Quality Assurance Manager – Food Manufacturing in Chicago, Illinois at JTM FOODS LLC

JTM Foods, LLC | Chicago, IL

Full-Time | Monday–Friday

Salary: $90,000-$100,000 annually

Are you passionate about food safety, quality, and leading a team that takes pride in producing exceptional products?

At JTM Foods, we believe quality isn't just a department — it's a commitment we make every day!

Our Chicago bakery is growing, and we're looking for an experienced, hands-on Quality Assurance Manager who is ready to take ownership of our food safety and quality programs, lead a strong QA team, and help drive continuous improvement throughout our manufacturing operation.

If you're someone who enjoys solving problems, developing people, and making a real impact in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, we want to hear from you!

As our Quality Assurance Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring our bakery consistently meets the highest standards of food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and customer expectations.

Food Safety & Quality Leadership

• Lead and manage the daily operations of the Quality Assurance department, including QA Technicians and laboratory personnel.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of our SQF Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Maintain and manage HACCP, GMP, allergen control, pest control, sanitation, traceability, recall, and other food safety programs.
• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, SQF standards, customer requirements, and company policies.
• Prepare for and lead SQF certification audits, customer audits, regulatory inspections, and internal audits.
• Develop, review, and maintain quality policies, procedures, SOPs, and documentation.

Quality Control & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct and oversee routine quality inspections, internal audits, and product evaluations.
• Identify quality concerns, investigate product defects, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Operations to resolve quality issues and improve processes.
• Analyze quality data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to reduce waste, rework, and product defects.
• Ensure testing equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and operating accurately.
• Develop and improve inspection plans, testing methods, and quality control procedures.
• Promote a proactive food safety culture throughout the facility.

Team Development & Accountability

• Lead, coach, and develop QA team members to ensure consistent execution of quality standards.
• Provide food safety, GMP, and quality training to production employees and leadership.
• Hold team members accountable for following established procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate quality concerns, corrective actions, and improvement opportunities to plant leadership.
• Build strong working relationships across departments while maintaining the integrity of our food safety programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Food Quality Assurance or a related quality management role.
• Minimum of 3 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Previous experience in a food manufacturing environment required; bakery experience is a plus.
• HACCP Certification required.
• SQF Practitioner Certification required.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, FDA regulations, food safety systems, and sanitation controls.
• Experience preparing for and managing food safety and quality audits.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience with SQF audits and certification processes.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives and quality management systems.
• Strong data analysis and root cause investigation skills.

At JTM Foods, our people are the heart of everything we do. We're proud of our continued growth, our commitment to quality, and the teams that make it all possible.

We believe in creating a workplace built around our core values:

Respect • Trust • Accountability • Teamwork • Ownership • Continuous Improvement

When you join JTM, you're joining a team where your leadership matters, your ideas are valued, and you have the opportunity to make a difference every day.

• Competitive salary: $90,000-100,000 annually
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Voluntary life insurance
• Full-time, Monday–Friday schedule
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

If you're an experienced Quality Assurance professional who takes pride in food safety, enjoys leading people, and wants to be part of a growing manufacturing team, we'd love to meet you!

Apply today and come grow with JTM Foods!

JTM Foods, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.