Product Quality Manager

Sterling Engineering; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking an experienced Product Quality Manager to lead customer quality investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective actions across a diverse portfolio of commercial-grade manufactured products. You will partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Product Development, and external suppliers to resolve issues and improve reliability.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical problem solver who can interpret engineering documentation, drive issues to

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years in product quality, quality engineering, supplier quality, or related fields.
• Experience managing customer complaints and driving corrective actions.
• Strong technical understanding of manufactured products, materials, specs, and quality requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and engineering documentation.
• Experience partnering with suppliers and manufacturing facilities to resolve quality issues.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex quality investigations.
• Strong organizational, project management, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional influence.
• Experience with RCA, CAPA, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline preferred.
• Experience with plastics, molded products preferred.
• Experience in regulated industries is a plus.
• Leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations of customer quality concerns from initial report to resolution.
• Determine root causes and develop corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Product Development, and suppliers.
• Review drawings, specs, materials to assess product issues.
• Manage complaints, document findings, track timelines, provide updates.
• Analyze quality data to identify recurring issues and drive improvements.
• Develop quality metrics and reporting processes.
• Work with suppliers and external partners to implement corrective actions.
• Support testing, inspection standards, and customer/industry requirements.
• Lead one direct report and travel up to 15%.

Skills

Quality engineering

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Supplier quality

Project management

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quality/Mechanical/Product Development

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Product Quality Manager to lead customer quality investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions across a diverse portfolio of commercial-grade manufactured products. This role will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Product Development, and external suppliers to resolve product concerns and improve overall quality and reliability. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on technical problem solver who can evaluate complex product issues, interpret engineering documentation, and drive issues through resolution while identifying opportunities to prevent recurrence.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer-reported product quality concerns, managing investigations from initial complaint through final resolution.
• Investigate product defects, failures, material concerns, and performance issues to determine root causes and develop effective corrective actions.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Product Development, and suppliers to implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Review technical drawings, product specifications, materials, and manufacturing requirements to evaluate product concerns and determine appropriate solutions.
• Manage customer complaints, document investigation findings, track resolution timelines, and provide clear updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Analyze quality data and trends to identify recurring issues and recommend improvements to product design, manufacturing processes, materials, and supplier performance.
• Develop and maintain quality metrics, complaint tracking systems, and reporting processes to monitor product performance and resolution effectiveness.
• Work directly with suppliers and external manufacturing partners to address quality deficiencies, establish corrective action plans, and verify corrective action effectiveness.
• Support product testing, inspection standards, quality requirements, and applicable customer or industry requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on product reliability, quality performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead and develop one direct report while remaining hands‑on with complex product quality investigations.
• Travel up to 15% as needed.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience in product quality, quality engineering, supplier quality, technical product support, or a related field within a manufactured product environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing customer complaints, conducting root cause analysis, and driving corrective actions through completion.
• Strong technical understanding of manufactured products, materials, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, engineering documentation, and product specifications.
• Experience partnering with suppliers and manufacturing facilities to resolve product quality issues.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex quality investigations from initial concern through verified resolution.
• Strong organizational, project management, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with customers and influence cross‑functional teams.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Experience with plastics, molded products, or other commercial‑grade manufactured products preferred.
• Experience supporting products within foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, or other regulated industries is a plus.
• Previous experience leading or managing employees preferred.

Location

Open to candidates based in Oklahoma City, Chicago, or Lodi, NJ.