Quality & Continuous Improvement Technician

Thinkahead; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid company holidays

Paid time off

Parental and caregiver leave

Job summary

Thinkahead is seeking a Quality & Continuous Improvement Technician for an on-site role in Libertyville, IL. The technician will act as a hands-on quality resource, identify defects, and partner with operations to implement process improvements and standardized procedures across facilities.

The role requires the ability to observe, analyze data, and communicate findings clearly. Experience with ERP/WMS systems and a basic proficiency in Microsoft Office is expected, with a focus on maintaining

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1–3 years in a warehouse, manufacturing, or technology integration environment with exposure to quality or process improvement activities.
• Associate’s degree in a technical or related field is preferred and ISO 9001 familiarity is noted.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management principles and documentation practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily floor observations to identify quality escapes, deviations, and defects.
• Serve as first-responder for quality issues impacting product flow and resolve problems quickly.
• Document non-conformances, root causes, and corrective actions in ERP/WMS system.
• Collaborate with supervisors and technicians to implement process improvements and SOPs.
• Identify training gaps and update SOPs and work instructions.
• Gather and review quality metrics and present findings to the Quality Manager.
• Support internal QMS audits and assist with external assessments.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in technical field (preferred)

Tools

ERP/WMS software

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.

We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD.

The Quality & Continuous Improvement Technician is an on‑site, floor‑level role within the Quality Management System (QMS) team, reporting to the Quality Manager. This individual serves as a daily quality resource, identifying defects, resolving product and order issues in real time, observing workflow gaps, and partnering with operations and training teams to implement lasting process improvements. Embedded in day‑to‑day operations across our integration facilities, this technician plays a hands‑on role in maintaining quality standards and driving continuous improvement at the process level.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily floor observations across operations to identify quality escapes, process deviations, and recurring defects.
• Serve as a first‑responder for quality issues impacting product flow or order completion, working to resolve problems quickly and minimize downstream impact.
• Document non‑conformances, root causes, and corrective actions in the company’s internal ERP/WMS system.
• Collaborate with supervisors, leads, and technicians to implement process improvements and standardize operating procedures.
• Identify training gaps and partner with the training team to develop or update work instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Work with departments to gather and review quality metrics (defect rates, error types, rework frequency) to identify what improvements need to be made, sharing findings and recommendations with the quality team.
• Track and trend quality metrics (defect rates, error types, rework frequency) and present findings to the Quality Manager.
• Support internal QMS audits and assist with preparation for external quality assessments.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem‑solving approaches (e.g., root cause analysis, 5‑Why, PDCA).
• Work cross‑functionally with Quality Engineers to support data collection, inspection activities, and project‑level improvement efforts.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum Required – High school diploma or GED; 1–3 years of experience in a warehouse, manufacturing, or technology integration environment with exposure to quality or process improvement activities.
• Preferred – Associate’s degree in a technical or related field; experience working within an ISO 9001‑certified quality management system; familiarity with Lean or continuous improvement concepts.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management principles and documentation practices.
• Experience using ERP or WMS software for logging, tracking, and reporting; comfortable learning and navigating internally developed systems.
• Ability to read and interpret work instructions, SOPs, order documentation, and assembly drawings or test procedures as applicable.
• Strong observational and analytical skills, able to identify patterns in defects or process gaps and communicate findings clearly.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to collaborate across operations, quality, and training teams.
• Detail‑oriented with a proactive mindset, identifies and escalates issues before they impact product or customer delivery.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, on‑site environment with shifting priorities.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) for documentation and reporting.

Physical and On‑Site Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods on the facility floor.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 lbs.
• May require use of hands for fine manipulation of components or assemblies.
• This is a fully on‑site role; daily presence in the facility is required.

The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On‑Target Earnings ("OTE") for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid company holidays
• Paid time off
• Paid parental and caregiver leave
• Plus more! See benefits for additional details.