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Quality Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Quality Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$23 - $26/hr

What You'll Do As a Quality and Inventory Control Associate, your primary role is to ensure that our products consistently meet food safety and quality standards while maintaining accurate inventory ...

What You'll Do As a Quality and Inventory Control Associate, your primary role is to ensure that our products consistently meet food safety and quality standards while maintaining accurate inventory ...

Quality Systems Associate Summary: Under the direct supervision of the Quality Systems Manager, perform quality assurance and Training functions to ensure compliance with internal and external ...

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Quality Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11

$27

$52

How much do quality associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for quality associate in Chicago, IL is $27.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.80 and $32.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Quality Associates?

Quality Associates are professionals responsible for ensuring that products or services meet established quality standards before reaching customers. They assist in monitoring production processes, performing inspections, and documenting quality issues or defects. Quality Associates also help implement quality control procedures and work closely with other departments to resolve any quality-related problems. Their role is essential in maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and ensuring customer satisfaction.

What is the difference between Quality Associate vs Quality Technician?

AspectQuality AssociateQuality Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer certifications like ASQ CQPAHigh school diploma; certifications like CQTA are common but not always required
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, manufacturing floors, labsManufacturing plants, labs, production lines
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, automotiveManufacturing, electronics, pharmaceuticals
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level quality rolesSimilar roles but more technical focus

While both roles focus on quality assurance, a Quality Associate typically handles documentation, audits, and process improvements, often in office or administrative settings. A Quality Technician usually performs hands-on inspections, testing, and data collection directly on the production floor. Both roles are essential in maintaining product quality but differ in their daily tasks and work environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Quality Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Quality Associate, you need attention to detail, knowledge of quality control principles, and often a degree in science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with quality management systems (such as ISO 9001), statistical analysis tools, and documentation software is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities help you collaborate across teams and address process issues effectively. These skills and qualities ensure that products and processes consistently meet standards, minimizing errors and maintaining compliance.

What are some common challenges Quality Associates face when working on cross-functional teams?

Quality Associates often collaborate with departments like manufacturing, engineering, and regulatory affairs to ensure product quality standards are met. One common challenge is balancing differing priorities—while production teams may be focused on output and speed, Quality Associates must prioritize compliance and thorough documentation. Navigating these competing interests requires strong communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Building positive relationships across teams and fostering a culture of quality can help overcome these challenges and ensure successful outcomes.

What Does a Quality Associate Do?

A quality associate works as part of a team, typically in the manufacturing industry, to inspect and audit a factory to ensure that production follows the necessary protocols and delivers the expected results. In this role, your responsibilities involve all aspects of quality control. You test procedures and make adjustments as required to meet goals and deadlines. As part of your duties, you log your findings and implement a plan for the smooth operation of the line for the long-term. Some people in this career specialize in a particular facet of the manufacturing process.

What are the most commonly searched types of Quality jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Quality jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Quality Associate jobs in Chicago, IL? For Quality Associate jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Quality Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Quality Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Quality Associate jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Quality Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Quality Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,753 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

$23 - $26/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Location: 6500 W 51 St. Chicago, IL 60638
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $23 - $26/hr
Schedule: Monday-Friday (5-day work week)
Who We Are
Conexus Food Solutions is a leader in the Asian food service industry, bringing a diverse range of ethnic cuisines, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai, to the table. Our corporate headquarters in Chicago is where we house our fully integrated food processing, manufacturing, logistics, and worldwide supply chain services all under one roof. With distribution centers spanning the US, over 2 million square feet of warehousing space, and a fleet of more than 1,000 trucks, we're the go-to when it comes to reliable delivery services.
At Conexus Food Solutions, we believe that teamwork and collaboration are the keys to success. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of integrity and honesty in everything we do and building strong relationships with our clients. We're looking for individuals who share our values and are committed to excellence. Join our team and contribute to our culture of collaboration and integrity while growing your own skills and expertise. Together, we'll deliver high-quality products and exceptional service to our clients and achieve great things.
What You'll Do
As a Quality and Inventory Control Associate, your primary role is to ensure that our products consistently meet food safety and quality standards while maintaining accurate inventory, complying with company, state, and FDA regulations. Your role is not just ensuring the quality of products and accuracy of inventory, but also safeguarding the trust that customers put in us.
You will be responsible for:
  • Conducting inbound and outbound product inspections and verifying inventory accuracy at each stage.
  • Managing and/or assisting with product allergen inspections, ensuring accurate allergen labeling on food products to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Calibrating thermometers for warehouse use and monitoring cooler and freezer temperatures.
  • Conducting routine and cycle inventory counts, reconciling discrepancies, and maintaining up-to-date inventory records.
  • Assisting in the performance of technical operations like setting up 2nd shift picking by applying QC verification labels, examining products, recording results, and taking corrective actions if necessary.
  • Tracking and managing inventory levels to minimize waste, shrinkage, and stock discrepancies.
  • Assisting in the evaluation and resolution of customer complaints through vendor scorecards, including but not limited to quantifying reasons for rejected loads (i.e. yellowing, browning, temperature damage, etc.)
  • Helping support the development of vendor scorecards.
  • Supporting ERP/PDA scanner testing and ensuring accurate inventory data entry across systems.
  • Assisting in generating inventory and quality reports as requested by management.
  • Overseeing the disposal of expired products and maintaining accurate records of all removed inventory.
  • Performing glass and brittle plastic audits.
  • Collaborating with internal teams to facilitate continuous improvement in both quality and inventory processes.
  • Recommending process improvements for efficient quality control and inventory management.
  • Analyzing trends in inspection and inventory data to proactively identify potential issues.
  • Paying attention to the details of product quality standards and inventory accuracy.
  • Fulfilling any other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements for the role:
  • Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
  • Must be able to work in various temperatures as cold as -10°F.
  • Must be able to lift 20-30 lbs regularly and 100 lbs occasionally.
  • Must possess manual dexterity to handle tools.

Qualifications
  • High School Diploma
  • Basic Microsoft Word & Excel Skills
  • Minimum of 1 year of quality control and/or inventory management experience (preferred)
  • Previous experience working with food allergens (preferred)
  • Experience with ERP or inventory management systems (preferred)
  • Bilingual in either Chinese or Spanish and English (preferred)