Quality Assurance Lead- 1st shift

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private-label and contract-packing food manufacturer specializing in frozen pizza, with facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin. We supply products to national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, and industrial accounts.

About the role

This position provides leadership for basic laboratory functions and QA inspection on the production floor. The QA Lead facilitates communication between QA and production departments, directs QA resources to resolve quality issues promptly, and ensures QA-dependent monitoring and verification tasks are completed without delaying production.

Responsibilities

• Provides functional support to Production, Maintenance, and R&D personnel on product quality and food safety matters.
• Determines testing recourse and disposition for production batches that cannot meet specifications.
• Holds final decision (in the QA Manager’s absence) on whether finished product remains on QA hold.
• Facilitates completion of off-shift tasks as instructed by the QA Supervisor.
• Fills in for absent technicians, including working flexible hours to support team needs.
• Reports all off-shift issues to the QA Supervisor and ensures proper documentation (Embargo, Incident reports, Lab sheets).
• Facilitates and executes the environmental monitoring program.
• Supports the raw material receiving program, monitors documentation, and ensures FSMA compliance.
• Maintains ownership of equipment calibrations, including the ESE infrared analyzer.
• Assists with HACCP program training, updates, enforcement, internal audits, and Brittle Plastics Inspections.
• Handles filing, logging, data entry of Quality Records, and maintains laboratory supply inventory.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by Richelieu Foods management.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in quality.
• Knowledge of FDA and USDA laws and requirements for food manufacturers.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, including math proficiency.
• Computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel).
• Certified or able to become certified in HACCP/Food Safety Plans, SQF Practitioner, Acidified Process, and PCQI (FSMA).
• Exceptional sensory abilities for routine inspection and evaluation of products, materials, and processes.
• Strong team player.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and power industrial trucks. The environment is frequently cold, wet, and/or humid, with a loud noise level.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand for the duration of the production shift, talk, hear, use hands or fingers to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to walk.
• Infrequently required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 70 pounds.

Pay

Starting hourly rate: $27.00/hr. Eligible for overtime pay.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Pre-tax spending accounts.
• 401K with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Life insurance.

This position is based at our Wheeling, IL location.