Quality Manager - Automotive Manufacturing

German American Chambers of Commerce•Chicago, IL

5d•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

GACC Midwest is supporting an established international manufacturer with the recruitment of a Quality Manager for its U.S. operation. Our client is looking for a hands-on automotive quality professional who is excited by the opportunity to take on broader ownership and help build the quality systems supporting a growing automotive business. The company has recently secured new automotive programs and is strengthening its U.S. quality organization as it expands into the automotive market. In this role, you will take ownership of the site’s Quality Management System, help lead the organization toward IATF 16949 certification, support the launch of newly awarded automotive business, and prepare the operation for upcoming customer audits. Reporting directly to the President and working closely with colleagues in both the United States and Germany, this position offers significant visibility and the opportunity to shape how automotive quality processes are implemented and embedded throughout the U.S. operation. This opportunity may be particularly attractive to an experienced Senior Quality Engineer, Quality Systems Engineer, Assistant Quality Manager, or current Quality Manager who is ready to take the next step into broader quality leadership and ownership. Your initial focus will include: Support the successful launch of newly awarded automotive business. Help lead the U.S. operation toward IATF 16949 certification, building upon its established ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Prepare the organization for upcoming automotive customer audits. Strengthen automotive quality processes, documentation, and Core Tools throughout the operation. Partner with U.S. and German leadership to adapt existing quality standards and processes to the needs of the U.S. operation and its automotive customers. These initiatives will play an important role in the company’s continued expansion into the automotive market and provide an opportunity to make a visible impact on the organization’s future quality structure.

Requirements

Several years of progressive quality experience within an automotive manufacturing environment
Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949 and experience working within an IATF-certified manufacturing environment
Hands-on experience with Automotive Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans
Experience preparing for or participating in internal, customer, or third-party quality audits
Experience supporting automotive product launches, customer requirements, or production quality
Working knowledge of ISO 9001
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and quality documentation
Strong root cause analysis and structured problem-solving capabilities
Ability to work cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Engineering, Production, Purchasing, and other operational teams
Interest in taking ownership of a growing automotive quality function

Nice To Haves

Direct participation in an IATF 16949 implementation, certification, recertification, gap assessment, or audit-readiness initiative
Previous quality leadership, supervisory, or project-lead experience
Experience in precision metal stamping, deep drawing, transfer press, metal forming, tool & die, or similar manufacturing processes
Experience supporting automotive customer audits and customer-specific requirements
Spanish language skills are beneficial due to employee training responsibilities
Experience working within an international manufacturing organization

Responsibilities

Lead and continuously improve the site’s Quality Management System (QMS)
Play a leading role in preparing the U.S. operation for IATF 16949 certification while maintaining ISO 9001 compliance
Develop and maintain quality documentation, including procedures, work instructions, Control Plans, inspection plans, and training materials
Coordinate customer audit preparation and support automotive customer visits and quality requirements
Apply and strengthen Automotive Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans
Support new product launches and ensure customer-specific requirements are effectively implemented
Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Tooling, Purchasing, Production, and other operational teams to establish robust quality processes
Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions using structured problem-solving methodologies
Support the standardization of quality processes while adapting global standards to U.S. customer and operational requirements
Train and coach employees on quality systems, processes, and documentation
Monitor quality performance through KPIs and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
Work closely with the German headquarters while serving as the primary local quality leader for the U.S. operation