Innovation Quality Specialist

Job description

Job Title: Innovation Quality SpecialistJob Description
We are seeking an Innovation Quality Specialist in Chicago, IL, to play a critical role in the commercialization of products.

This position acts as the project manager between innovation and quality, working cross-functionally to bring new products to market.

The role includes local and international travel, offering a unique opportunity for candidates interested in a dynamic and evolving work environment.
Responsibilities

+ Support plant trials both locally and internationally, as well as first production runs.

+ Collaborate cross-functionally, including with the R&D team, to understand trial timelines and support new innovation and process improvement.

+ Participate in project calls, providing input and suggestions from a Corporate Quality perspective.

+ Obtain data from cross-functional team members to monitor data trends and suggest improvements.

+ Ensure trial readiness by verifying food safety and quality documentation requirements.

+ Implement pilots and continuous improvement plans through a project management leadership style.

+ Ensure safety of premium items by verifying lab results, following up with labs and vendors, and releasing items from holds.

+ Lead the development of Product Quality Standards for new products, including quality parameters and Product Quality Control plans.

+ Review and approve supply chain escalations.

+ Review ingredient approvals and sensory evaluations as needed.

+ Work within SAP PLM for documentation review.

+ Develop and support the implementation of Quality tools and platforms.

+ Assess manufacturing activities to identify and support continuous improvement opportunities.

+ Maintain standards of product consistency, adherence to critical control points, and sensory quality.

+ Collaborate with front-line factory associates.

+ Model, lead, and coach best continuous improvement and quality practices.

+ Engage, collaborate, and influence stakeholders to ensure support and adoption of quality standards.

Essential Skills

+ Expertise in food safety, quality assurance, HACCP, FSMA, and GFSI.

+ Bachelor's degree in sciences such as food science, biology, chemistry, or a related field.

+ 2-3 years of experience working in a food manufacturing company, preferably within snacks or candies.

+ Understanding of HACCP, FSMA, and other relevant food regulations.

+ Experience with plant trials, first production runs, and/or first case reviews.

+ Understanding of data reporting, tracking, and analyzing data trends.

+ Skills in continuous improvement, first case review, plant trials, production cycle, product development, product innovation, and commercialization.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

+ Project management skills.

+ Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to provide project updates efficiently and concisely.

+ Experience in cross-functional teamwork.

+ Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.

Work Environment
The Innovation Quality Specialist will travel to local sites 2-3 times a week to support trial runs at plants located in Forest Park, Bellwood, Little Village (31st St), Dekalb, and Itasca.

International travel to the Mexico plant is required every few weeks, with travel requirements communicated a week in advance.

Flexibility in travel is non-negotiable and critical for this role.

When not at the plant, the Specialist may work from the office at the Old Chicago Post Office in downtown Chicago, with potential flexibility to work from home once comfortable in the role.

This position is slated to continue until Q1 of 2027.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Chicago, Illinois.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $34.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment.

Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 24, 2025.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions.

We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market.

With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.

Required Skill Profession

Other General