Corporate Process Quality Manager

Tom Trese; Spring Grove (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tom Trese in Spring Grove, Illinois, is looking for a Corporate Process Quality Manager to enhance quality culture and problem-solving initiatives. This individual will work closely with teams to ensure sustainable process improvements across manufacturing.

The position demands strong leadership with a minimum of 7 years in quality management and expertise in Six Sigma and APQP. The successful candidate will manage internal and external quality audits and participate in the development of quality metrics.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of quality leadership experience with continuous improvement success.
• Six Sigma Black Belt with completed projects.
• Qualified Lead Auditor in quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives to enhance quality culture across the organization.
• Drive company-wide continuous improvement activities.
• Collaborate with teams to develop process controls.

Skills

Strategic orientation

Excellent listening

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Detail-oriented

Ability to work in teams

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Metallurgy

Certified Quality Engineer (ASQ)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Minitab

Job description

Position Summary:

The Corporate Process Quality Manager is accountable for leading a collaborative initiative to create and develop a best‑in‑class process control, quality culture, and problem‑solving culture, to provide technical direction for all manufacturing departments, and implement sustainable process improvements on the shop floor. This role focuses on helping integrate customer requirements (Nuclear, Military, Aerospace, NADCAP, AS9001) with the company’s manufacturing culture. This role is a key leader in supporting shop‑floor manufacturing operations through complex problem‑solving activities.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Assist the Director of Quality and Corporate Quality Assurance Manager to develop and implement a best‑in‑class quality culture.

Drive company‑wide continuous improvement activities with a strong emphasis on problem solving and process control. The role must use collaboration and teamwork to advance quality and continuous improvement efforts.

Support and enhance the company Corrective Action Request (CAR) System by building teams and establishing buy‑in for improvement activities.

Articulate the detail and importance of process control to all Employee Owners at all levels.

Be the visible leader in driving the quality culture; direct hands‑on engagement at all levels and stages of the implementation and execution. This action includes coordinating quality cultural expectations into organization development and training efforts.

Champion company‑wide quality improvement initiatives (based on measurable data when appropriate data is available) as well as actively lead high‑visibility quality problem‑solving events.

Build meaningful relationships with company Employee Owners to attain Best‑in‑Class performance.

Ensure a high level of engagement with sales leaders and production leaders.

Ensure appropriate technical support resources are available and utilized to support quality improvement initiatives including facilitation, statistical analysis, and 6‑sigma tools.

Assist the Corporate Quality Assurance Team with internal, external Supplier Quality Audits, and layered process audits.

Specific Process Ownership

• Non‑conformance control
• Deviation system
• Corrective Action Systems

Provide leadership activities in developing and maintaining company‑wide quality metrics including Daily Collaboration Meetings.

Organize appropriate resources to address real‑time in‑process quality problems that need resolution.

Provide engineering support to operations to ensure the consistent application of quality techniques are applied during the investigation and resolution of non‑conformances or process issues.

Participate in the development of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and control plans for key processes and customer projects.

Participate in the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities to determine appropriate use of existing and new measurement systems and tools during new product or process design and startup.

Collaborate with Sales, Process Engineering, and subject matter experts to determine critical part features and review manufacturability of design. Make recommendations to modify customer part specifications and tolerances as necessary to support cost‑effective production.

Assist the organization with the ability to acquire and analyze data using appropriate standard quantitative statistical methods across the spectrum of business environments to facilitate process improvements.

Works with bias for action in support of customers. Ensures complete and timely responses are provided to internal and external customers.

Initiates and actively supports continuous improvement activities and lean initiatives on the shop floor.

Maintains quality employee job results by coaching, counseling, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results for direct reports or interns as assigned.

Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Some overnight travel as necessary.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Metallurgy (or equivalent). Certified Quality Engineer (ASQ) preferred.

Minimum of 7 years quality leadership experience with hands‑on shop‑floor continuous improvement demonstrated success.

Six Sigma Black Belt with multiple projects completed. Qualified Lead Auditor in quality systems such as ISO 9001:2008 or AS9100. Experience in the metals industry and/or metallurgy knowledge preferred.

Required Skills:

• Strategic orientation coupled with practical hands‑on expertise, excellent listening, communication skills, be organized and detail oriented, ability to work both alone and within a team is essential.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite and have a working knowledge of Minitab.
• Technical skills include: APQP, FMEA, 8‑D structured problem solving, 6S and lean tools, value stream mapping (VSM), TPM, and root‑cause analysis, statistics, GD&T.

Competencies Required:

• Functional/Technical skills, Problem solving, Time management, Process management, Managing through systems, Managerial courage, Standing alone, Action oriented, Perseverance to drive for results, Organizational agility, Presentation skills, Approachability, Interpersonal savvy, Peer relationships, Understanding others, Motivating others, Building effective teams, Managing with vision and purpose, Listening, Making complex decisions, Communicating effectively, Managing diverse relationships, Acting with honor and character, Being open and receptive, Getting work done through others, Working both individually and in a team environment, Driving for results.