Director of Quality & Operational Excellence

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Director of Quality & Operational Excellence
Location: Wood Dale, Illinois
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: $185,000 - $210,000 plus benefits

Our client, a growing precision sheet metal and fabrication manufacturer , is seeking a Director of Quality & Operational Excellence to strengthen and scale its Quality organization across two distinct manufacturing environments.
This is a strategic leadership role focused on building the leadership structure, processes, accountability and quality systems needed to support the company's continued growth. The successful candidate will have strong technical expertise, evaluate existing processes, strengthen the Quality function and establish a more proactive, continuous-improvement culture across the organization.
The Director will work closely with Engineering, Operations and Production to identify root causes, eliminate recurring issues and ensure Quality is integrated into manufacturing rather than operating as a reactive or standalone function.
Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Quality organization, including the existing Quality Manager and Quality Inspectors.
• Assess current Quality processes, systems and team capabilities and implement improvements where needed.
• Establish clear accountability, performance expectations, KPIs and quality standards .
• Build a proactive Quality culture focused on prevention, root-cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Operations and Production to resolve recurring quality and manufacturing issues.
• Drive measurable improvements in scrap, rework, defects, customer complaints and overall operational performance.
• Develop managers and technical employees and strengthen the organization's leadership capabilities.
• Implement scalable Quality processes and systems that can support significant future growth.
• Work directly with senior leadership to identify risks, opportunities and strategic Quality initiatives.
• Support customer, internal and external audit requirements and maintain appropriate quality standards.
• Provide oversight and leadership for the company's aerospace-related operations as that business develops.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive Quality experience within a manufacturing environment , with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience leading, strengthening and developing existing Quality teams and managers.
• Strong background in precision sheet metal, metal fabrication, machining, or another complex manufacturing environment .
• Establishing measurable KPI’s and accountability and demonstrating success implementing Quality systems, processes, accountability and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of root-cause analysis, corrective action and process improvement methodologies .  Implementing sustainable corrective actions and root-cause solutions.
• Working directly on the manufacturing floor with and proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively with Engineering, Operations and Production.
• Experience working directly with senior executives and contributing to organizational strategy.
• Driving continuous improvement and measurable operational results.  Demonstrated history of delivering measurable operational and quality improvements .
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations or a related field preferred.
• Lean/Six Sigma, ISO 9001, and AS9100 experience is required.

Why Kelly®?

As a worker today, it’s up to you to take charge of your career and look for opportunities to learn, grow and achieve your potential. Helping you find what’s next is what we’re all about. We know what’s going on in the evolving world of work—just ask the nearly 500,000 people we employ each year. Connecting with us means getting the support, guidance and opportunities needed to take your career where you may have never imagined.

 

About Kelly®

At Kelly, we’re always thinking about what’s next and advising job seekers on new ways of working to reach their full potential. In fact, we’re a leading advocate for temporary/non-traditional workstyles, because we believe they allow flexibility and tremendous growth opportunities that enable a better way to work and live. Connecting great people with great companies is what we do best, and our employment opportunities span a wide variety of workstyles, skill levels and industries around the world.

 

Kelly is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodation for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Kelly will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Kelly in advance.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Get a complete career fit with Kelly®.

You’re looking to keep your career moving onward and upward, and we’re here to help you do just that. Our staffing experts connect you with top companies for opportunities where you can learn, grow, and thrive. Jobs that fit your skills and experience, and most importantly, fit right on your path of where you want to go in your career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.