External Manufacturing Quality Manager

Tru Fru
vision insurance, paid time off, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Oct 09, 2025
Who are we? Established in 2017, tru fru rapidly ascended the "permissible indulgence" space as a Utah-based company selling one-of-a-kind "better for you" Hyper-Chilled and Hyper-Dried real fruit immersed in premium chocolate to retail outlets nationwide. Winning Most Innovative New Product in 2019 and 2022 in the sweets and snacks categories and climbing the fruit-based snack industry chart at an astounding growth rate, tru fru joined the Mars family of brands in February 2023. We are on a mission to build a legacy with truly remarkable people who can create something special for generations to come! As the External Manufacturing Quality Manager, you play a critical role in ensuring exceptional product quality and customer experience by collaborating with corporate teams, manufacturing sites, 3PL providers, and customers. In this role, you will establish, implement, and continuously improve Quality and Food Safety Systems. You will work closely with your team, making a significant impact on strengthening the tru fru Quality & Food Safety System and elevating tru fru products. *This is a field position located in the Chicago, Illinois area.* What you'll do Establish and implement the tru fru Food Safety and Quality policies and requirements for co-manufacturers as well as continually monitoring their performance to ensure compliance for business unit Partner with teammates to lead best practices sharing and benchmarking activities with assigned across the co-manufacturing network. Collaborate with co-manufacturers to drive consumer and client complaint reductions. Develop, implement, and enforce internal tru fru specific Quality and Food Safety policies, protocols and SOP's. Enforce compliance to product and process specifications at co-manufacturers. Support the commercialization of new product innovations Oversee continuous improvement of product quality and plant quality systems through corrective and preventive action programs. Conduct assessments and audits of co-manufacturers to measure compliance to tru fru Quality and Food Safety Programs Coordinate and lead incident management and investigations for assigned co-manufacturers. What you'll bring to tru fru - You are... Passionate about Quality and Food Safety. Able to work collaboratively across multi-functional teams, often remotely, especially with Operations, manufacturing sites and R&D. Curious with a constant desire to learn. A collaborator and team builder. Organized, analytical and able to manage multiple work streams in fast-paced, high-energy environment. You have... Bachelor's degree required in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or related subjects. 7+ years of proven experience in CPG preferably in roles in Plant Quality, Production, Continuous Improvement, Quality Systems and Auditing. Experience with working in a corporate environment as well as manufacturing and distribution location environments. Excellent communication and negations skills. Pluses Substantive experience and/or knowledge in food safety, food science, and microbiology within CPG industry. What tru fru offers - Competitive salary, including a target bonus and an impressive benefits package! Flexible Paid Time Off Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you and your family's needs. Long-term disability and short-term disability insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 401K retirement saving opportunity. Casual office dress code A dynamic, ambitious, indulgently fun work environment! EEO At tru fru, we are committed to an inclusive workplace where diversity in all its forms is championed. tru fru is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we are an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you require special accommodation, please let us know. Privacy Policy Mars and its family of brands is committed to transparency and responsibility in how we handle the personal data entrusted to us by our customers and consumers. To learn more about our privacy policy please followthis link.