Quality Control Manager

Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. is seeking a Quality Control Manager to lead our Quality Control operations at our Northbrook, IL location. This role ensures raw materials and finished products meet established safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements while leading a team of QC professionals in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Quality Control operations, including analytical, microbiological, and organoleptic testing programs.
• Ensure the timely release of raw materials and finished products in accordance with established specifications.
• Develop, monitor, and report key performance indicators related to QC effectiveness, workload, and turnaround times.
• Train, coach, and develop QC laboratory personnel while supporting skill development, cross-training, and performance management.
• Maintain laboratory compliance with cGMP, GLP, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, OSHA, customer, and internal requirements.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Lead investigations related to non-conforming materials, out-of-specification results, customer complaints, root cause analysis, CAPAs, and corrective actions.
• Oversee laboratory documentation, SOPs, method validations, change controls, deviations, equipment calibration, qualification, and service contracts.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, R&D, QA, Procurement, and leadership to resolve quality issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure safe laboratories and manufacturing practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Food Science, Biology, or a related scientific field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of quality control or analytical laboratory experience in food, flavor, beverage, pharmaceutical, or related manufacturing environment.
• At least 2 years of laboratory leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, cGMP, GLP, and food safety/quality regulations.
• Experience with sensory evaluation, organoleptic testing, and analytical techniques relevant to flavor manufacturing.
• Strong people management, coaching, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, analyze trends, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
• USDA processing experience, advanced scientific degrees, and SQF Practitioner experience are preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $70,000 - $120,000
• Full-time benefits package
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Supportive and collaborative team environment
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Join Bell to lead a critical quality function, support product quality and customer satisfaction, and drive operational excellence across manufacturing operations.