Quality Assurance Program Manager Jobs in Illinois

Job Summary/Objective

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving the company's quality systems to ensure compliance with ISO 9001:2015, customer requirements, and internal standards. This role oversees non‐conforming material control, quality documentation, PPAP submissions, RGA investigations, and quality inspections throughout the manufacturing process. The manager leads ISO audit activities, supports Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives, and provides timely quality data using Microsoft Excel and digital quality tools. Strong customer interaction, cross‐plant collaboration, and supervisory leadership are essential.

Essential Functions

1. Provide leadership and guidance to Quality Assurance personnel, ensuring quality requirements are represented in daily plant operations.
2. Oversee quality inspections from incoming materials through finished goods, ensuring compliance with specifications and control plans.
3. Build and maintain strong quality relationships with customers and suppliers, including communication on quality issues, PPAP status, and corrective actions.
4. Lead improvements to quality systems, documentation, and digital reporting tools.
5. Develop trust‐based customer partnerships through consistent quality performance and responsiveness.
6. Train, coach, and develop QA staff to strengthen technical capability and quality culture.
7. Manage programs to achieve top customer quality ratings and certifications.
8. Maintain internal quality indicators, dashboards, and metrics; ensure timely reporting to customers and leadership.
9. Oversee QA equipment, facilities, and staff, including calibration systems, laboratory operations, testing methods, training, and records integrity.
10. Maintain product and process management systems supporting manufacturing control plans, specifications, quality standards, and training.
11. Provide timely and accurate quality feedback to departments responsible for process evaluation and improvement.
12. Coordinate ISO 9001:2015 audits, internal audits, supplier audits, and compliance activities with the ISO Management Representative.
13. Collaborate with all company plants on quality issues, systemic improvements, and shared best practices.
14. Manage and investigate non‐conforming material, including NCRs, RGAs, root‐cause analysis, and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
15. Oversee PPAP submissions, documentation, and customer approval processes.
16. Support Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to reduce defects, improve processes, and strengthen quality performance.
17. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience/Skills

1. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field preferred; equivalent experience accepted.
2. Minimum 4 years of experience in quality, engineering, or manufacturing roles.
3. Experience in tire manufacturing or materials preferred.
4. Strong leadership, self‐motivation, and decision‐making ability.
5. Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
6. Strong interpersonal, organizational, and technical skills.
7. Supervisory experience (3+ years) preferred.
8. Excellent knowledge of statistical methods, sampling techniques, and data analysis.
9. Ability to interact with all levels of personnel as the primary quality representative.
10. Experience with ISO 9001 audits, PPAP, CAPA, and quality inspection systems.
11. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel (pivot tables, charts, data analysis).
12. Experience with Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies preferred.

Since 1971, FurstStaffing has been servicing two clients: companies seeking talent and individuals seeking employment or a career change.

FurstStaffing provides project (assignments), to-hire, and direct placement opportunities in a variety of industries for entry-mid level office and industrial careers. FurstProfessionals focuses on mid-management and technical careers in fields such as HR, IT, Financial, Engineering, Maintenance Mechanics, Sales, etc. FurstExecutiveSolutions is a retained executive search organization which focuses on the VP, C, and BOD level careers. FurstStrategies provides HR Consulting and Talent Transition Services.

We are family-owned and certified as a WBENC business. Headquartered in Rockford, IL, and offices in Stockton, IL and Darlington, WI.