Quality Manager - Plastics - Rockford, IL

Description

Are you a results-driven quality professional with a passion for continuous improvement? We’re searching for a Quality Manager to lead our quality assurance and compliance efforts, ensuring our products meet the highest industry and customer standards. Reporting to the Plant Manager, you’ll oversee a dynamic team, drive process improvements, implement quality systems, and lead audits and compliance programs such as SQF, HACCP, and GMP.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoys problem-solving, and is committed to enhancing product quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. If you’re ready to make a significant impact and be a key player in our success, apply today!

Position Summary

The Quality Manager is responsible for managing all quality functions within the manufacturing organization. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, this role ensures adherence to company quality vision, strategy, and goals. The Quality Manager must have excellent communication skills for working with internal teams and external customers, and a strong commitment to achieving excellence in product quality, process efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

This position requires a strong understanding of statistical analysis, quality assurance systems, and problem-solving methodologies. The Quality Manager will provide technical leadership to improve manufacturing quality, performance, and product safety while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Quality Management & Compliance

• Oversee the overall performance of the quality department team, including hiring, training, and performance management.
• Implement and manage corporate quality compliance and certification programs such as SQF, GFSI, HACCP, and GMP.
• Ensure all food safety programs and regulatory requirements are met.
• Manage customer complaint response processes, including corrective actions and documentation.
• Maintain and oversee the Hold for Inspection (HFI) process within the plant.
• Lead internal and external audits and implement necessary corrective actions.
• Coordinate internal and external audits to ensure compliance with industry standards.
• Ensure compliance with customer-required quality standards, answering quality questions, surveys, and audits.
• Support plant and corporate quality initiatives, ensuring alignment with customer and industry standards.

Process Improvement & Data Analysis

• Conduct statistical evaluations of plant manufacturing performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide data analysis for optimizing resources in equipment maintenance and repair scheduling.
• Manage supplier qualification programs and ensure supplier quality compliance.
• Identify and plan for data collection systems to enhance process monitoring and quality control.
• Implement ongoing quality improvement processes working with cross-functional teams.
• Facilitate and support problem-solving techniques such as root cause analysis and Six Sigma methodologies.

Technical Support & Training

• Provide technical support to plant personnel, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
• Conduct training in statistical process control (SPC) principles, problem-solving techniques, and quality management tools.
• Coach hourly personnel in applying SPC on the plant floor.
• Support establishment and monitoring of gauge maintenance programs, including gauge R&R studies.
• Facilitate SOP development and training programs.
• Assist in the installation and maintenance of quality network systems.

Project Management & Team Collaboration

• Lead and participate in plant steering committees and management teams related to quality initiatives.
• Collaborate with corporate engineering and manufacturing teams to improve process capability and product reliability.
• Work closely with customers and suppliers to ensure quality expectations are met.
• Manage and monitor the internal Corrective Action Request (CAR) process.
• Support product development teams with quality and process design input.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.
• Five (5) to ten (10) years of experience as a quality practitioner at both operational and managerial levels.
• Formal training in statistical process control and quality management.
• Experience in metal or plastic packaging preferred.
• Previous experience with food safety programs such as GMP, HACCP, and GFSI.
• SQF Practitioner certification preferred.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems for quality tracking.
• Strong knowledge of statistical software (e.g., SAS JMP) and advanced quality control methodologies.
• Understanding of ISO 9000, ISO 14000, Six Sigma, and other relevant quality frameworks.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data for process optimization.

Personal & Leadership Skills

• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach to process improvement.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of quality engineers, quality auditors, and quality technicians.

Supervised By

• Plant Manager (Dotted line to Director of Quality and Food Safety)

Confidentiality & Impact of Errors

• Access to technical data, manufacturing process capabilities, and proprietary specifications.
• Errors in analysis or quality management could impact production efficiency, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.

This Position Description is not to be construed as a complete listing of the assignments that may be given to any employee.  Other appropriate duties may be assigned that are not listed in the description.