Director of Quality Control

Job Details:

Job Location:

GLENVIEW, IL 60025

Position Type:
Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Salary Range: $ - $

Job Category: QA - Quality Control

About Us:

Leahy-IFP, now integrated into Finlays Solutions, brings together specialized beverage manufacturing expertise with the scale of a global industry leader. Finlays Solutions is a leading partner to the B2B beverage manufacturing industry, recognized for its deep expertise, strong industry relationships, and commitment to innovation. The company plays a central role in supporting beverage brands, flavor houses, private label partners, and manufacturers through high-quality products, technical capabilities, and collaborative problem-solving.

With a strong presence in the ready‑to‑drink beverage market, Finlays Solutions focuses on identifying emerging opportunities, expanding into new market spaces, and delivering solutions that meet evolving customer and consumer needs. Finlays Solutions operates with a strong commitment to its mission, values, ethics, and long‑term goals, ensuring that every initiative reflects the company’s dedication to integrity, partnership, and sustainable success.

The Director of Quality Control, reporting to the VP of Quality and part of the Quality Leadership Team, provides strategic and operational leadership for all Quality Control, Sanitation, and Laboratory functions across five U.S. Finlays Solutions manufacturing sites. The role ensures raw materials, in‑process controls, finished goods, and hygiene/sanitation meet internal specs, customer expectations, and regulatory/third‑party standards. This leader drives standardization, data integrity, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency across tea, coffee, botanical, and fruit‑based beverage portfolios, supported by strong people leadership and budget management.

Quality & Food Safety Leadership:

• Implement, execute, and improve quality systems aligned with GFSI, including food safety, allergens, food defense, food fraud, and sanitation programs.
• Maintain external certifications (e.g., Organic, Fairtrade, RA, Kosher, Halal) in collaboration with the Director of Quality Assurance.
• Govern HACCP and site Food Safety Teams to ensure accurate risk assessments and effective controls.
• Oversee documentation, non conformance management, complaint handling, audits, incident management, validation/verification, and cost‑of‑non conformance programs.
• Ensure customer technical requirements are met, collaborating with Commercial on key customer relationships.
• Support supplier management, co‑packers/co‑manufacturers, regulatory compliance, legal registers, and Agrochemical/Contaminant policy.

Quality Control & Laboratory Management:

• Oversee laboratory operations to ensure reliable, repeatable analytical and sensory results guiding raw material, process, and product decisions.
• Implement and validate analytical methods, calibrations, ring testing, and equipment maintenance.
• Use monitoring/measurement systems and visual management to support process control.
• Manage QC budgets, laboratory Capex, data storage/traceability, and lab throughput/utilization.
• Introduce new analytical technologies and support Commercial, R&D, and Innovation.
• Oversee at source quality activities within operations.

Quality Improvement:

• Lead quality improvement projects with Operations using scientific, data‑driven problem solving.
• Support commissioning of new products/processes, ensuring quality, food safety, and compliance.
• Drive transition to online/inline monitoring and support training and deployment of quality programs.

People Leadership & Development:

• Build and lead a high‑performing team with clear strategy, capability frameworks, coaching, and cross‑site knowledge sharing.
• Drive performance management, succession planning, and Quality/Food Safety culture aligned to Finlays values.
• Engage external industry experts to elevate team exposure and best practices.
• Set objectives and deliverables; conduct 1:1s, performance reviews, and development plans.
• Mentor and guide direct reports, provide stretch assignments, and ensure accountability.
• Resolve conflicts effectively…