Quality Manager

Homewerks Worldwide, LLC, a leading import distributor of home improvement products for major retailers is seeking a Quality Manager to join our Sourcing Team. Homewerks Worldwide develops, sources, and markets bathroom, kitchen, and plumbing products for home and commercial use. Since its formation in 2006, Homewerks has shown consistent sales growth fueled by a proven track record of bringing innovative, efficient, and high-quality product solutions to homes. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing organization. Our corporate office is located in Lake Bluff, IL and we have distribution centers in both Lake Bluff and Libertyville, IL.

Position Summary

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and continuously improving the overall quality function to ensure products meet established standards for quality, reliability, regulatory/customer requirements, and customer satisfaction. This role owns key elements of the Quality Management Process, drives effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), partners cross-functionally with sourcing, operations, and customer service, and uses quality metrics to identify trends, reduce risk, and improve supplier and product performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Analytics: Examine product return rates and online customer reviews to identify patterns and emerging issues, even when working with complex or unstructured data sets.

• Failure Analysis: Investigate returned samples to replicate customer issues, determine root causes, and recommend solutions that enhance product reliability and customer satisfaction.

• Customer Advocacy: Approach quality challenges from the customer’s perspective, ensuring their pain points are understood and addressed effectively.

• Asia Quality Team: Work directly with Homewerks Quality Team in Asia on customer related quality issues to help develop root cause analysis and permanent corrective actions.

• Product Testing: Occasionally responsible for testing products in house for form, fit, and function.

• Customer Contact: Responsible for joining bi-weekly customer calls and reporting on quality issues, improvements, and actions.

• Communication: Translate technical findings into customer-friendly language. Collaborate with external partners (The Home Depot, Lowes, & Menards, Walmart) systems & engineers, and maintain clear, concise updates for internal and external stakeholders.

• Quality Management System (QMS): Own and continuously improve the QMS (e.g., ISO 9001), including document control, internal audits, management reviews, and corrective action effectiveness.

• Team Leadership: Lead Homewerks Quality tasks in the USA and ensure consistent execution of quality processes with the help of the Homewerks Asia Quality team.

• Supplier Quality Management: Establish supplier quality requirements and drive supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement to reduce defects and improve on-time quality performance.

• CAPA & Risk Management: Oversee corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes, ensure timely containment/root cause/countermeasures, and implement risk-based approaches (e.g., PFMEA/Control Plans) across product lifecycle.

• KPIs & Reporting: Define and monitor quality KPIs (e.g., customer complaints, returns, supplier PPM, audit findings), and present actionable insights and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Cross-Functional Quality Planning: Partner with sourcing, engineering, operations, and customer service to set quality objectives, approve changes, and ensure quality readiness for new product introductions and supplier transitions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality Management or related field (or equivalent experience).

• Strong analytical skills, with experience in data mining and trend identification.

• Hands-on experience with failure analysis and root cause investigation.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, change management, and cost analysis.

• Background in developing and executing product testing protocols.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.

• Ability to attend meetings with international vendors outside standard business hours.

• Experience collaborating with external partners and cross-functional teams is a plus.

Additional Information

• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team.

• Attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset.

• Comfortable working in fast-paced manufacturing environments.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401k Safe Harbor Plan with 3% Company contribution
• Generous PTO plans
• 10 paid company holidays per a calendar year
• Annual paid volunteer day for non-profit or charity of your choice
• Company provided life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability coverage.
• Off-site events to encourage team building
• Company performance based bonus plan

Physical Demands

This position may require standing or sitting for extended periods, walking through manufacturing facilities, and occasionally lifting materials up to 25 lbs. Use of standard office equipment and occasional international travel to suppliers or factory sites may also be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary Range: $90K-$125K