Corporate Quality Assurance Compliance Specialist

Location: Chicago, IL

Salary: $85,000.00 USD Annually - $ USD Annually

The Corporate Quality Assurance Compliance Specialist owns supplier qualification, compliance, and ongoing performance monitoring for raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and third‑party operations. You’ll ensure suppliers meet rigorous food safety and thermal processing requirements for shelf‑stable production, while driving continuous improvement and cross‑functional alignment across the organization.

• Lead the Supplier Approval Program, ensuring documentation meets GFSI, USDA, and FDA requirements
• Assess raw material and supplier risks using Codex HACCP and FDA HARPC principles
• Evaluate supplier performance, food safety programs, and historical compliance
• Promote quality ownership across the supply chain
• Own the Allergen Management Program and maintain allergen matrices in the PLM system
• Enter, verify, and validate specifications in PLM
• Review and approve supplier documentation: HACCP/HARPC plans, GFSI certifications, allergen controls, packaging specs, Process Authority filings
• Maintain supplier quality records and systems
• Conduct quality and food safety audits of plants, suppliers, co‑manufacturers, and warehouses
• Manage corporate food safety and quality programs to ensure regulatory compliance
• Support resolution of food safety issues using root cause analysis
• Monitor emerging food safety risks, scientific developments, authenticity concerns, and regulatory changes
• Assist with maintaining certifications: USDA Organic, Non‑GMO, Kosher, Fair Trade, etc.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations
• Travel up to 30%

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Engineering
• 3+ years in Quality, Food Safety, or Regulatory Compliance
• Required experience with GFSI, Codex HACCP, and PCQI certification
• Strong understanding of food hazards and risk assessment
• Working knowledge of FDA & USDA regulations (cGMPs, FSMA, FSVP, etc.)
• Experience with GFSI schemes: SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000
• Excellent problem‑solving, communication, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

You’ll be the guardian of quality for a portfolio of household brands — influencing suppliers, shaping compliance programs, and ensuring consumers receive safe, high‑quality products every time. This role offers national visibility, cross‑functional influence, and the chance to grow within a mid‑sized CPG organization.

If you want to elevate food safety and quality across an entire supply chain, this is your next step.