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Wabtec Corporation · 9 hours ago

Quality Management Systems Lead

Buffalo Grove, IL

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$77K/yr - $110K/yr

5+ years exp

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment and digital solutions for the freight and transit rail sectors. They are seeking a Quality Management Systems Lead responsible for driving compliance with ISO 9001 requirements, optimizing quality systems, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align quality objectives with organizational goals.

Railroad Manufacture

No H1B

Responsibilities

The Quality Management Systems Lead is responsible for driving compliance with ISO 9001 requirements and driving excellence and optimization in quality systems across the organization

This role oversees all activities related to maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS), including internal audits, management reviews, corrective actions, and certification readiness

In addition, the position leads efforts to optimize business processes, reduce the cost of poor quality (COPQ), and deliver actionable business insights through advanced analytics and reporting

The Quality Management Systems Lead partners with cross-functional teams to align quality objectives with organizational goals and regulatory standards

Analytical & Problem Solving - Apply structured thinking and data-driven analysis to optimize systems and processes

Leadership & Collaboration - Inspires teams, fosters accountability, and builds strong cross-functional relationships

Strategic & Business Acumen - Aligns quality systems with organizational goals and cost-effectiveness

Communication - Clearly conveys insights and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels

Project & Task Management - Demonstrates strong organizational and planning skills to manage process improvements

Ensures timely execution, resource coordination, and effective communication across stakeholders to achieve compliance and closure

Maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and other applicable standards (e.g FMVSS, customer-specific requirements, regulatory)

Ensure alignment with corporate-level (Transit) processes by assessing local procedures, identifying gaps, and tracking compliance activities to maintain consistency across the organization

Collaborate with functional leaders to document, control, and align processes with QMS requirements

Drive cross-functional initiatives to optimize business processes for efficiency, quality, and compliance across the organization

Lead projects to deploy and optimize quality-related software platforms (e.g., QMS software, document control systems, process management approvals and workflow). Ensure integration with existing business systems and alignment with organizational needs

Identify and execute opportunities for automation and digital transformation of quality processes using advanced tools (e.g., workflow automation, AI-driven analytics). Drive adoption and change management across the organization

Partner with Transit Supplier Quality Engineering teams to ensure timely resolution of supplier complaints and corrective actions and ensure site compliance with established corporate procedures

Act as site liaison and assist in monitoring supplier performance metrics and escalating systemic issues

Develop and implement strategies to measure, monitor, and reduce COPQ across operations and supply chain

Utilize advanced analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, AI-driven platforms) to provide actionable insights into quality performance, trends, and risks

Present findings to senior leadership to support data-driven decision-making

Design and deliver training programs on ISO 9001 requirements, QMS processes, auditing best practices, and quality tools to build organizational competencies

Plan, prioritize, and coordinate corrective actions resulting from internal audits, ensuring timely closure and compliance with QMS requirements

Act as project manager for quality system initiatives, including planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Deliver projects on time and within budget

Qualification

ISO 9001 implementationQuality Management System (QMS)Data analytics toolsProject managementInternal auditingLean Six SigmaBusiness process governanceERP systemsLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationProblem solving

Required

Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, or related field; 5+ years of experience in quality systems management

Proven expertise in ISO 9001 implementation and certification processes

Strong knowledge of QMS principles, internal auditing, and corrective action management

Experience in business process governance, cost analysis and working capital improvements related to quality

Proficiency in data analytics and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar)

Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification

ASQ Certification (CQA, CMQ/OE) or equivalent

Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt or higher

Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and leveraging analytics tools such as Power BI or AI-driven platforms to support data-informed quality decisions

Familiarity with digital quality tools, automation, and data visualization platforms

Experience in transportation, industrial, or safety-critical sectors