What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Manager III - BU Quality System position at elkay?
Quality Manager III - BU Quality System The Company 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, at Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. They are the driving force behind our superior quality, product ingenuity, and exceptional customer experience. Our commitment to our people and their professional development is a recipe for success that has fueled our growth for over 100 years, as one of today’s leading international suppliers of plumbing and water delivery solutions. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation employs over 2800 employees worldwide, working from 24 locations across the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico, with sales offices available around the globe. We hope you’ll visit our website and learn more about Zurn Elkay at zurnelkay.com. If you’re ready to join a company where what you do makes a difference and you have pride in the work you are doing, talk to us about joining the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation family! If you are a current employee, please navigate here to apply internally. 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. 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. The 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, IL Downers Grove, IL (preferred) Reports to: Director – DW Product Engineering, Compliance & Quality Key Focus Areas Responsible for the development, implementation, management, and maintenance of 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 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 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 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! **THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Zurn Elkay, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.** Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation What happens when two remarkable sustainability leaders come together as one? A sustainability powerhouse is born, making a splash in the markets they serve and saving the planet one innovative installation at a time. In early 2022, Zurn Water Solutions Corporation, a market leader in smart, sustainable water solutions, and Elkay Manufacturing, a commercial drinking water solutions leader, agreed to combine their two exceptional firms to become a single water solutions powerhouse. Together, the combined company offers a comprehensive package of innovative, sustainable, specified, engineered water solutions and sustainable plumbing products that provide water safety, water quality, and water conservation through critical service environments, while delivering total building solutions for new construction and retrofit applications around the globe. Our innovative solutions enable customers to advance their ESG initiatives and reduce operating costs while providing students, patients, patrons, and people within public and private spaces a safe, clean environment and access to fresh, pure, potable water – the essence of life itself. What makes Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation special is our people and our culture. While playing a leading role in sustainability and water access are remarkable, what makes Zurn Elkay’s story so compelling is the alignment of the two well-respected companies with powerful legacies and a combined 224-year company history and shared values and cultures where people matter most. Sustainably inspired, the company has a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, water, and environmental stewardship, and giving back to the communities where we live, work and play. Our powerful legacy of caring and commitment is made possible by the exceptional people that embody Zurn Elkay’s values. We are looking for innovative, energetic people who want to help solve tomorrow’s challenges today. Our Total Associate Engagement core value means we work hard to ensure our associates have opportunities to grow and an inclusive culture in which to thrive. From formal training to on-the-job development and exposure to new businesses, when you join Zurn Elkay, you will join a collaborative organization that will give you opportunities to thrive and grow.