Quality Manager III - BU Quality System

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We’re a fast-growing, publicly traded company (NYSE: ZWS) with an enduring reputation for integrity, giving back, and providing an engaging, inclusive environment where careers flourish and grow. Named by Newsweek as One of America’s Most Responsible Companies and an Energage USA Top Workplace, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. Our commitment to professional development has fueled our growth for over 100 years as a leading international supplier of plumbing and water delivery solutions. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, we employ over 2,800 employees worldwide across 24 locations in the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico.

About the role

The Quality Manager – Drinking Water (DW) Business Unit leads 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. As a key member of the DW leadership team, the Quality Manager defines, implements, and maintains the DW Quality Operating Model and ensures consistent execution of quality processes across manufacturing sites.

This position is based in either Freeport, IL or Downers Grove, IL (preferred) and requires up to 50% travel between Downers Grove, IL, Lanark, IL, and Freeport, IL.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, manage, and maintain the DW Business Unit quality systems in alignment with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and ZEBS principles.
• Lead and influence plant quality leadership across DW manufacturing sites to ensure consistent execution of inspections, containment, corrective actions, and quality metrics.
• Serve as the advocate and voice of quality across the DW Business Unit, promoting a culture of prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive reductions in warranty, returns, customer complaints, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through data-driven analysis and systemic corrective actions.
• Ensure robust systems for inbound, in-process, and outbound quality controls to prevent escapes and drive issues to effective root cause resolution.
• Lead and support APQP execution for new products and process changes, including DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, and PPAP readiness.
• Partner with Product Engineering and Operations to ensure quality readiness and risk mitigation prior to product and process release.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality (Sourcing organization) on supplier-related quality issues and improvement initiatives (Supplier qualification, audits, PPAP ownership, and supplier corrective actions remain within Supplier Quality).
• Serve as the business point of contact for quality system execution and support audit readiness and regulatory compliance across DW sites.
• Establish and maintain quality review forums, performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting cadence.
• Leverage quality data, warranty trends, and customer feedback to drive analytics, root cause identification, and preventive actions.
• Promote and sustain structured problem-solving, continuous improvement, and lessons learned across Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality teams.

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.
• Lean and/or Six Sigma experience required (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.

Pay

The salary range is $106,000 - $150,000. Actual salaries may vary based on compensable factors including skillset, experience, education, training, and other relevant business and organizational factors. Most candidates will start in the lower half of the range.

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.