Quality Manager – Automotive Manufacturing

GACC Midwest is supporting an established international manufacturer in recruiting a Quality Manager for its U.S. manufacturing operation.

Our client is seeking a hands-on Quality Manager to lead day-to-day quality operations while helping prepare its U.S. manufacturing facility for the next stage of automotive growth.

The company has recently secured new automotive business and is strengthening its quality systems to meet increasing customer requirements, including preparation for IATF 16949 certification
.

Reporting directly to the President, you will take ownership of the site's Quality Management System, maintain its established ISO 9001 standards, support new automotive product launches, and lead the implementation of automotive quality processes.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a smaller manufacturing environment, where you will work closely with Production, Engineering, and leadership in both the United States and Germany.

We welcome applications from experienced Quality Managers as well as senior automotive quality professionals who are ready to take ownership of a site's quality function.

During your first year, you will focus on:

• Automotive expansion: Support the successful launch of newly awarded automotive programs and implementation of customer-specific quality requirements.
• IATF 16949 readiness: Assess the existing ISO 9001 Quality Management System, identify gaps, and help lead the facility toward IATF 16949 certification.
• Customer audits: Prepare the organization for upcoming automotive customer audits and support the resolution of identified gaps.
• Quality systems development: Strengthen Process Flows, PFMEAs, Control Plans, inspection procedures, and other automotive quality documentation.
• Operational quality: Maintain effective day-to-day quality processes while implementing new automotive requirements.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Production, and international leadership to establish sustainable quality processes.

• Lead, maintain, and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring ongoing ISO 9001 compliance.
• Drive IATF 16949 readiness activities, including gap assessments, documentation improvements, process development, and audit preparation.
• Develop, review, and maintain quality documentation, including procedures, work instructions, Process Flows, PFMEAs, Control Plans, and inspection plans.
• Apply Automotive Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Support new product introductions, production launches, and automotive customer-specific requirements.
• Coordinate internal and customer quality audits, corrective actions, and follow-up activities.
• Lead root cause analysis, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, scrap, and quality-related issues.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering, Tooling, Purchasing, and other departments to improve manufacturing quality and process controls.
• Monitor quality performance, analyze KPIs, and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Train and support employees in quality procedures, documentation, and automotive quality requirements.
• Collaborate with the German headquarters to align global quality standards with U.S. manufacturing operations and customer expectations.
• Serve as the primary local quality contact for management, customers, and external stakeholders.

We are looking for a technically strong automotive quality professional who enjoys being involved in manufacturing operations, solving problems, and building effective quality systems.

The ideal candidate combines practical knowledge of automotive quality requirements with the ability to work independently, collaborate across departments, and take ownership of a developing quality function.

• Several years of progressive quality experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949
  , including practical experience implementing, maintaining, or improving automotive quality processes.
• Hands-on experience with Automotive Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience preparing for or participating in internal, customer, or third‑party quality audits.
• Experience supporting automotive customer requirements, new product launches, or production…