Process Quality Manager (Spring Grove)

Corporate Process Quality Manager

Salary range: $110k-$120k, 15% ESOP plus target bonus

Location: Spring Grove, IL

The Corporate Process Quality Manager is responsible for driving a company-wide initiative to establish and sustain a best-in-class quality culture, strengthen process control, and embed structured problem-solving and continuous improvement practices throughout manufacturing operations.

Working closely with the Director of Quality, Corporate Quality Assurance Manager, and cross-functional leadership teams, this individual will provide technical direction, lead high-impact quality improvement initiatives, and support the implementation of sustainable process improvements on the shop floor.

A key focus of this role is integrating demanding customer and industry requirements—including nuclear, military, aerospace, NADCAP, and AS9100 requirements—into the company’s manufacturing culture and operational processes. The successful candidate will be a visible, hands-on leader who builds employee engagement, develops problem-solving capabilities, and drives measurable improvements in quality, process performance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Culture & Continuous Improvement:

• Partner with the Director of Quality and Corporate Quality Assurance Manager to develop, implement, and sustain a best-in-class quality culture across the organization.
• Lead company-wide continuous improvement initiatives, emphasizing process control, structured problem-solving, employee engagement, and measurable results.
• Serve as a visible champion of quality excellence through hands-on engagement with Employee Owners at all organizational levels and throughout manufacturing operations.
• Integrate quality expectations into organizational development, employee training, and daily operating practices.
• Build strong relationships with Employee Owners, Sales, Production, Engineering, and other functional leaders to strengthen accountability and achieve best-in-class performance.
• Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives directly on the shop floor.
• Lead high-visibility quality problem-solving events and drive sustainable corrective actions based on data and demonstrated root causes.

Corrective Action & Quality Systems:

• Support and enhance the company’s Corrective Action Request (CAR) system by building cross-functional teams, promoting engagement, and ensuring effective implementation of improvement actions.
• Lead the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of internal quality systems, including nonconformance control, deviation management, and corrective action processes.
• Ensure timely, effective resolution of quality issues and verify the sustainability of corrective and preventive actions.
• Organize and mobilize the appropriate technical and operational resources to address real-time, in-process quality problems.
• Support internal and external supplier quality audits, as well as layered process audits, in collaboration with the Corporate Quality Assurance team.
• Ensure timely, thorough, and effective responses to internal and external customers, maintaining a strong customer-focused approach.

Process Control & Technical Quality:

• Provide engineering and technical support to manufacturing operations to ensure consistent application of quality methods during the investigation and resolution of nonconformances and process issues.
• Reinforce the importance of process control, standardization, and disciplined execution across all manufacturing departments.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEAs) and control plans for critical processes and customer projects.
• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities, including the selection and application of appropriate measurement systems and tools during new product and process design, development, and startup.
• Collaborate with Sales, Process Engineering, and subject matter experts to identify critical part characteristics and evaluate design manufacturability.
• Recommend modifications to customer specifications and tolerances, where appropriate and in coordination with relevant stakeholders, to improve manufacturability and cost-effective production while maintaining customer and regulatory requirements.
• Apply statistical methods, data analysis, and appropriate quality tools to identify process variation, evaluate performance, and drive sustainable improvements.
• Provide access to and coordinate technical resources, including facilitation, statistical analysis, and Six Sigma methodologies, to support quality initiatives.

Quality Metrics & Operational Performance:

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of company-wide quality metrics and performance measures.
• Support Daily Collaboration Meetings and other operating review processes to improve visibility, accountability, and responsiveness to quality issues.
• Use data-driven decision-making to identify trends, prioritize improvement opportunities, and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented solutions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing leadership to improve process consistency, reduce defects and waste, and strengthen overall operational performance.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Coach, mentor, and develop direct reports or interns, as assigned, to strengthen technical capabilities, employee engagement, and individual performance.
• Build effective cross-functional teams and foster collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to quality.
• Promote the use of structured problem-solving techniques and continuous improvement tools throughout the organization.
• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.
• Travel overnight as needed to support company operations and quality initiatives.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least 7 years of quality leadership experience, with demonstrated success leading hands-on, shop-floor continuous improvement initiatives.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification, with multiple completed projects demonstrating measurable business and quality improvements.
• Qualified Lead Auditor experience with recognized quality management systems, such as ISO 9001 or AS9100.
• Experience in the metals industry and/or knowledge of metallurgy preferred.
• Experience supporting demanding customer and industry requirements in aerospace, military, nuclear, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification preferred.

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), 8D structured problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
• Proficiency in Lean manufacturing, 6S, value stream mapping (VSM), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and other continuous improvement tools.
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis, process capability, measurement systems, and data-driven process improvement.
• Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and manufacturing specifications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and working knowledge of Minitab.

Leadership Competencies:

The successful candidate will demonstrate

• Strategic and Operational Leadership: Ability to translate business objectives into practical, sustainable improvements on the shop floor.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to make complex decisions using data and structured methodologies.
• Execution & Accountability: A bias for action, perseverance, effective time management, and a demonstrated ability to deliver results.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent listening, presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Collaboration & Team Development: Ability to build effective teams, motivate others, manage diverse relationships, and develop employee capabilities.
• Organizational Effectiveness: Strong process management, organizational agility, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Integrity & Professionalism: Demonstrates sound judgment, transparency, accountability, openness to feedback, and the highest standards of professional conduct.

Make an Impact

If you are passionate about manufacturing excellence, customer satisfaction, and developing a culture where quality is built into every process, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the organization. Join a team committed to continuous improvement, disciplined problem-solving, and delivering consistent, high-quality results for customers.