Director of Quality - Tier 1 Automotive Supplier

The Director of Quality will report to the North America COO and lead a quality team of around 10-15 direct reports and a total team of 35-40. This includes Quality Managers, Supplier Quality, Auditor, Quality Customer Engineers, Quality Systems Managers, APQP and PPAP team and others.

Client Details

The Director of Quality will report to the North America COO and lead a quality team of around 10-15 direct reports and a total team of 35-40. This includes Quality Managers, Supplier Quality, Auditor, Quality Customer Engineers, Quality Systems Managers, APQP and PPAP team and others. The Director of Quality will lead the NA quality function and ensure all the facilities are meeting the organization's quality standards, and the customers' needs as well. The Director of Quality will leverage the great internal legacy knowledge while bringing in fresh ideas to drive continuous improvement and challenging the status quo.

Our client for the Director of Quality North America opportunity is a global manufacturer with strong presence in North America, Europe and Asia. They are 90% an automotive Tier 1 supplier and 10% general industrial and have just won a supplier award in Q1 2026 from one of the Big 3 OEMs. This role is located in the Chicago, Illinois suburbs. Relocation will be required.

Description

• Ensure all employees understand customer expectations related to product quality and service
• Act as the internal advocate for customer requirements and expectations
• Maintain compliance of systems with ISO 9001 and IATF standards, ensuring proper implementation throughout the organization
• Promote a process-driven approach across all functions within the company
• Support waste reduction initiatives through structured problem-solving methodologies
• Encourage identification, sharing, and adoption of best practices across facilities
• Oversee the development, maintenance, and implementation of quality management system documentation, including customer-specific requirements (CSRs)
• Drive a cultural of continuous improvement and learning across experienced tenured employees and new hires through training and knowledge sharing
• Partner with the Head of Supply Chain, Purchasing, Plant Managers to drive partnership and positive outcomes
• Lead the quality organization to ensure adherence to all QMS policies and procedures
• Ensure internal and external audits are conducted and that any identified gaps are addressed with appropriate corrective actions
• Recommend and coordinate quality-related training programs and evaluate their effectiveness
• Establish and maintain systems for tracking quality-related events, including nonconformances and corrective/preventive actions
• Facilitate departmental meetings to review and address quality-related topics
• Define and monitor key performance indicators to evaluate QMS effectiveness
• Lead regular reviews of company quality performance and communicate results through monthly reporting
• Oversee product certification processes and customer sample submissions
• Evaluate market and customer needs to enhance and refine the quality management system
• Coordinate and support customer and certification body visits to facilities
• Ensure processes are in place to identify, communicate, and fulfill both stated and implied customer quality requirements
• Manage customer quality concerns and complaints to ensure timely and effective resolution

Profile

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operations, or related
• 10 - 15 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, quality, health and safety in b2b manufacturing
• 5 years minimum of quality leadership experience
• Must have experience with industrial manufacturing, automotive industry experience highly preferred
• Experience working in a global organization working with direct leadership and in a matrix reporting structure
• Experience with SAP highly preferred, but not required
• Ability to work with all levels of management and strong customer facing skills and experience
• Proficient with all Microsoft Office application
• Business minded and strong teamwork
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• ISO9001 and IATF 16949
• Strong work ethic and high attention to detail
• Ability to travel 25-35%

Job Offer

Competitive base salary $180,000 - $215,000, bonus, car allowance, relocation assistance if needed, full benefits, 401K, vacation, holidays. Being a part of a growing and innovative company being highly visible to the North America and Global Leadership team.

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