Quality Lead (Chicago)

Join to apply for the Quality Lead role at Unilever

Join to apply for the Quality Lead role at Unilever

About Unilever

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

About Unilever

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our, collaborative, and flexible working environment.We dont believe in the one size fits all approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

Background & Purpose of the Role

The Quality Lead plays a pivotal role in advancing our manufacturing facilities toward World Class Manufacturing (WCM) standardsdefined by zero defects, zero waste, and zero losses. This position is responsible for deploying a comprehensive suite of Focused and Quality Improvement methodologies to mitigate quality-related losses and support cross-functional excellence. The role serves as a critical link between production, quality, and logistics, ensuring seamless end-to-end operations that uphold the highest standards of product integrity and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of quality analysts and technicians, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide day-to-day quality support to production and logistics teams, ensuring timely resolution of quality issues.
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for quality laboratory testing equipment and sanitation protocols, including Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems.
• Directly supervise the Sanitation Specialist and the sanitation team, providing leadership, guidance, and performance oversight. This includes ensuring sanitation operations meet regulatory and internal standards, and driving continuous improvement in hygiene practices.
• Develop and implement validation protocols, inspection procedures, and statistical quality control methods for raw materials, in-process, and finished goods.
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), food safety regulations, and internal quality standards.
• Investigate product defects, recommend corrective actions, and generate comprehensive reports and action plans.
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with internal stakeholders (e.g., Production, Maintenance, Facilities, R&D, Supply Chain Planning) and external partners.
• Coordinate D-Incident investigations using SAP, manage issue tracking, and oversee the business waste budget.
• Drive the development of quality competencies across the site through WCM methodologies.
• Promote a quality-first mindset and embed quality principles into daily operations.

What You Will Need To Succeed

Education: Bachelors degree in Food Science, Mechanical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering (or related field).

Experience

• Demonstrated leadership in managing quality teams.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, process control tools, and data stratification.
• Hands-on experience with quality laboratory operations and equipment.

Core Competencies

• Inspirational Leadership: Empowers teams to achieve collective success.
• Systems Thinking: Connects quality systems to operational outcomes.
• Change Agility: Champions innovation and continuous improvement.
• Cultural Stewardship: Fosters a workplace culture centered on quality, safety, and consumer trust.

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

Pay: The pay range for this position is $86,080 to $129,120. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

#WC123

Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Distribution and Supply Chain

• Industries

  Manufacturing, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, and Food and Beverage Services

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