job is essential to ensure all products are produced within Jel Sert and/or customer specifications to ensure product safety for consumption and to meet quality requirements. You Should Be Proficient In Food and Beverage Manufacturing. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Quality Control Experience. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). #J-18808-Ljbffr