Quality Manager

Position: Quality Manager

Position Type: Direct Hire

Location: Chicago, IL

Compensation: $119,000 – $135,000 base salary + 12% bonus potential

Shift: 1st Shift

Position Summary:

Seeking a hands-on and collaborative Quality Manager to lead quality operations at a Chicago, IL Value-Add Assembly (VAA) automotive manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for leading the Quality Department, driving continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring customer quality requirements are met, and developing a strong quality-focused culture across the facility.

The ideal candidate is an experienced automotive quality leader with a strong background in Tier 1 manufacturing, JIT operations, problem-solving, and quality systems. This individual will work closely with cross-functional teams, support plant performance goals, and build strong relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.

This position is based on-site at the Chicago, IL facility and reports directly to the Plant Manager with a dotted-line relationship to the Director of Quality.

Position Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and manage the Quality Department team. Develop and implement individual development plans to enhance team capabilities. Monitor departmental performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Corrective Actions & Customer Satisfaction: Oversee the execution of all corrective actions. Track and improve customer satisfaction metrics (e.g., PPMs, PRRs, NCTs, QRs). Ensure timely and effective resolution of quality issues.
• Core Tools & Documentation: Ensure timely updates to Core Tools (Control Plans, PFMEAs, etc.), especially following corrective actions. Maintain accurate and organized documentation in alignment with internal, customer, and AIAG requirements.
• Problem Solving & Reporting: Provide cross-functional leadership in internal problem-solving activities. Implement and maintain data-driven systems for product and process reporting. Promote a culture of continuous improvement through root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Product & Process Quality: Ensure all product specifications are met regarding fit, finish, durability, and appearance. Monitor and report performance on key product and process characteristics (KPCs). Drive improvement plans for underperforming areas.
• Compliance & Certification: Maintain internal and customer databases to ensure accuracy and compliance. Ensure proper use and maintenance of Compulsory Certification Marks for finished, nonconforming, and changed products. Notify certification bodies of any product changes affecting certification status.
• Customer & Supplier Relations: Serve as the primary plant-level contact for customer quality concerns. Oversee supplier quality performance, including conducting audits and site visits as necessary. Lead supplier quality assurance efforts and manage incoming quality inspection activities to ensure compliance with standards.
• Operational Support: Support initiatives to reduce scrap, downtime, and improve efficiency and First Time Quality (FTQ). Document all quality-related activities as required.
• Safety & Other Duties: Adhere to company emergency evacuation procedures to ensure employee safety. Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by management.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, engineering, quality, or a related field required.
• Minimum 7–10 years of automotive quality experience, with at least 5 years of Quality Manager-level leadership experience in a Tier 1 manufacturing environment.
• Must have experience working within a Value-Add Assembly (VAA) manufacturing environment; general automotive or warehouse experience alone will not be considered.
• Strong understanding of JIT manufacturing and automotive customer requirements.
• Previous experience working with automotive OEM customers is preferred, preferably with Ford
• Previous experience in a unionized manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to be hands-on, work directly with plant teams, and build strong relationships across the organization.
• ASQ CQE certification required.
• Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt preferred.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 requirements.
• Experience with Ford Q1 standards preferred.
• Strong knowledge of AIAG Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC.
• Experience with 8D problem-solving methodology.
• Experience with Minitab or similar quality analysis tools preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify issues, develop solutions, and drive corrective actions.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with employees at all levels, including executive leadership.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing quality systems.