Competency Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.
With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife's portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.
A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.
To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.
job purpose:
The Sr. Quality Systems Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of the fairlife integrated management systems. Developing the ISO certification program and maintaining Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification program for all manufacturing sites as well as coordination of certification audits. QSM will function as enterprise quality and food safety representative to ensure compliance within existing programs and proper execution of plant expansion, new equipment installation/upgrade, and new process implementation in accordance with food safety corporate standards, HACCP/FSMA principles, and all federal, state and local regulations in support of creating and maintaining a positive food safety and quality manufacturing culture and environment.
QSM will deliver audit competencies to ensure the system and sites are operating as designed and performance is monitored. Develop and implement strategies and programs to mitigate food safety risks across the fairlife network; this includes ensuring that customer requirements and regulatory changes are appropriately reflected in these programs to strengthen compliance.
responsibilities:

• Integrated Management Systems (IMS): Lead the development, standardization, and integration of approved Quality and Food Safety Management Systems across all fairlife™ manufacturing and future operation sites to protect the brand and drive continuous improvement, including enterprise GFSI implementation and sustainment.
• Quality Governance & Document Control: Own enterprise quality governance and the QMS Document Control Program, ensuring standardization of controlled documents, authoring and updating policies, and managing archival of obsolete or redundant documentation.
• Certification Leadership: Serve as primary liaison with certification bodies and lead the attainment and maintenance of required certifications, including GFSI, ISO, Kosher, and Halal, aligned with business and quality strategy.
• Audit & Management Review Programs: Provide strategic leadership for enterprise audit programs, including development, standardization, scheduling, and integration of internal audits and management reviews to ensure compliance, change management, and performance improvement.
• Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA): Lead quality escalation and continuous improvement activities, including deviation management, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action implementation, and certification-related CAPA closure and effectiveness verification.
• Risk Management: Proactively assess quality and supply chain risks, identify potential disruptions or compliance gaps, and develop mitigation strategies to safeguard product integrity and business continuity.
• Training & Competency: Establish competency requirements and provide training and technical support to ensure consistent execution of quality systems, standards, and food safety programs across all sites.
• Safety & Sustainability: Support and advance organizational commitments to safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices, contributing to long-term operational excellence and environmental stewardship.

skills/qualifications required:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science, Microbiology or closely related field required
• At least 8 years of experience in food manufacturing and quality assurance
• Certified or actively working to achieve certification in: HACCP, PCQI, Lead Auditor, and Better Process Control School
• Strong working knowledge of Quality Assurance and Food Safety principles
• Previous experience in developing policy standards and implementing HACCP, GFSI (FSSC 22000) and Integrated Management Systems (ISO) in support of plant certifications including Kosher, & Halal as required.
• Strong auditing/assessment/analytical skills
• Ability to gain understanding and assess compliance with KORE (Coca-Cola Requirements)
• Ability to interact effectively with third party and internal auditors
• Ability to influence management & enable the activities of employee teams
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong computer and document management skills

working conditions and physical requirements:

• 40-45 hours as needed
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

food safety requirements:

• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required.

how fairlife nourishes you:
At fairlife, we believe in better - and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

fairlife's nour!sh program is designed to meet you where you are - supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.
position location: Goodyear, AZ, Webster, NY, Coopersville, MI, Chicago, IL
reports to: Quality Systems Director
travel requirements: 30-40%
exempt/nonexempt: exempt
*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.
Base pay range:
$125,000-$145,000 USD
fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email careers@fairlife.com.
For Recruitment AgenciesAt fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.
As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.
Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.