Quality Manager III - BU Quality System

Job Summary

The Quality Manager – Drinking Water (DW) Business Unit is responsible for leading all aspects of quality performance across the DW Business Unit, including plant quality, customer quality, warranty and returns, and product launch readiness. This role drives continuous improvement and prevention of repeat quality issues through disciplined execution of quality systems, APQP, and structured problem-solving, aligned with Zurn Elkay Business System (ZEBS), Lean Six Sigma, and Quality Management principles.

This role partners closely with Product Engineering, Operations, Product Compliance, Customer-facing teams, and Supplier Quality to deliver reliable, compliant, and high-quality products while reducing Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) and improving customer experience. This Position Is Based In One Of The Following Two Areas, And Requires Up To 50% Travel Between Downers Grove, IL, Lanark, IL, And Freeport, IL Freeport, ILDowners Grove, IL (preferred)

Key Focus Areas

• Develops, implements, manages, and maintains the DW Business Unit quality systems in alignment with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and ZEBS principles
• Leads and influences plant quality leadership across DW manufacturing sites to ensure consistent execution of inspections, containment, corrective actions, and quality metrics
• Serves as the advocate and voice of quality across the DW Business Unit, promoting a culture of prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Drives reductions in warranty, returns, customer complaints, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through data-driven analysis and systemic corrective actions
• Ensures robust systems for inbound, in-process, and outbound quality controls to prevent escapes and drive issues to effective root cause resolution
• Supports APQP execution for new products and process changes, including DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, and PPAP readiness
• Collaborates with Product Engineering and Operations to ensure quality readiness and risk mitigation prior to product and process release
• Serves as the business point of contact for quality system execution and support audit readiness and regulatory compliance across DW sites
• Establishes and maintains quality review forums, performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting cadence
• Leverages quality data, warranty trends, and customer feedback to drive analytics, root cause identification, and preventive actions
• Promotes and sustains structured problem-solving, continuous improvement, and lessons learned across Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality teams

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or related Engineering discipline required
• 10 or more years of experience in quality systems, plant quality, customer quality, or manufacturing quality roles
• Demonstrated expertise in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), including DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, and PPAP readiness
• Experience supporting new product launches and manufacturing or process transitions
• Strong root cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement capability
• Leverage Lean and/or Six Sigma experience (Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred)
• Experience in high-mix manufacturing, assembly operations, or regulated products preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills

Total Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
• Matching 401(k) Contribution
• Health Savings Account
• Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure)
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Annual Bonus Eligibility
• Educational Reimbursement
• Matching Gift Program
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan – purchase company stock at a discount!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Zurn Elkay is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.