Regional Quality Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Regional Quality Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing the quality control and food safety systems at our Elgin location to ensure that all products meet the required food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. This role will involve leading a quality and food safety team, managing audits and certifications, ensuring compliance with internal and external standards, and driving continuous improvement across the production process. This role is the SME for food site at PPG and will lead Quality and Food Safety initiatives and implementations across the region (Illinois/Chicagoland.) This role is customer facing.

• Key accountability for Elgin food site (24-hour operation)
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive quality assurance programs to ensure food safety and regulatory compliance (including SQF, HACCP, GMP, and FSMA) both at local site and enterprise wide.
• Establish, update, and enforce policies and procedures to meet federal, state, and local regulations (FDA, USDA, and other applicable food safety laws), industry standards, and customer requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits, including third-party certification audits (SQF), customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure the facilities are consistently audit-ready by monitoring programs, records, and floor operations.
• Manage and ensure timely completion of corrective and preventive actions from audit findings.
• Investigate quality and food safety related issues, conduct root cause analysis, and develop corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead initiatives for continuous improvement in product quality, efficiency, and food safety, using data analysis, customer feedback, and internal performance metrics.
• Supervise, train, and mentor a team of QA professionals across multiple sites – food and non-food secondary packaging. Ensure the team is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their roles effectively and remain compliant with food safety and quality standards. Conduct performance evaluations, set team objectives, and support career development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on new project launches, ensuring all food safety and quality requirements are met.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Fluent English writing/speaking required. Bi-lingual (Spanish) preferred.
• BS Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Engineering, or related business degree required. Master’s Degree Preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in quality and food safety, including 7+ years in a leadership role within a food manufacturing environment (co-manufacturing, Fast Moving Consumer Goods - FMCG.)
• Deep understanding of food safety regulations, GMP, HACCP, and SQF standards. Familiarity with FDA, USDA, and other relevant regulatory bodies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to work cross-functionally, manage projects, and lead a team to drive continuous improvement.
• Previous experience with GFSI (SQF) audits.
• Certified in HACCP, PCQI, and SQF Practitioner.