Quality Manager

NOW Hiring Heroes; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NOW Hiring Heroes is seeking a Quality Manager to lead the quality organization for the Rockford, IL manufacturing site. You will own the quality strategy, drive process and product quality, and ensure reliability across operations.

You will coach hourly employees and management, perform data-driven analysis, and collaborate with engineering, customers, and suppliers to resolve issues and implement improvements. Strong SPC and GMP/HACCP knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing quality assurance with leadership responsibilities.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and email; ERP experience.
• Strong understanding of gauge capability studies and process capability analysis.
• Experience with GMP, HACCP, and GFSI standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage the quality department’s performance, including hiring, retention, motivation, and training.
• Follow corporate guidelines for quality metrics, including return rates, product reliability, warranty data, and defect rates.
• Manage the customer complaint response process.
• Oversee quality compliance programs, including SQF food safety and quality programs.
• Monitor and report quality and compliance data for products, components, customers, and suppliers.
• Coordinate plant process certifications and verify compliance with standards and customer requirements.
• Lead or participate in SOP development and training updates.
• Work with quality technicians to implement monitoring systems and related software.

Skills

Quality management

Statistical analysis

Process improvement

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in quality management/engineering/manufacturing

Formal SPC/quality systems training

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

SPC software

Statistical analysis software

Job description

The Quality Manager oversees all quality functions for the manufacturing organization and reports directly to the Senior Director of Operations. This role implements and manages the organization’s quality strategy and goals, with a focus on customer satisfaction, process and product quality, and reliability.

The Quality Manager advises plant leadership on process performance issues and trains and coaches hourly employees and management teams. The role requires strong analytical skills to evaluate data objectively and perform statistical analysis, as well as the ability to work with corporate engineering and customers on process capability. Technical writing skills are helpful for developing reports and documenting team progress.

Primary Duties

• Manage the quality department’s performance, including hiring, retention, motivation, and training.
• Follow corporate guidelines for quality metrics, including return rates, product reliability, warranty data, and defect rates.
• Manage the customer complaint response process.
• Manage the plant’s Hold for Inspection (HFI) process.
• Oversee quality compliance and certification programs, including SQF food safety and quality programs.
• Monitor and report quality and compliance data for products, components, customers, and suppliers.
• Manage supplier audit programs and the dock-to-stock process.
• Manage and monitor the internal corrective action request (CAR) process.
• Coordinate responses to quality issues with engineering, customer support, and other relevant teams.
• Identify data collection needs and implement systems or changes as required.
• Write quality procedures as needed.
• Develop and implement customer-required quality assurance plans and reporting.
• Respond to customer quality inquiries and surveys, and assess customer and supplier satisfaction through surveys, interviews, and meetings.

Technical Support to the Management Team

• Analyze and report plant manufacturing performance to identify trends, evaluate process effectiveness, and support decision-making.
• Use operational and quality data to help management prioritize resources, equipment maintenance, repairs, and process improvements.
• Participate in customer, supplier, regulatory, and third-party audits. Provide documentation, performance analysis, and corrective action recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable product safety, food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and improvement of food safety programs, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognized standards.
• Train and coach production personnel on Statistical Process Control (SPC) techniques to monitor processes, identify variation, and maintain product quality.
• Conduct gauge and process capability analyses to evaluate manufacturing performance, measurement reliability, and opportunities for improvement.
• Establish and monitor gauge calibration and maintenance programs to ensure measurement accuracy and compliance.
• Lead or participate in teams that develop, implement, and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and related training. Keep procedures current, standardized, and aligned with operational requirements.
• Work with Quality Technicians and other technical personnel to implement, maintain, and improve quality monitoring systems, software, and related network applications.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings and coordinate work across teams to meet operational and quality objectives.
• Coordinate plant process certifications and verify compliance with established standards and customer requirements.
• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of quality management systems, records, and supporting documentation.
• Participate in plant leadership meetings, steering committees, and continuous improvement initiatives. Provide quality-related findings and recommendations.
• Oversee document control for quality policies, procedures, specifications, and records.
• Conduct or support plant and process audits to assess compliance, identify improvements, and verify that corrective actions are implemented.
• Work with plant leadership to reinforce quality, accountability, product safety, and continuous improvement.

Safety, Housekeeping, and Teamwork

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
• Participate in or lead internal audits and meetings as required.
• Support continuous improvement efforts.
• Serve as a resource for new and existing employees, answer questions, and reinforce safe work practices.

Qualifications

• Experience in quality assurance and quality management, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, quality systems, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and email applications. Experience with MRP or ERP systems.
• Strong understanding of gauge capability studies, process capability analysis, and SPC.
• Experience using advanced statistical tools and analytical techniques to evaluate processes, identify trends, and improve performance.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis software.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, coordinate, execute, and monitor multiple initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work across departments and organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, motivate, and lead teams toward quality and operational objectives.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and develop lasting solutions.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and consistent work performance.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Education, Training, and Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in quality management, engineering, manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
• Five to seven years of progressive experience in manufacturing quality assurance or quality management, including operational and leadership responsibilities.
• Formal training and demonstrated knowledge of SPC, quality control methods, and quality management systems.
• Experience in metal packaging or a related manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience implementing, maintaining, and overseeing food safety and quality assurance programs, including GMP, HACCP, and GFSI-recognized standards.
• Experience supporting regulatory compliance, internal and external audits, corrective and preventive actions, and continuous improvement initiatives preferred.

Working Relationships

• Works with customers, operations supervisors and managers, and employees across the organization.
• Supervises the Quality Auditor and Quality Technicians.
• Reports to the Senior Director of Operations.

Heroes Talent Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Heroes Talent Group, LLC and all client companies comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training, etc.. For more information on our EOE program or to report a violation, Follow this link