Quality Assurance Specialist in Glendale Heights, Illinois at U.S. Spice Mills, Inc.

Company: US Spice Mills, Inc.

Location: Glendale Heights, IL

Reports To: QA Supervisor

Position Type: Full-Time

Pay Rate Range: $26.00 - $32.00 per hour

Shift: Predictable First Shift (6:30 AM - 3:00 PM), Monday to Friday. This is an on-site, hands-on role and is not eligible for hybrid or remote work schedules.

Language Requirement: Bilingual (English/Spanish) Required

We’ve been flavoring America since 1986. As a major supplier of pure, high-quality spices to the food industry, we combine the stability of an established company with the welcoming, collaborative vibe of a family-centric environment. We care about our products, but we care about our people more.

US Spice Mills, Inc. is seeking a detail-oriented, bilingual QA Specialist to join our Quality Assurance team. This hybrid role bridges the gap between hands-on floor quality control, meticulous food safety documentation, and customer service support. You will be responsible for collecting product samples, preparing items for third-party laboratory testing, and fulfilling client documentation requests. The ideal candidate has 1–2 years of experience in food manufacturing and will play a critical role in maintaining our SQF certification, auditing product standards, and ensuring seamless communication across our English- and Spanish-speaking workforce.

• Maintain, organize, and update all Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) records.
• Translate critical FSQA documents, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and training materials from English to Spanish.
• Assist in preparing for third-party audits (SQF, FDA, Organic, Kosher).
• Compare COAs to ensure the test results match supplier’s COAs and log into the ERP system.
• Conduct supplier risk assessment by monitoring the trends and creating periodic reports.
• Customer documentation requests from Customer Service.
• Documentation folder organization.
• Primary contact for customer service information requests.
• Acknowledgment to customers for quality complaints and shelf extension requests.

• Perform routine product testing for raw materials (e.g., granulation, and organoleptic properties including color, taste, and smell, as well as packaging integrity).
• Monitor GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) adherence on the distribution center floor and deliver on-the-spot coaching to warehouse staff in English or Spanish.
• Collect and log raw material, and finished product samples for microbiological testing, coordination with third-party labs.
• Identify, hold, and document any non-conforming products or raw materials; assist in root-cause analysis and corrective actions (CAPA).

• Work Authorization: All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship now or in the future.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: 1–2 years of experience in Food Safety/Quality Assurance within a food manufacturing environment (spice, ingredient, or dry blending experience is a huge plus).

• Bilingual Fluency: Must be fully bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal). Ability to translate technical food safety concepts clearly to floor staff.
• Food Safety Knowledge: Basic understanding of HACCP/HARPC principles, GMPs, and GFSI standards (SQF or BRC).
• Technical Skills: Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel) and comfortable learning digital quality management software.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy in data entry and record-keeping; a "sharp eye" for catching deviations on the distribution center floor.

• Safety First: Commitment to consistently wearing all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and strictly following food safety guidelines.
• Sensory Environment: This position is based on-site in our spice processing facility. You should be completely comfortable working around strong, rich spice aromas, dust, and active moving equipment.
• Physical Stamina: This is a highly active role. It requires standing, walking, and bending for extended periods, as well as the ability to regularly lift up to 51 pounds.

• Comprehensive Health: Great Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance options to keep you healthy.
• A Culture of Autonomy: We don't micromanage. Your ability to self-direct and take ownership of your environment will be seen, appreciated, and celebrated.

• Competitive hourly wage based on experience.
• Healthcare Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing food manufacturing company.

U.S. Spice Mills is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, promote a safe and inclusive working environment, and welcome self-starters from all backgrounds to apply.

In accordance with Illinois state regulations, the compensation range provided reflects our good faith hourly rate for this role. Final starting pay is determined by various factors, such as specific shift assignments, relevant transferable skills, and prior operational experience.