Quality Operations Lead

The Quality Operations Lead oversees production lines during filling and cartoning operations to ensure that every product meets internal quality standards, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements. This floor-based quality assurance role supports manufacturing by auditing production and packaging lines, reviewing batch records and GMP documentation, investigating deviations and out-of-specification issues, and partnering closely with production teams to resolve quality issues and improve compliance. The position plays a key role in maintaining and enhancing quality systems, promoting a strong culture of quality, and supporting continuous improvement in a fast-paced, diverse manufacturing environment.

• Oversee production lines during filling and cartoning operations to ensure products consistently meet quality, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain and improve quality systems to support efficient, high-quality manufacturing processes.
• Perform in-process audits of manufacturing lines and verify quality throughout the filling and packaging processes.
• Audit production and packaging lines on the manufacturing floor to ensure adherence to GMP and internal standards.
• Review batch records and GMP documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance prior to product release.
• Complete all line paperwork accurately and in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with current standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and test procedures across assigned production areas.
• Promote a strong culture of quality and increase quality awareness among production personnel.
• Document and investigate deviations, non-conformances, and out-of-specification (OOS) situations in a timely and thorough manner.
• Ensure quality events, including deviations, non-conformances, and potential issues, are properly documented, investigated, and escalated when necessary.
• Verify that cleaning and sanitization procedures are completed correctly and documented appropriately.
• Conduct quality inspections and visual checks on products, components, and packaging as required.
• Support and champion practices and processes that eliminate waste and improve efficiency throughout the department.
• Utilize quality and continuous improvement tools to implement and sustain process improvements.
• Support and uphold 5S principles, including Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, within the production and quality areas.
• Coach and guide production employees on quality expectations, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Collaborate directly with manufacturing teams to resolve quality issues, improve compliance, and ensure products meet specifications before release.
• Assist with internal audits and other quality assurance activities to ensure ongoing compliance with GMP and company standards.
• Adapt to cyclical workloads, tight deadlines, and changing production and customer requirements while maintaining high quality standards.
• Perform other quality-related duties as assigned to support the needs of the department and the business.

• 2+ years of experience in a GMP manufacturing environment preferred, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetics, personal care, food, or medical device.
• Experience in a floor-based quality assurance role supporting manufacturing operations.
• Hands-on experience with GMP practices and documentation.
• Proficiency in batch record review and GMP documentation review.
• Experience performing in-process audits, internal audits, and quality inspections on production and packaging lines.
• Knowledge of quality procedures, SOPs, work instructions, and test procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate deviations, non-conformances, and out-of-specification (OOS) issues.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in completing line paperwork and quality documentation.
• Ability to multitask and stay organized in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to coach and influence production employees.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow written procedures and specifications in English.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic math skills.
• Ability to stand and walk continuously (6 or more hours per day) in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to perform continuous talking, teaching, and repetitive hand/wrist motions (6 or more hours per day).
• Good eyesight and normal hearing sufficient to perform visual inspections and communicate effectively in the work environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, tight deadlines, and cyclical workloads while maintaining quality standards.

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related science preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in industries such as beauty, bath and body, lip balms, skincare, sunscreens, or cleaning detergents is beneficial.
• Familiarity with quality inspection, quality checks, and visual inspection techniques in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience supporting 5S initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
• Ability to effectively promote a culture of quality and drive quality awareness on the production floor.
• Comfort working with tight deadlines and cyclical production demands.
• Ability to respond positively to workflow interruptions and frequent starting and stopping based on production and customer requirements.
• Interest in career growth, with potential to advance into roles such as QA Analyst or QA Specialist after 23 years of strong performance.

This role is based at a manufacturing facility in Eden Prairie and is primarily performed indoors on the production floor. There are two openings, with one on 2nd shift (2:00 pm 10:00 pm, Monday through Friday) and one on 3rd shift (10:00 pm 6:00 am, Sunday through Thursday). Weekend overtime may be required, and candidates should be comfortable with fluctuating hours based on business and customer needs, including up to approximately 515 hours of overtime depending on workload. Training will take place on 1st shift before transitioning to the assigned shift. The environment is fast-paced and cyclical, with moderate to high demands for meeting tight deadlines and adapting to changing customer requirements. The position requires continuous standing and walking, frequent talking and teaching, and repetitive hand and wrist movements throughout the shift. The facility is generally indoors and may involve exposure to various fragrances, sometimes at elevated levels. Employees need to be able to use stairways, respond and adapt to changes in the work environment, and handle moderate to high levels of physical activity. The company offers a diverse manufacturing environment with exposure to a wide range of products, including beauty, bath and body, lip balms, skincare, sunscreens, and cleaning detergents. Paid time off, personal days, and holidays are available and support work-life balance. The organization is experiencing strong, sustained growth with significant year-over-year expansion and offers opportunities for professional development and advancement in quality roles.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chaska, MN.

The pay range for this position is $26.50 - $32.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chaska, MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 24, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Chaska,MN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.