Quality Assurance Manager

Leslie's, Inc.; Illinois; On-site; USD 102,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health savings account (HDHP enroll)

Health & dependent care flexible spend

Company-paid basic life and AD&D

Voluntary supplemental life insurance

Company-paid short-term disability

Voluntary long-term disability

Pre-tax and Roth 401(k) with company  

Paid vacation, sick, and bereavement

Paid holidays, floating personal day

Employee assistance and wellness

Earned Wage access

Job summary

Leslie's, Inc. is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the QA department at our Stellar manufacturing center, ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement, ISO 9000 alignment, supplier quality oversight, and a strong customer-focused culture. You will drive standardized quality processes and collaborate across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and leadership.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of oxidizers chemistry and acid-base reactions.
• Proficient in statistical and quantitative analysis.
• Experience with document control systems.
• Experience implementing quality systems and processes.
• Direct experience dealing with customers and issues.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar systems.
• Minimum 5+ years QA in chemical/pharma/food manufacturing.
• Minimum 2+ years supervisory experience in QA laboratory.
• B.S. in Chemistry; M.S. preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and culture: develop a quality strategy across Stellar manufacturing.
• Oversee QMS development and continuous improvement, aligned with ISO 9000.
• Create and maintain standardized processes, SOPs, calibration, non-conforming material management.
• Manage supplier quality performance and metrics across the supply chain.
• Serve as QA interface for customer service, sales, suppliers, and customers.
• Collaborate with managers to implement continuous improvement across functions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Statistical analysis

Communication skills

Customer focus

ISO 9000 knowledge

Excel proficiency

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

SAP familiarity

Education

B.S. in Chemistry

M.S. in Chemistry

Tools

SAP

Job description

In September 2022, Stellar Manufacturing was acquired by Leslie's as an affiliate. Stellar Manufacturing is a contract manufacturer of solid particle products and specializes in chemical processing services such as specialty tableting, compaction granulation, and granular filling. We support the manufacturing of a variety of consumer and industrial products including water treatment chemicals, janitorial and sanitation products, agrochemicals, raw materials, and more. With over 30 years of providing best-in-class products and solutions to our customers, thereis nothing that we value more than the development and growth of our team. Both Leslie's and Stellar strive to create a positive and fun atmosphere where our Team Members feel valued and are enthusiastic about the contributions they make to the success of Stellar.

Job Overview

The Quality Assurance Manager leads and coordinates all activities within the Quality Assurance department, ensuring consistent product quality, regulatory compliance, and a strong culture of continuous improvement across the manufacturing center.

Compensation Range: $102,000 - $153,000

Compensation within range to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge and skills, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Culture — Develop and integrate a comprehensive quality strategy that embeds quality into the core of Stellar manufacturing culture. Drive programmatic, observational, and behavioral initiatives through cross‑functional collaboration.
• Quality Management System — Oversee the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS). Ensure alignment with company needs while maintaining familiarity with ISO 9000 and other quality models. Manage the end‑to‑end test environment, including instrumentation, tools, methods, and processes.
• Process Management & Standardization — Create, implement, and maintain standardized processes and procedures across all product and process areas, including SOPs, calibration, non‑conforming material management, corrective action, and functional process control. Collaborate closely with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, customer service, and leadership.
• Supplier Quality — Manage supplier quality performance through receiving inspection, non‑conforming material tracking, corrective action, and quality metrics. Partner with supply chain and customer stakeholders to ensure consistent application of best practices. Develop and maintain supplier quality systems and tools.
• Customer Affairs — Serve as a key quality interface for customer service, sales, suppliers, and customers. Lead customer complaint analysis, problem‑solving activities, and corrective action implementation. Establish and share quality metrics that support behavioral and compliance goals across the enterprise.
• Internal Coordination — Work collaboratively with managers, supervisors, and associates to identify critical success factors, develop measurement systems, and implement continuous improvement methodologies.
• Additional Responsibilities — Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises employees within the Quality Assurance department
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge of the chemistry of oxidizers and acid‑base reactions
• Proficient with statistical and quantitative analysis
• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Experience with document control systems
• Experience implementing systems and processes within an organization
• Direct experience dealing with customers and customer issues
• Familiarity with SAP and similar systems a plus
• Basic competence in subordinates’ duties and tasks
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm
• B.S. in Chemistry required, M.S. in Chemistry a plus
• Minimum 5+ years of Quality Assurance experience in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food manufacturing, or a related industry.
• Minimum 2+ years of supervisory experience in a QA laboratory setting.

Benefits

• Health savings account (with enrollment in the high deductible health plan option).
• Health & dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Company‑paid basic life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary supplemental life insurance.
• Company‑paid short‑term disability and voluntary long‑term disability insurance.
• Pre‑tax and Roth 401(k) with company match.
• Paid vacation, sick, and bereavement leave.
• Paid holidays, including a floating personal day.
• Employee assistance and wellness programs.
• Earned Wage access is available, allowing early access to a portion of your earned wages before payday.

Leslie’s recognizes a critical component to our continued success is our people. Leslie’s is proud to have a culture of inclusion that seeks to celebrate and embrace the different backgrounds and perspectives that help drive our success and support team members in developing and growing with us. We aim to create a workplace where all team members feel welcomed and valued and inspire each other every day.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.