The best products at the lowest possible prices? That’s no small task. And to do it right we need a strong, dedicated Quality Assurance team. On it, you’ll make sure everything we do is on point, from products to packaging to infrastructure. Our guarantee is more important than ever, and that means you have a big opportunity to make a difference.

In this role the QA Specialist - Project Management will work with the Quality Assurance Department to manage cross-functional projects across multiple functions within the ALDI business. The ideal candidate will have certification or training in Lean or Six Sigma. The objective of this role is to manage the Project Management Office and continuous improvement efforts within the Quality Assurance Department.

Position Type: Full-Time
Work Location: Aurora, IL
This role is eligible to participate in ALDI’s Hybrid Work Program, which allows remote work up to 2 days per week (i.e., work remotely up to 2 days per week; work in-office at least 3 days per week).

Duties and Responsibilities:
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Develops the framework for Project Management Office by establishing and maintaining standards and governance for project management within the Quality Assurance Department.
• Manages and supports projects from inception and conception to their implementation, documents deadlines, engages with project team to drive projects through completion, and prepares status reports to inform the project team and their leader.
• Informs their direct leader of technical, legislative, and quality matters in their area of responsibility. 
• Supports their direct leader in training employees on Quality Assurance programs, procedures, and related areas of expertise.
• Recommends process improvements for area of responsibility.
• Conducts technical/quality investigations, creates and analyzes reports, reviews trends, and makes recommendations pertaining to products, suppliers, and operations.
• Supports their direct leader in the development and implementation of improved quality systems and reporting measures.
• Compiles data from disparate data sources, creating and maintaining data models in order to identify and explain quality trends.
• Carries out quarterly product and supplier scorecard reviews leveraging data aggregation and analytics.
• Requests and manages corrective action reports because of audit non-conformity, testing, non-compliance, customer complaints, or regulatory inspections.
• Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
• Upholds the security and confidentiality of documents and data within area of responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job-specific Competencies:
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Consistently demonstrates the Mindsets, ALDI Acts Competencies and Professional Skills (M.A.P.) as outlined for the role.
• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective time management; maximizes productivity.
• Prepares written materials to meet purpose and audience.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
• Strategic and critical thinker with high emphasis in accuracy and urgency.
• A self-starter with the ability to prioritize duties among multiple and concurrent projects.
• Ability to facilitate group involvement when conducting meetings

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Project Management, Food Science, Engineering, Physics, Microbiology, Chemistry, Data Science/Analytics, or a related field required.
• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in Continuous Improvement, Project Management/Project Management Office, Food Safety, Quality, Manufacturing, Product Safety, and/or Data Analytics required.
• Or, a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Quality Management Systems, and/or Logistics (preferred).
• Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management Profession certification (preferred).

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in an office environment where a computer, telephone and other office equipment are used as needed to perform duties.
• Regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, stand and move from one area to another.
• Constantly and repeatedly, use keyboard/mouse.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 25 lbs.

Travel:

• Domestic travel required.
• Up to 10%.