Quality Assurance Leader, Corporate Systems & Compliance

First Search Inc.; Spring Grove (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

First Search Inc. is seeking a Corporate Systems Quality Assurance Manager to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of company-wide quality management systems across manufacturing operations.

You will oversee customer quality requirements, auditing, supplier quality, and corrective action programs while driving structured problem-solving and quality metrics. The role requires 7+ years of quality leadership in manufacturing, CQE or Six Sigma Black Belt, and hands-on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, or related technical discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of quality assurance leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Lead Auditor experience within ISO, AS9100, nuclear, military, aerospace, or other highly regulated quality systems preferred.
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and/or Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems, auditing, corrective actions, supplier quality, root cause analysis, FMEA, Control Plans, APQP, Lean methodologies, TPM, statistics, and GD&T.
• Experience within metals manufacturing, forging, machining, aerospace, defense, nuclear, or highly regulated industrial environments strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, training, and team development capabilities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and quality analytics/reporting tools such as Minitab.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support company-wide quality management system initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Serve as management representative for quality systems and coordinate activities with registrars, governing bodies, customers, and regulatory agencies.
• Drive the use of core quality tools and structured problem-solving methodologies throughout the organization.
• Direct quality-related functions including inspection, regulatory compliance, supplier quality, auditing programs, customer contract compliance, and shop floor quality systems.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, internal quality policies, regulatory standards, and industry certifications.
• Establish and oversee supplier quality programs, internal auditing systems, inspection procedures, and corrective action processes.
• Facilitate and oversee internal audits related to ISO, AS, nuclear, and other high-specification quality systems.
• Lead audit planning, auditor training, audit follow-up activities, and corrective action verification processes.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Engineering, Sales, and Operations teams to ensure quality expectations are achieved.
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality metrics aligned with operational and customer performance objectives.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, and structured problem-solving initiatives tied to quality and operational issues.
• Support customer communication regarding specifications, process capabilities, audits, quality concerns, and compliance requirements.
• Assist in the development and communication of quality procedures, systems, technical standards, and training programs.
• Support second- and third-party audits and customer witness activities.
• Participate in Lean, 6S, TPM, and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.
• Support safety initiatives and maintain active involvement in company safety programs.

Skills

Quality management

Auditing

Root cause analysis

Lean methodologies

Leadership

Communication

FMEA

GD&T

Minitab

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

Minitab

Job description

First Search Inc. is seeking a Corporate Systems Quality Assurance Manager to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of company-wide quality management systems across manufacturing operations.

You will oversee customer quality requirements, auditing, supplier quality, and corrective action programs while driving structured problem-solving and quality metrics. The role requires 7+ years of quality leadership in manufacturing, CQE or Six Sigma Black Belt, and hands-on