First Shift Quality Assurance Manager

Dober; Woodridge (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

PTO

Parental leave

Volunteer time off

Calm app membership

Wellness program

Job summary

Dober in Woodridge, IL is seeking a Quality Manager to lead a data-driven quality culture, strengthen ISO compliance, and drive built-in quality across processes. You will champion standardized work, SPC, audits, supplier quality, and corrective actions to deliver continuous improvement and operational excellence.

The role collaborates with cross-functional teams to embed quality at every stage, ensuring traceability, documentation integrity, and real-time data visibility.

Qualifications

• Expertise in Statistical Process Control and data-driven quality improvement.
• Experience leading internal and external audits in regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality systems development.
• Background in chemical disciplines with exposure to FDA-regulated industries.
• Proven ability to drive corrective and preventive actions with measurable impact.
• Experience with test method development and process validation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the ISO-compliant Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure audit readiness across functions.
• Lead internal and supplier audits, documenting closures and verifying effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Drive built-in quality through SPC, critical control points, inline verification, and process validation.
• Perform root-cause analyses, implement corrective actions, and monitor effectiveness with trend analyses.
• Collaborate across Supply Chain and Operations to prevent defects at the source and improve supplier performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, cycle times, and defects while enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Support customer audits and quality agreements with timely documentation and metrics.
• Promote a culture of ownership, training, and proactive error prevention.

Skills

SPC & data analysis

Root cause analysis

Audit leadership

Process validation

Lean principles

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality management systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biology

Job description

Since 1957, Dober Chemical has grown through innovation, strong partnerships, and a culture of Mutual Trust and Respect. We empower employees to make a difference, reward fresh ideas, and support both professional and personal growth.

Our Core Values foster a collaborative, people-first environment where your work truly matters. Join us and help shape the future with a company built on trust, creativity, and purpose.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid time off (PTO), paid parental leave, volunteer time off, and the Calm app membership. Our expanding wellness program supports your overall health and work-life balance.

About the Job

Position Summary

The Quality Manager drives a proactive, data-driven quality culture by designing quality into processes - not inspecting it in after the fact. This role strengthens ISO compliance while advancing quality systems and built-in process controls, supplier integrity, and continuous improvement.

The Quality Manager partners cross-functionally to ensure operational excellence through standardized work, statistical process control, structured audits, supplier quality management, and disciplined corrective action. This role champions accountability, real-time data visibility, and zero-error process design.

1. Quality Management System & Compliance

• Maintain and improve the ISO-compliant Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead internal audits and customer audits; ensure timely closure and effectiveness verification of corrective actions.
• Understand minimum customer requirements in FDA regulated industries and ensure the QMS is built to bridge rigorous quality standards.
• Ensure documentation integrity, change control compliance, and standardized work across critical processes.
• Operate as an internal escalation point, providing guidance to other members of the Quality team.

2. Built-In Quality & Process Excellence

• Integrate quality at every stage using SPC, critical control points, in-line verification, and process validation techniques.
• Design and validate test methods (Gage R&R, correlation, progression studies).
• Analyze historical performance data to drive proactive specification improvements and reduce variability.
• Support mistake-proofing, digital verification, and structured process controls to prevent defects before they occur.

3. Data-Driven Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause investigations for internal failures and customer issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions with effectiveness monitoring.
• Build trend analysis, predictive insights, and performance dashboards to proactively identify risk.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives that reduce waste, variation, and cycle time while improving customer satisfaction.
• Support cross-functional Kaizen and process optimization initiatives.
• Conduct supplier audits (paper and on-site) and manage supplier performance metrics.
• Ensure raw material verification, traceability, and supplier qualification standards.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to prevent defects at the source.

5. Customer & Audit Readiness

• Support customer audits, quality agreements, and documentation requests.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and performance metrics at all times.
• Ensure quality standards meet or exceed customer expectations.

6. Culture, Leadership & Accountability

• Champion a culture of ownership where quality is embedded in every role.
• Support training on quality systems, statistical tools, and standardized processes.
• Promote stop-work authority, proactive error prevention, and open reporting.
• Operate with structured project management discipline and data-backed decision making.

Success Profile (What “Great” Looks Like)

• Audit-ready at all times with zero major findings.
• Reduction in internal failures and customer complaints year-over-year.
• Strong supplier performance and measurable reduction in incoming defects.
• Quality metrics visible, understood, and owned by operations teams.
• Continuous improvement initiatives completed on time with measurable impact.

Required Experience

• Statistical Process Control (SPC) & data analysis
• Root Cause Analysis (5-Why, Fishbone, etc.)
• ISO 9001
• Chemical experience/background
• Audit leadership (internal & external)
• Process validation & test method development
• Lean principles & waste elimination
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biology

This position requires 25% Travel domestically and internationally

Base Salary compensation to increase based upon applicable years of experience and leadership capabilities