Job description
HarvestPeak Foods is a premier producer of premium ready-to-eat meals, committed to safety, quality, and sustainability. We are seeking a results-driven Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager to lead our QA program in Chicago. This role plays a pivotal part in ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across our production facilities.
As the QA Manager, you will partner with Operations, Research and Development, and Supply Chain to implement robust QA processes, drive corrective actions, and protect brand integrity across all product lines. You will lead audits, manage supplier qualification, and guide a cross-functional team toward world-class quality performance.
Responsibility
- Develop, implement, and maintain HACCP, GMP, and SQF-based quality assurance programs across all production lines and facilities.
- Lead internal and third-party audits, manage CAPA processes, and drive root-cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
- Oversee supplier qualification, incoming materials testing, and quality verification of all raw and packaging materials.
- Monitor quality KPIs, analyze data trends, and lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and waste.
- Collaborate with Operations and Research and Development on new product launches, process validation, and line clearance procedures.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and maintain up-to-date documentation and recall readiness.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a closely related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of QA/Quality Assurance management experience in food manufacturing.
- Deep knowledge of HACCP, GMP, SQF, and ISO 22000; proven track record leading audits and CAPA.
- Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills with experience in statistical methods and quality tooling.
- Excellent cross-functional communication and leadership abilities to influence operations and senior leadership.
- Proficiency with ERP/quality management software (e.g., SAP) and data visualization tools.