Quality Control Lead

About Ingredion: 

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create. 

TITLE: Quality Control Lead

LOCATION: Bedford Park, IL

REPORTS TO:  QC Manager

Relocation Available? Within Country may be considered

Job Grade: F

As the QC Lead, you will be responsible for the Dry Starch, Wet Starch, and Corn Unloading laboratories and personnel (7 direct reports). This position will coordinate and support the accurate and timely testing of starch products to provide an exceptional experience to internal and external customers for data and information on process and product quality.  Assist Quality Control Manager with technical duties to achieve departmental goals. 

What you will do:

• Follow and ensure all safety and quality guidelines according to Good Laboratory Practices and lab safety requirements. 

• Maintaining accurate laboratory records for compliance with retention and data recording procedures. 

• Supporting the production team with root cause analysis and corrective action in case of a non-conforming product.

• Assessing the current demands on laboratory services, prioritizing testing based on business needs, and departmental goals.

• Working with Analysts and Operations to schedule weekly laboratory support.

• Maintaining calibration records and standards traceable to NIST, where applicable.

• Preparing and standardizing chemical reagents when necessary.

• Ensuring necessary laboratory supplies and equipment are available to maintain testing readiness.

• Overseeing and administering the laboratory proficiency testing program by dispensing appropriate test samples. 

• Maintaining and monitoring the CRA check sample program.

• Maintain and review records to generate Monthly First Pass Compliance reports.

• Seeking and implementing processes to continuously improve and optimize laboratory operations and efficiencies.

• Reviewing and developing laboratory SOPs to stay current in line with laboratory practice, customer needs

• Training laboratory Analysts on current GMPs, GLPs, ISO, and standard test methods and procedures.  Maintaining training records.

• Assist in the maintenance of equipment, including routine maintenance and resolution of common or simple problems with instruments.

• Perform other work as assigned by laboratory management.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related physical science background.

• Possess good working knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

• Supervisory experience and history developing lab analysts is a plus.

• Experience with analytical chemistry.

• Experience working with equipment for the determination of physical properties of materials, including: Viscosity, Moisture content, and Particle Size Analysis.

• Experience using titrimetric methods to determine levels of chemical species in raw materials and finished products

• Familiarity with rapid and quantitative determination of toxins in raw materials and finished products.

• Flexibility is required for support out of hours in line with business needs

Who you are:

• Lean Six Sigma Belt Certified, a plus.

• Proficiency with applicable computer software

• Ability to rapidly learn new skills and expand expertise into other areas of science.

• Ability to work in a diverse team environment.

• Demonstrate leadership skills, manage and prioritize multiple tasks. Strong oral, written, and computer skills.

Why Join Ingredion?   

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy: 

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success 

• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being 

• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement 

• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Relocation Available:

Pay Range:

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.