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Quality Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Quality Assurance Manager

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$68K - $98K/yr

... Quality Associate; including direction, assignment of work, hiring, development and training, disciplinary actions, termination, maintenance of personnel records, work schedule and delegation ...

Quality Lead

Bedford Park, IL · On-site

$21.85 - $32.78/hr

Maintains Quality Associates Skill Matrix. Required Education and Experience: * College degree is preferred, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 5-10 years of experience in a ...

New

The Quality Assurance Associate audits our production processes to ensure our customers receive a safe, high-quality product. This position completes various inspections on the quality of fresh ...

The Quality Assurance Associate audits our production processes to ensure our customers receive a safe, high-quality product. This position completes various inspections on the quality of fresh ...

The Associate Quality Engineer is responsible for supporting the daily quality activities including inspection, testing, ensuring quality system compliance, reduction of waste/non-conforming material ...

Quality Lead

Bedford Park, IL · On-site

$21.85 - $32.78/hr

Maintains Quality Associates Skill Matrix. Required Education and Experience: * College degree is preferred, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 5-10 years of experience in a ...

Maintains Quality Associates Skill Matrix. Required Education and Experience: * College degree is preferred, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 5-10 years of experience in a ...

Quality Lead

Bedford Park, IL · On-site

$21.85 - $32.78/hr

Maintains Quality Associates Skill Matrix. Required Education and Experience: * College degree is preferred, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 5-10 years of experience in a ...

Quality Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21.85 - $32.78/hr

Maintains Quality Associates Skill Matrix. Required Education and Experience: * College degree is preferred, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 5-10 years of experience in a ...

Job Summary Responsible for providing basic quality support to the Division including complaint investigation, resolution, and reporting. Assist with routine product evaluations, set basic quality ...

Showing results 21-40

Quality Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11

$27

$52

How much do quality associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 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 is a quality associate?

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 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 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 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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,707 per year, or $27.7 per hour.

Food Safety Quality Regulatory Associate Chemist - 12 hour rotating shift

Cargill

Hammond, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Cargill rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 224 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 49 rated food wholesalers


Job description

Cargill is a family company committed to providing food and agricultural solutions to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. We sit at the heart of the supply chain, partnering with producers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living. By providing customers with lifes essentials, we enable businesses to grow, communities to prosper, and consumers to live well.

This position is in our Food Enterprise where we are committed to serving food manufacturers, food service customers, and retailers with a complete range of innovative ingredients and branded products. Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate.

Job Purpose and Impact

The Food Safety Quality Regulatory Associate Chemist - 12 hour rotating shift , will ensure products meet or exceed customer requirements for quality and food safety. In this role, you will apply basic understanding of plant processes to monitor quality assurance systems including instrumentation calibration, maintenance, crosschecks, methods, procedures, raw materials, food safety and training. You will provide technical advice and support to production operations to ensure product quality, minimize process variation, process recoveries, waste reduction and cost minimization and improve customer satisfaction.

Key Accountabilities
  • Assure product meets compliance specifications and overall final product approval checks.
  • Data analysis, trend identification, troubleshooting, corrective action and communication with regard to processing data.
  • Assess process quality parameters and food safety and quality systems daily, including cross checks, raw materials, calibration, maintenance, procedures, food safety, training, auditing and oversight of analytical testing performed in control rooms.
  • Training of new food safety and quality chemists, analysts, operators, technicians and personnel from other functional areas.
  • Handle basic issues and problems under direct supervision, while escalating more complex issues to appropriate staff.
  • Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelors degree in a related field or equivalent experience
Preferred Qualifications
  • Ability to adapt and learn in a changing work environment
  • Ability to anticipate, recognize, and seek process and laboratory problems, implement improvements based on the findings
  • Strong analytical skills to evaluate change factors and formulate independent decisions
  • Experience with email, spreadsheet and word processing applications
Position information:
  • Relocation will not be provided for this position
  • Work schedule:Rotating shift 12 hrs Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun and then next week Wed and Thurs 6:30 am -6:30 pm or 6:30 pm- 6:30 am
  • Position is based in Hammond,IN

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Vet


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About Cargill

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cargill was founded in 1865 as a single grain warehouse in Iowa, U.S. Since then, we’ve grown to become a global partner connecting people around the planet. But one thing has remained constant over the years: our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Cargill is committed to conducting business with integrity, operating responsibly, enriching communities and nourishing the world. In the fiscal year 2021, Cargill provided $110.5 million in total charitable contributions in 56 countries to support our communities. Cargill businesses and employee-led groups partner with local civic, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations on programs and projects that improve food security and nutrition; support human rights, equity and inclusion; strengthen farmer livelihoods; and advance our commitments in the areas of land use, water and climate.

Industry

Food and drink manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Minneapolis, MN, US