Quality Management Systems Lead

Wabtec•Buffalo Grove, IL

About The Position

The Quality Management Systems Lead is responsible for driving compliance with ISO 9001 requirements and driving excellence and optimization in quality systems across the organization. This role oversees all activities related to maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS), including internal audits, management reviews, corrective actions, and certification readiness. In addition, the position leads efforts to optimize business processes, reduce the cost of poor quality (COPQ), and deliver actionable business insights through advanced analytics and reporting. The Quality Management Systems Lead partners with cross-functional teams to align quality objectives with organizational goals and regulatory standards Analytical & Problem Solving - Apply structured thinking and data-driven analysis to optimize systems and processes. Leadership & Collaboration - Inspires teams, fosters accountability, and builds strong cross-functional relationships. Strategic & Business Acumen - Aligns quality systems with organizational goals and cost-effectiveness. Communication - Clearly conveys insights and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels. Project & Task Management - Demonstrates strong organizational and planning skills to manage process improvements. Ensures timely execution, resource coordination, and effective communication across stakeholders to achieve compliance and closure.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or related field
5+ years of experience in quality systems management.
Proven expertise in ISO 9001 implementation and certification processes.
Strong knowledge of QMS principles, internal auditing, and corrective action management.
Experience in business process governance, cost analysis and working capital improvements related to quality.
Proficiency in data analytics and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification
ASQ Certification (CQA, CMQ/OE) or equivalent.
Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt or higher.
Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and leveraging analytics tools such as Power BI or AI-driven platforms to support data-informed quality decisions.
Familiarity with digital quality tools, automation, and data visualization platforms.
Experience in transportation, industrial, or safety-critical sectors.

Responsibilities

Maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and other applicable standards (e.g FMVSS, customer-specific requirements, regulatory).
Ensure alignment with corporate-level (Transit) processes by assessing local procedures, identifying gaps, and tracking compliance activities to maintain consistency across the organization.
Collaborate with functional leaders to document, control, and align processes with QMS requirements.
Drive cross-functional initiatives to optimize business processes for efficiency, quality, and compliance across the organization.
Lead projects to deploy and optimize quality-related software platforms (e.g., QMS software, document control systems, process management approvals and workflow).
Ensure integration with existing business systems and alignment with organizational needs.
Identify and execute opportunities for automation and digital transformation of quality processes using advanced tools (e.g., workflow automation, AI-driven analytics).
Drive adoption and change management across the organization.
Partner with Transit Supplier Quality Engineering teams to ensure timely resolution of supplier complaints and corrective actions and ensure site compliance with established corporate procedures.
Act as site liaison and assist in monitoring supplier performance metrics and escalating systemic issues.
Develop and implement strategies to measure, monitor, and reduce COPQ across operations and supply chain.
Utilize advanced analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, AI-driven platforms) to provide actionable insights into quality performance, trends, and risks.
Present findings to senior leadership to support data-driven decision-making.
Design and deliver training programs on ISO 9001 requirements, QMS processes, auditing best practices, and quality tools to build organizational competencies.
Plan, prioritize, and coordinate corrective actions resulting from internal audits, ensuring timely closure and compliance with QMS requirements.
Act as project manager for quality system initiatives, including planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
Deliver projects on time and within budget.