Quality Manager – Automotive Manufacturing

German American Chambers of Commerce; Illinois; Presencial; USD 100.000 - 120.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Medical insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Holidays & ownership opportunity

Descripción de la vacante

GACC Midwest is helping an established international manufacturer recruit a hands-on Quality Manager for its U.S. manufacturing operation in Illinois.

The role focuses on owning the Quality Management System, maintaining ISO 9001 standards, and leading initiatives toward IATF 16949 readiness. You will drive QMS improvements, prepare for customer audits, and work closely with Production, Engineering, and leadership across the United States and Germany to ensure robust quality processes and

Formación

• Progressive quality experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on IATF 16949 knowledge and implementation experience.
• Experience with Automotive Core Tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, Control Plans.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and QMS.
• Experience leading internal, customer, or third-party audits.
• Experience launching new automotive programs.
• Ability to collaborate across Manufacturing, Engineering, and leadership.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsabilidades

• Lead the site's QMS and maintain ISO 9001 compliance.
• Drive IATF 16949 readiness activities and audit prep.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation (PFMEAs, Control Plans, procedures).
• Apply automotive core tools in projects.
• Support new product introductions and launches.
• Coordinate internal and customer quality audits and CAPA.
• Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement to reduce defects.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, and production teams.
• Monitor quality KPIs and implement corrective actions.
• Train employees on quality procedures and automotive requirements.
• Align U.S. quality with German headquarters.
• Serve as the local quality contact for management and customers.

Conocimientos

IATF 16949

ISO 9001 / QMS

Automotive Core Tools (APQP/PPAP/FMEA/

MSA / SPC / Control Plans

Audits & Customer audits

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Quality documentation

Process improvement

Descripción del empleo

GACC Midwest is supporting an established international manufacturer in recruiting a Quality Manager for its U.S. manufacturing operation.

About the Opportunity

Our client is seeking a hands-on Quality Manager to lead day-to-day quality operations while helping prepare its U.S. manufacturing facility for the next stage of automotive growth.

The company has recently secured new automotive business and is strengthening its quality systems to meet increasing customer requirements, including preparation for IATF 16949 certification.

Reporting directly to the President, you will take ownership of the site's Quality Management System, maintain its established ISO 9001 standards, support new automotive product launches, and lead the implementation of automotive quality processes.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a smaller manufacturing environment, where you will work closely with Production, Engineering, and leadership in both the United States and Germany.

We welcome applications from experienced Quality Managers as well as senior automotive quality professionals who are ready to take ownership of a site's quality function.

Your Key Priorities

During your first year, you will focus on:

• Automotive expansion: Support the successful launch of newly awarded automotive programs and implementation of customer-specific quality requirements.
• IATF 16949 readiness: Assess the existing ISO 9001 Quality Management System, identify gaps, and help lead the facility toward IATF 16949 certification.
• Customer audits: Prepare the organization for upcoming automotive customer audits and support the resolution of identified gaps.
• Quality systems development: Strengthen Process Flows, PFMEAs, Control Plans, inspection procedures, and other automotive quality documentation.
• Operational quality: Maintain effective day-to-day quality processes while implementing new automotive requirements.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Production, and international leadership to establish sustainable quality processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, maintain, and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring ongoing ISO 9001 compliance.
• Drive IATF 16949 readiness activities, including gap assessments, documentation improvements, process development, and audit preparation.
• Develop, review, and maintain quality documentation, including procedures, work instructions, Process Flows, PFMEAs, Control Plans, and inspection plans.
• Apply Automotive Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Support new product introductions, production launches, and automotive customer-specific requirements.
• Coordinate internal and customer quality audits, corrective actions, and follow-up activities.
• Lead root cause analysis, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, scrap, and quality-related issues.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering, Tooling, Purchasing, and other departments to improve manufacturing quality and process controls.
• Monitor quality performance, analyze KPIs, and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Train and support employees in quality procedures, documentation, and automotive quality requirements.
• Collaborate with the German headquarters to align global quality standards with U.S. manufacturing operations and customer expectations.
• Serve as the primary local quality contact for management, customers, and external stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a technically strong automotive quality professional who enjoys being involved in manufacturing operations, solving problems, and building effective quality systems.

The ideal candidate combines practical knowledge of automotive quality requirements with the ability to work independently, collaborate across departments, and take ownership of a developing quality function.

Required Qualifications

• Several years of progressive quality experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, including practical experience implementing, maintaining, or improving automotive quality processes.
• Hands-on experience with Automotive Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience preparing for or participating in internal, customer, or third‑party quality audits.
• Experience supporting automotive customer requirements, new product launches, or production quality.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality documentation, and inspection procedures.
• Experience with root cause analysis, corrective actions, and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Ability to work effectively with Manufacturing, Engineering, Production, and other operational teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct involvement in IATF 16949 implementation, certification, recertification, gap assessments, or audit‑readiness initiatives.
• Previous quality management, supervisory, or project leadership experience.
• Experience in precision metal stamping, deep drawing, metal forming, tool & die, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience managing automotive customer audits and customer‑specific requirements.
• Experience working in a smaller manufacturing facility with broad quality responsibilities.
• Experience collaborating with international teams or a foreign parent company.
• Spanish language skills are a plus, particularly for employee training and communication.

About the Company

Our client is an established, privately held manufacturer specializing in precision metal stamping and deep drawing solutions. Its U.S. manufacturing operation is part of an international organization headquartered in Germany.

With newly awarded automotive business and continued investment in its U.S. operation, the company is entering an important phase of growth. Strengthening its quality management capabilities is a key part of supporting this expansion and meeting the expectations of automotive customers.

The organization offers a collaborative manufacturing environment, direct access to leadership, and the opportunity to take meaningful responsibility for quality systems and continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $100,000–$120,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Medical insurance with multiple plan options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid Time Off increasing with tenure, up to 20 days annually.
• 8 paid company holidays.
• Opportunity to lead the development of automotive quality systems and support newly awarded customer programs.
• Direct collaboration with U.S. and international leadership.
• Significant ownership and visibility within a growing manufacturing operation.

Interested in Making an Impact?

If you have a strong foundation in automotive quality management and are interested in taking ownership of a manufacturing site's quality systems during an important stage of growth, we encourage you to apply.

We welcome experienced Quality Managers and senior automotive quality professionals ready for their next step in quality leadership.