Quality Manager

RC Talent; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

RC Talent is seeking a Quality Manager to lead manufacturing quality improvements across multiple production facilities in the Chicago area. The role focuses on reducing defects, minimizing rework, and establishing consistent quality standards throughout the process.

You will own the QMS, drive proactive controls, and work with production, engineering, purchasing, and customer teams to identify root causes and implement lasting improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related technical/STEM discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or quality management within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and corrective actions that yield measurable improvements.
• Experience developing or improving in-process quality controls and inspection procedures.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001/14001 and internal audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality operations and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple production facilities.
• Identify recurring defects, inefficiencies, and rework, and implement corrective actions to improve first-pass quality.
• Establish proactive in-process quality controls and inspection procedures.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing, and Field teams to align quality with product specs and customer needs.
• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure ISO compliance.
• Lead root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys) and CAPA programs across facilities.
• Mentor Quality Engineers and Inspectors to meet performance expectations.
• Monitor quality metrics (PPM, DPP, scrap) and drive preventive actions.

Skills

Quality leadership

Root cause analysis

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

8D problem solving

5 Whys

APQP/PPAP

Cross-functional collaboration

On-floor leadership

Statistical methods

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Quality

Tools

QMS (ISO 9001/14001)

Engineering drawings interpretation

Job description

Industry: Machinery Manufacturing / Industrial Manufacturing

We are supporting an established, growing manufacturer of custom-engineered industrial equipment in hiring a Quality Manager to lead manufacturing quality improvements across multiple production facilities in the Chicago area.

This is an opportunity for an experienced quality leader who enjoys being directly involved in manufacturing operations, identifying production challenges, and implementing meaningful improvements. As the company continues to increase production volume, the Quality Manager will play a critical role in reducing defects, minimizing rework, improving product reliability, and establishing consistent quality standards throughout the manufacturing process.

You will have direct ownership of the company's quality operations, working closely with production leadership, engineering, purchasing, and customer-facing teams to identify the root causes of manufacturing defects and implement lasting changes. A major focus will be transitioning quality practices from reactive inspections and troubleshooting into a more proactive, standardized approach that prevents defects before products reach final testing.

This position requires a technically strong, hands-on leader who is comfortable spending time on the manufacturing floor, challenging existing processes, and driving measurable improvements. You will also lead the development and maintenance of the company's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with ISO standards while building a culture of quality and accountability throughout the organization.

If you are an experienced manufacturing quality professional who enjoys solving complex production problems, leading teams, and seeing the direct impact of your work, we would love to speak with you!

This position will give you the opportunity to:

• Lead quality operations and continuous improvement initiatives across five manufacturing facilities in the Melrose Park and Elk Grove Village areas.
• Identify recurring manufacturing defects, production inefficiencies, and sources of excessive rework, implementing corrective actions that improve first-pass quality and reduce scrap.
• Establish proactive, in-process quality controls and inspection procedures to identify defects earlier in the manufacturing process rather than relying primarily on final product testing.
• Evaluate existing production processes, including welding, fabrication, assembly, coating, and product testing, to identify opportunities for improved quality and consistency.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives utilizing methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma.
• Develop and monitor quality performance metrics, including defect rates, parts per million (PPM), first-pass yield, rework, warranty costs, and customer rejection rates.
• Partner directly with production supervisors and operations leadership to implement manufacturing process improvements and establish accountability for quality performance.
• Lead, coach, and develop quality personnel, including Quality Engineering and Quality Control Inspectors, while establishing clear performance expectations.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the company's Quality Management System (QMS), including quality procedures, inspection standards, control forms, and documentation.
• Maintain ISO 9001 compliance and support internal audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement of quality management processes.
• Work closely with Engineering to ensure product specifications, manufacturing capabilities, and quality standards are properly aligned.
• Collaborate with Purchasing and suppliers to resolve nonconforming materials, improve incoming product quality, and support supplier qualification and audits.
• Serve as a key point of contact for customer quality concerns, warranty claims, product failures, and field-related quality issues.
• Partner with Field Service, Sales, and Engineering teams to investigate customer complaints, determine root causes, and coordinate effective resolutions.
• Lead investigations into product failures and warranty claims, implementing preventive measures to reduce recurring issues and improve customer satisfaction.
• Establish standardized quality practices across manufacturing facilities while supporting increased production volumes and changing customer requirements.
• Promote a proactive quality culture by engaging production employees, improving communication, and ensuring quality standards are consistently followed.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related technical/STEM discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or quality management within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience identifying manufacturing defects, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions that result in measurable improvements.
• Experience developing, implementing, or improving in-process quality controls, inspection procedures, and manufacturing quality standards.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001/14001 Quality Management Systems, including documentation, internal audits, corrective actions, and ongoing compliance.
• Experience utilizing quality and continuous improvement methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S/6S, PPAP, or APQP.
• Ability to analyze quality performance data, identify recurring trends and translate findings into actionable manufacturing improvements.
• Previous experience leading or supervising Quality Engineers, Quality Inspectors, or manufacturing quality personnel.
• Strong understanding of supplier quality management, nonconforming materials, and corrective action processes.
• Experience investigating customer complaints, warranty claims, and product failures in industrial manufacturing environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with production employees, engineers, suppliers and customers.
• Experience with engineered mechanical equipment, industrial machinery, fabricated metal products, or similar manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.
• Previous experience in heat transfer equipment or radiator manufacturing is beneficial but not required.
• Spanish-speaking proficiency is strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel between local manufacturing facilities and occasionally travel domestically or internationally as needed.

What Naturally Makes You a Good Fit:

• You find yourself gravitating toward the manufacturing floor and digging into how things are done
• You like to build relationships throughout your workplace and connect with people naturally
• You are proactive and don't wait for someone to tell you what needs fixing
• You enjoy finding the root of an issue and ask curious questions to figure it out completely
• You organically see and recognize areas of improvement
• You enjoy understanding how products are designed, manufactured, tested, and used
• You're confident in your ability and comfortable making decisions using critical decision-making
• You care deeply for the customer experience and understand the direct impact manufacturing has on customer relationships
• You enjoy the fruits of your work being visible and largely impactful

Position Keywords

Quality Manager, Manufacturing Quality Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Control Manager, Quality Engineering Manager, Quality Director, QMS, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Manufacturing Quality, Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action, CAPA, 8D, 5 Whys, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PPAP, APQP, First Pass Yield, PPM, Defect Reduction, Welding Quality, Metal Fabrication, Mechanical Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, Continuous Improvement, Industrial Equipment Manufacturing