Quality Control Lead

About Imbibe

Imbibe is a dynamic, high-growth food and beverage development company based in Niles, Illinois. We specialize in developing, creating, and manufacturing beverage flavors, ingredient systems, and finished food and beverage products. Our mission is to design ingredients with impact for the food and beverage industry.

Since our founding in 1963, Imbibe has been at the forefront of flavor innovation and product development. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including full product development, taste modulation, and finished product solutions. Our state-of-the-art campus features an Innovation Center and Pilot Plant that enable us to tackle industry-wide taste and texture challenges, ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality products.

At Imbibe, we pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to continuous improvement. Our values of collaboration, accountability, and entrepreneurship drive us to deliver exceptional results for our clients. We also believe in giving back to the community. Through various initiatives we support efforts to combat food insecurity in the Chicagoland area by donating ingredients and our time.

If you're passionate about the food and beverage industry and eager to make a meaningful impact, Imbibe is the place for you. Let's create something extraordinary together!

Summary of Position

The Quality Control Lead drives investigation and collaborates with other teams, both internal and external, to determine root cause analysis and corrective actions on customer complaints, out of spec materials, and other issues as they arise. This individual plays a vital role in the overall safety of the Quality Control lab and is responsible for managing the instruments/equipment, updating the lab SOPs as needed, training the lab users, and maintaining the lab inventory. 

Essential Job Duties

• Manage the quality control laboratory to optimize the value of testing performed.
• Conduct thorough root cause analyses and implement corrective actions in collaboration with production facilities to address consumer concerns and production issues.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and lead in a team environment by managing and mentoring a small team.
• Ensure consistent inventory management of flavor production and finished good retention samples.
• Develop and maintain operational, quality, and troubleshooting procedures for analytical equipment, ensuring compliance and arranging necessary service and repairs.
• Monitor and maintain laboratory supplies inventory, ensuring the timely procurement of required materials.
• Assist in maintenance of quality information system by identifying information needs and problems; recommending improvements; establishing priorities; testing; writing SOPs and ensuring availability at each workstation; training employees.
• Ensure users have been trained on the correct use of equipment; schedule and lead training for new users and retraining for lab users who need refresher training; track noncompliance with policies/procedures.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on analytical testing parameters, offering technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the R&D team to evaluate and optimize testing and sampling programs.
• Work with Product Developers to establish accurate Finished Product Specifications and ensure data accuracy.
• Provide technical leadership to the laboratory along with maintaining professional and technical knowledge.
• Prepare and analyze samples as needed, including production and shelf-life extension approvals, and perform root cause analysis on out-of-specification samples.
• Conduct and record analytical tests such as pH, TA, Brix, SG, and particle size.
• Effectively manage multiple assignments simultaneously, demonstrating strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, Nutrition, or other related field.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills is highly important.
• Ability to manage processes and data.
• Experience in presenting and training to technical knowledge.
• Equipment maintenance capability.
• Knowledge of internal and 2nd/3rd party auditing.
• 4+ years experience in a Quality role with increasing responsibilities
• Ability to communicate information and exchange ideas with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Must be able to sit, stand, or remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• May occasionally need to move, lift, or transport containers of ingredients weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to food and beverage product tastings which may include allergens.

Working Conditions

• Office setting
• Typical food/beverage laboratory setting for all hands-on development work including the use of standard laboratory equipment.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range listed represents the expected earnings for this role. The low end of the range reflects the starting salary for candidates with less experience or qualifications that meet the basic requirements for the position. The high end of the range reflects potential earnings for candidates with extensive experience, specialized skills, or qualifications above the standard requirements for the role.

Imbibe supports employee well-being and professional growth by offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following: 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care
• 401k retirement plan with company contribution and match
• FSA and HSA account
• Generous company holidays, PTO, and sick time
• Onsite gym and wellness opportunities 
• Paid parental leave
• Life and disability insurance
• Learning and professional development opportunities