Quality Control Specialist page is loadedQuality Control SpecialistApply locations US - Morgan Street, Chicago time type Full time posted on Posted 3 Days Ago job requisition id JR100745
The QC Specialist is pivotal in ensuring quality and food safety compliance while supporting R&D activities at our Chicago savory locations. This role involves close collaboration with Quality, R&D teams, Operations, and Engineering to ensure smooth and efficient production processes. This role emphasizes the integration of R&D and QA expertise to drive product innovation while maintaining high manufacturing standards. This role will require 10% of travel to different sites.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop SOPs and quality documents, support employee training, and assist with flavor training programs at the sites.
- Lead plant trials and collaborate with R&D, QA, and Production to validate new formulations and ensure smooth transition to full-scale manufacturing.
- Collaborate with R&D teams to develop and refine product formulations, ensuring they meet consumer expectations and manufacturing capabilities.
- Identify and address production challenges, applying problem-solving techniques to optimize formulations and manufacturing processes.
- Assist the Quality team in investigating customer/vendor complaints using root cause analysis, determining corrective actions and preventive measures, particularly regarding product quality and sensory.
- Completes quality evaluation and release of support materials, products, equipment, and facilities as required.
- Retrieve raw materials, intermediates, and finished product from production and conduct appropriate analyses.
- Conducts laboratory experiments under the direction of flavor chemists and Savory flavorists.
- Ensure proper care, handling, maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment and workspace.
- Conduct on-site taste panels by preparing tasting solutions, managing sensory evaluations at both Chicago locations, participating as needed, and promptly evaluating and issuing results
- Evaluate products to ensure they meet established specifications and customer requirements.
- Follow company and government safety, quality, and GMP policies.
- Ensure consistency in various prepared formulations and report any inconsistencies or formulation issues to the formulator.
- Follow detailed instructions while monitoring operators using equipment, control temperatures and consistency of the mixes.
- Conduct audits and inspections of the facility, production lines, and equipment to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety standards.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science in a field such as Food Science, Chemistry, or Engineering. Certifications in HACCP and PCQI required.
- Minimum of three years of experience in quality assurance and product development within food manufacturing.
- Strong understanding of plant operations and process optimization, including spray dry, pan dry, and dry blending.
- Proficient in conducting plant trials, analyzing production data, and applying continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Manufacturing).
- Experienced with HACCP (USDA), FSMA (FDA), Organic, Kosher, Halal, and GFSI standards (e.g., SQF, BRC, AIB).
- Skilled in sensory evaluation methods, R&D formulation language, and organoleptic assessments.
- Proficient in using quality control instruments such as pH meters, refractometers, colorimeters, GCMS, and turbidimeters.
- Knowledgeable in statistical analysis, sensory software tools, and foundational food chemistry (e.g., Maillard reactions, blending techniques, lab best practices).
- Strong documentation and computer skills, including MS Excel, Word, and database tools.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Applies technical expertise with strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and a solution-oriented approach to managing complex quality and production challenges.
- Self-directed and adaptable; able to manage shifting priorities and multiple production runs in a fast-paced environment.
- Builds cross-functional relationships; effective in training delivery, sensory coordination, and collaborative problem solving.
- Leads with positivity, strong communication, and project management skills, engaging peers and driving improvements.
- Brings an advanced sense of taste and smell, critical for sensory evaluation and product testing.
- Able to lift 25–50 lbs as part of regular job duties.
Salary range: $61,765.95 - $92,648.92
The actual compensation that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled.
For more information on our benefits click here .
Across our global organisation, we employ 1000 people in 8 countries – and we are growing. From production specialists to R&D experts, finance, quality, digital, marketing, sales and so much more, see what opportunities await you with Carbery and Synergy.
About Us
Our Work Experience is the combination of everything that's unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, it's our people. Our employees are self-disciplined, hard working, curious, trustworthy, humble, and truthful. They make choices according to what is best for the team, they live for opportunities to collaborate and make a difference, and they make us the #1 Top Workplace in the area.
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