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Quality Control Lead Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Quality Control Lead, in collaboration with management, provides day-to-day leadership to a team of Quality Control (QC) Technicians devoted to measuring and analyzing product and inputting data.

Generalist / QC Lead

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Position Summary The Generalist / QC Lead oversees the full unit turn process, coordinating maintenance staff and ensuring that all work is completed to meet NSpire inspection standards. This role ...

Position Summary The Generalist / QC Lead oversees the full unit turn process, coordinating maintenance staff and ensuring that all work is completed to meet NSpire inspection standards. This role ...

Senior SMT Quality Control Lead Location: Silicon Valley, CA Schedule: Full-Time | 1st Shift Pay: $24-$26/hour + Overtime Opportunities A growing and well-established Electronics Manufacturing ...

New

SMT QC

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$24 - $27/hr

The QC Lead will assign tasks as required to QC inspectors to satisfy production needs while maintaining a high level of quality. . Essential Duties and Responsibilities: ยท Report to Quality ...

SMT QC

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$24 - $27/hr

The QC Lead will assign tasks as required to QC inspectors to satisfy production needs while maintaining a high level of quality. . Essential Duties and Responsibilities: ยท Report to Quality ...

Construction QA/QC Lead - Disaster Recovery

Riverside, CA ยท On-site +1

$87K - $115K/yr

ICF is seeking a Construction QA/QC Lead to assist Los Angeles County with managing federal disaster recovery grant programs and carrying out strategic, high-impact activities to rebuild housing ...

Construction QA/QC Lead - Disaster Recovery

Irvine, CA ยท On-site +1

$89K - $119K/yr

ICF is seeking a Construction QA/QC Lead to assist Los Angeles County with managing federal disaster recovery grant programs and carrying out strategic, high-impact activities to rebuild housing ...

Construction QA/QC Lead - Disaster Recovery

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site +1

$90K - $119K/yr

ICF is seeking a Construction QA/QC Lead to assist Los Angeles County with managing federal disaster recovery grant programs and carrying out strategic, high-impact activities to rebuild housing ...

Quality Inspector

Poway, CA ยท On-site

$23 - $28/hr

The QC Lead performs inspections alongside the team and also coordinates daily inspector assignments so the right inspectors are at the right stations at the right time. This role is the first ...

Showing results 21-40

Quality Control Lead information

See California salary details

$13

$31

$81

How much do quality control lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for quality control lead in California is $31.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $39.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Quality Control Lead typically interact with production and engineering teams to resolve quality issues?

A Quality Control Lead works closely with both production and engineering teams to identify, investigate, and resolve quality concerns. This collaboration often involves reviewing production data, conducting root cause analyses, and participating in cross-functional meetings to develop corrective action plans. Effective communication and strong problem-solving skills are essential, as the Quality Control Lead must ensure that all stakeholders understand quality standards and that improvements are implemented promptly to prevent recurrence. This role also frequently involves providing feedback and training to ensure alignment on quality objectives across teams.

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

To thrive as a Quality Control Lead, you need expertise in quality assurance processes, statistical analysis, and a relevant degree in science or engineering. Familiarity with quality management systems (such as ISO 9001), inspection tools, and often certifications like Six Sigma or ASQ are typically required. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are essential for managing teams and ensuring standards are met. These competencies are crucial for maintaining product quality, complying with regulations, and driving continuous improvement within an organization.

What is the difference between Quality Control Lead vs Quality Assurance Specialist?

AspectQuality Control LeadQuality Assurance Specialist
CertificationsISO 9001, Six Sigma, CQEISO 9001, Six Sigma, CQE
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, production, labsDevelopment, process improvement, audits
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, industrial sectorsSoftware, healthcare, manufacturing

The Quality Control Lead focuses on inspecting and testing products to ensure they meet quality standards, often working directly on the production line. The Quality Assurance Specialist develops and implements quality systems and processes to prevent defects. While both roles require similar certifications and work in related environments, the QC Lead emphasizes product inspection, whereas the QA Specialist emphasizes process improvement and compliance.

What does a quality control lead do?

A quality control lead oversees the inspection and testing of products or services to ensure they meet quality standards. They develop procedures, train staff, and use tools like checklists and quality management systems to identify and resolve issues, maintaining consistent product quality and compliance with regulations.

What are popular job titles related to Quality Control Lead jobs in CA?

For Quality Control Lead jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Quality Control Lead job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,835 per year, or $31.7 per hour.

3rd shift Quality Control Lead

SCN BestCo

Santa Cruz, CA โ€ข On-site

$56 - $85/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

We believe being healthy should not require tradeoffs. SCN BestCo is a leading innovator, developer and manufacturer of Vitamin, Mineral & Supplement (VMS), Over-the-Counter (OTC) and prebiotics/probiotics in enjoyable forms such as gummies, lozenges and chews. With over 50 years of excellence, our team leads the way in changing how consumers make healthier choices. With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, weโ€™ve pioneered many firsts. The fire in our belly to create new to the world products has guided and continues to be core to our mission of making health and wellness more enjoyable. Come join us and become a part of our winning formula!

The Quality Control Lead, in collaboration with management, provides day-to-day leadership to a team of Quality Control (QC) Technicians devoted to measuring and analyzing product and inputting data. This lead technical position requires inspection skills with attention to detail while performing product and/or packaging inspections. The QC Lead collaborates with a team of technicians, professionals, production staff, and leaders to ensure the highest quality levels of all company products.

Estimated starting annual base salary is $27.10-$40.64 per hour less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. Please note that the actual compensation offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined by the Company, which may include, but is not limited to, location, experience, qualifications, education, skillset, and market conditions. The target base compensation for this role is in the low to middle of the range, with the top of the range reserved for only exceptional circumstances. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary, variable annual incentive, paid based on Company performance factors. SCN BestCo offers a competitive benefits package to eligible full-time employees, which currently includes medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with employer matching contributions, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more, as well as paid sick leave in accordance with applicable law. Each benefit is subject to eligibility requirements as specified in plan documents, and the Company reserves the right to modify the benefits it offers from time to time.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Provide day-to-day guidance and training to QC Technicians in collaboration with management.
  • Support leadership with product investigations, plant trials, and other related projects.
  • Ensure QC team is meeting product quality standards at all times. Escalate concerns to management as needed.
  • Ensure and enforce compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), company, and other regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain and update documentation including the Hold Log.
  • Collaborate with and support Production, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Research & Development, Sanitation, and Warehouse staff as needed.
  • Field team requests, as well as all other departments, to support questions, inspections, disposition of product, etc.
  • In collaboration with management, support enforcement of plant policies and procedures including gowning, GMPs, etc.
  • Verify product, packaging materials, and labels meet all documented specifications.
  • Verify adequate sanitation and line clearances are obtained between product runs.
  • Verify weights and date code printing are within specifications.
  • Check product for defect levels and document results.
  • Collect and process finished product samples.
  • Check and clear production lines after maintenance work is performed.
  • Track and report label & bag usage, cases produced and investigate discrepancies.
  • Use internal systems (e.g. AMAPS and SharePoint) to hold or release product, including scanning products using QR codes.
  • Perform scale and weight suitability checks, along with other product measurements, as outlined in approved standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions (WIs).
  • Document all work in accordance with government regulations and company procedures.
Required Qualifications Education & Experience:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • 4 years of technical Quality Control experience in food or dietary supplement industry, or commensurate combination of higher education and work experience.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Advanced understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
  • Strong leadership, training, troubleshooting, investigation, advising, organization, and decision-making abilities.
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and
    decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
  • Must have the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with internal staff and management.
  • Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple
    correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers,
    clients, and other employees of the organization.
  • Must be able to demonstrate practical problem solving and trouble shooting skills [Reasoning results from
  • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
  • Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Degree in food science, biology, chemistry, or related field.
  • Prior leadership experience.
Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally frequently required to talk and hear. This position is very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is loud (examples: metal can manufacturing department, large earth-moving equipment) and the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts. This position may occasionally be exposed to the following environmental conditions: wet or humid conditions (non-weather) and fume or airborne particles.

Safety Requirements

All employees are expected to carry out their functions in a healthy and safe manner, to always encourage and support safe work practices, and to report and/or rectify any unsafe conditions that may come to their attention immediately. All SCN BestCo employees must wear PPE as required based on their job duties.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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