Director of Quality: Top Recruiters in Rockford, Illinois
The Rockford Advanced Manufacturing Market
Rockford's manufacturing heritage runs deep. The city is known for precision machining, aerospace components, and cutting tools, with Illinois Tool Works and Woodward Inc. anchoring a market of exceptional manufacturing engineering talent.
About This Role
The Director of Quality leads quality management operations at a facility or business unit level, ensuring products meet customer specifications, quality certifications are maintained, and systemic quality improvement initiatives drive down defects and cost of poor quality. This director manages quality engineering, inspection, and supplier quality functions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead quality management function for a manufacturing site or business unit, managing 10-50+ quality professionals
- Own site quality metrics including customer PPM, internal defect rates, warranty performance, and audit results
- Manage quality engineering team responsible for FMEA, control plans, inspection planning, and corrective actions
- Lead customer quality relationships, manage quality audits, and resolve customer complaints through 8D methodology
- Oversee internal audit program and ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 9001 or industry-specific certification
- Manage supplier quality activities including supplier audits, PPAP approvals, and supplier corrective actions
- Lead first article inspection (FAI) and new product introduction quality activities
- Deploy SPC and measurement system analysis (MSA) to ensure process controls are effective
- Develop quality workforce through training, certification programs, and quality culture initiatives
- Report quality performance to plant and divisional management with corrective action plans for gap closure
Leading Employers in Rockford
The Advanced Manufacturing talent pool in Rockford is shaped by movement between these anchor employers and their tier-one supplier base:
Required Experience & Background
- 10+ years in manufacturing quality with at least 3 years in a director or senior quality management role
- ISO 9001 Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor certification required
- CQE (ASQ) certification strongly preferred
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- Demonstrated experience managing customer quality relationships and resolving quality escapes
- Deep knowledge of AIAG core quality tools: APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, PPAP
Core Leadership Competencies
- Quality Systems Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of ISO-based QMS and industry core quality tools
- Customer Interface: Skill in managing customer quality audits, complaints, and escalations professionally
- Corrective Action Leadership: Proven ability to drive effective, sustainable root cause correction
- Data Analysis: Proficiency in quality data analysis, statistical methods, and quality metrics management
- Team Leadership: Ability to build motivated quality teams committed to continuous quality improvement
Regulatory & Compliance Context
Directors of Quality must maintain ISO 9001:2015 or industry-equivalent certifications, manage IATF 16949 customer-specific requirements for automotive suppliers, and comply with AS9100/NADCAP for aerospace. FDA-regulated manufacturing directors must maintain 21 CFR Part 820 compliance and manage FDA audit readiness.
Compensation Benchmarks for Rockford, IL
Nexoval Search Partners' Approach in Rockford
Nexoval Search Partners's dedicated Advanced Manufacturing practice maintains active relationships with the executive talent community across Rockford and the broader Illinois market. Our consultants conduct thorough market mapping of available passive and active candidates across the region's leading employers, from established industry leaders to innovative growth companies. Every engagement includes confidential outreach, rigorous competency-based assessment, and candidate presentation within 45 to 60 days of engagement launch. Nexoval Search Partners's retained search model and one-year replacement guarantee ensure every executive we place in Rockford, Illinois delivers long-term organizational value.