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Director Quality Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

... everyday operations, proactively prevent defects, and drive continuous improvement. This role includes both direct and indirect people management and leadership responsibilities. The position ...

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Director of Quality

Wood Dale, IL · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Director of Quality & Operational Excellence Location: Wood Dale, Illinois Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time Salary: $150,000 - $180,000 plus benefits Our client, a growing precision sheet metal ...

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Director Quality Operations information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$35K

$110.9K

$184.9K

How much do director quality operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for director quality operations in Chicago, IL is $110,926.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,800.00 and $139,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director quality operations do?

A Director of Quality Operations oversees the quality assurance and control processes within an organization, ensuring that products or services meet established standards. They develop and implement quality management systems, lead compliance initiatives, and coordinate cross-functional teams to improve operational efficiency. This role often involves monitoring regulatory requirements, managing audits, and driving continuous improvement projects. The Director of Quality Operations plays a key leadership role in maintaining customer satisfaction and supporting business objectives.

What are the main challenges a director quality operations typically faces when coordinating cross-functional teams?

Directors of Quality Operations often encounter the challenge of aligning diverse teams—such as manufacturing, regulatory, and R&D—toward shared quality goals. Balancing differing priorities, managing communication across departments, and ensuring consistent adherence to quality standards can be complex. Effective leaders in this role foster collaboration, establish clear processes, and proactively address potential bottlenecks to drive continuous improvement and compliance. Developing strong interpersonal relationships and maintaining transparency are crucial to successfully navigating these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director quality operations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Quality Operations, you need expertise in quality management systems, regulatory compliance, and process improvement, often supported by a relevant degree and extensive experience in quality assurance. Familiarity with tools such as Six Sigma, ISO standards, and quality management software is typically required, along with certifications like ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE). Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are vital soft skills for driving cross-functional initiatives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. These skills ensure that organizational processes meet regulatory standards, reduce risk, and support business objectives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Quality Operations jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Quality Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Quality Operations jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Director Quality Operations jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Quality Operations jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Quality Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Director Quality Operations jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Director Quality Operations job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Quality Operations job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $110,926 per year, or $53.3 per hour.

Senior Manager, Quality

Libertyville, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Quality Systems assumes overall responsibility in ensuring that their site(s)/operations maintain operational and quality systems in a state of compliance to domestic and international standards. The role is responsible for the organization, documentation, and maintenance of the quality system to be compliant with, as appropriate, the following standards: ISO 9001, ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820/211, EU GMPs, ISO 17025, ISO 11137 and/or ISO 11135 and other applicable regulatory standards.


The Senior Manager is responsible for execution of the quality management system within multiple facilities spread across geographical regions and/or countries or complex facilities with multiple modalities/technologies and operations streams (i.e. laboratories, radiation technology centers, dosimeter manufacturing, e-beam system manufacturing, calibration cells, etc.).

This position is responsible for quality system execution and compliance within a complex network of technologies/modalities that operate within a heavily regulated environment and serve a diverse Customer-base with significant variance in product mix, including facilities that conduct Customer product testing and/or product evaluation, as well as manufacturing operations in certain regions. This leadership position is responsible for the development and implementation of the quality systems across multiple facilities/modalities within the AST division. In addition, the position will be responsible for all quality matters pertinent to the quality system in their facilities to maintain sustainable quality processes. The Senior Manager also supports the global Quality Operations organization by establishing strategic plans targeted at achieving global fiscal year objectives.

The Senior Manager is also responsible for leading quality improvement initiatives for complex or multi-site processing and lab facilities. This position takes the lead in developing, adopting, and maintaining state-of-the-art quality practices for sites which have multi-faceted service lines and associated regulatory requirements.

This position has the authority to cease processing if deemed necessary.

What You'll do as Senior Manager Quality
  • The Senior Manager, Quality Systems is responsible for leading and directing the Quality Operations Leads and staff for their assigned facilities within country/multiple countries. The Senior Manager has assigned responsibility for multiple AST facilities including dual modality facilities, facilities with multiple irradiators, highly complex facilities, Customer product testing/product evaluations, and/or Dosimetry Manufacturing as determined by Operational Quality Business Unit Management. The Senior Manager is responsible for ensuring product release is executed as per approved Work instructions and Customer specifications.
  • Lead the Quality Operations staff in their multiple facilities/modalities to ensure compliance to the overall Quality Management System and drive continuous improvement.
  • Ensure the Operational Quality activities are consistent with the goals and objectives of the AST organization. This is accomplished through the ongoing implementation of improvements as directed by the Director, Quality Operations and Vice President, AST Quality Operations and ensuring that corrective and preventive actions within the assigned facilities are implemented timely and as designed. The Senior Manager is accountable for metric performance in their region. It is expected that all sites achieve annual targets. This is achieved by identifying and leading countermeasure activities for sites where monthly key performance metric targets have not been achieved.
  • Lead by coaching, managing, and monitoring their staff through ongoing performance feedback and formal reviews, as well as demonstrating best practices in job function and development initiatives which target individual strengths and weaknesses.
  • The Senior Manager ensures that the required initial and continuing training of Quality Operations personnel is implemented according to need.
  • Lead the implementation of quality system standards through providing direction to the Quality Operations Manager, Operational Quality Lead(s), Engineers/Analysts and Technicians in their facilities.
  • Monitor facility non-conformances, Customer complaints, and audit findings from internal and external audits. Perform periodic audits within the assigned facility and participate in other facilities as needed to support continuous monitoring of our quality system.
  • Own the Customer and notified body quality/regulatory audit process at their facilities. Provide regular feedback and communication on the status of active audits to the Operational Quality Zone Director.
  • Collaborate with operations management within their assigned facilities to develop sustainable remediation action plans. Actively participate in assigned facility projects alongside the Operations Management team to identify opportunities for improvement and efficiency all while ensuring the spirit of the regulations that govern our business are never compromised.
  • Apply regulatory knowledge and judgment to the evaluation of quality concerns as well as regulatory compliance issues.
Duties - cont'd
  • Responsible for leading support during Regulatory inspections process on-site at their facilities. Works with Senior Quality Operations Management, and AST Quality and Regulatory Compliance Management to assist in gathering Inspector's requests for information in a timely manner with the highest level of professionalism. Implement any remediation required as a result of an inspection immediately with a corrective action plan within their facility.
  • Direct implementation of Dosimetry or Biological Indicator systems / manufacturing (where applicable) within their facility/facilities ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and standards.
  • Co-own with Operations the continuous improvement efforts within the facility by participating in quality and performance improvement projects. Provide feedback from quality staff to Senior Quality operations Management and Compliance Management on opportunities for improvement.
  • Monitor Operational Quality facility expenses to ensure actual expenses are managed with the plan and the subsequent forecasts by quarter.
  • Promote a safe, clean, and secure working environment by supporting procedures, rules, and regulations; supports plant safety committees that evaluate plant machinery, equipment, and working conditions.
  • Conduct yourself in accordance with the principles of the STERIS Code of Business Conduct and comply with all Company policies.
  • Protect company confidential information by properly storing, retrieving, and disseminating such information only to those authorized.
  • Exhibit a commitment to the AST shared values of Customer Satisfaction and Continuous Improvement through ensuring defect-free workmanship, assisting others to meet the Customer's needs, searching for efficient and effective ways to reduce waste, being active and accountable for Customer satisfaction, and satisfying the Customer's needs with a sense of urgency.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
The Experience, Skills, and Abilities Needed

Required:

  • Bachelor's Degree (Engineering or related technical field)
  • Minimum 10 years of combined Manufacturing/Quality Engineering and/or Quality Systems experience
  • Minimum 10 years of experience working in an ISO certified environment
  • Minimum of 6 years in a Quality leadership role inclusive of direct supervisory responsibilities

Preferred:

  • Minimum 10 years of experience with medical device or other regulated industries
  • Experience managing employees in multiple facilities/countries/geographies
  • Sterilization experience
  • Strong working knowledge of FDA QSR/ EUGMP regulations strongly

Other:

  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Focus on identification of potential issues and continuous improvement
  • Experience working on cross-functional teams and on own initiative
  • Effective interpersonal skills, ability to work independently under minimal guidelines and supervision
  • Demonstrated excellent organizational, oral, and written communications skills
  • Must have PC experience, as well as working familiarity of desktop applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, regulated environment with strict deadlines and ever-changing responsibilities
  • Mathematical skills including practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions, and algebra
What STERIS Offers

We value our employees and are committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, well-being, and financial future.

Here is a brief overview of what we offer:

  • Market competitive pay
  • Extensive paid time off and (9) added holidays
  • Excellent healthcare, dental, and vision benefits
  • Long/short term disability coverage
  • 401(K) with company match
  • Maternity and parental leave
  • Additional add on benefits/discounts for programs such as pet insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement and continued educational programs
  • Excellent opportunities for advancement in a stable long-term career

#LI-HT

Pay range for this opportunity is $120,000 - $150,000. This position is eligible for bonus participation.

Minimum pay rates offered will comply with county/city minimums, if higher than range listed. Pay rates are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to local labor market costs, years of relevant experience, education, professional certifications, foreign language fluency, etc.

STERIS offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits portfolio. Click here for a complete list of benefits:STERIS Benefits

Open until position is filled.

STERIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to ensure that persons are recruited, hired, trained, transferred and promoted in all job groups regardless of race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, citizenship status, military or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal, state or local law. We are not only committed to this policy by our status as a federal government contractor, but also we are strongly bound by the principle of equal employment opportunity.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME