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Quality Management Systems Lead
- Wabtec Corporation (Buffalo Grove, IL)
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Job Description
It’s not just about your career or job title… It’s about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it’s for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you’re in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us.
Who will you be working with?
It’s not just about your career or job title… It’s about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it’s for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you’re in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us.
How will you make a difference?
+ 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.”
What do we want to know about you?
+ 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.
What will your typical day look like?
+ 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.
What about the physical demands of the job?
+ The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
+ Lift up to 35 pounds.
+ They will be standing 100%
+ Hearing 100%
+ Pushing up to 30 pounds
+ Stooping/bending 20% of the time
+ Reaching 20%
+ Walking 25%
+ Seeing 100%
You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.
Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).
Additional Information
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $77,400-110,300. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.
What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?
At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.
If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
Who are we?
Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.
Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.
Culture powers us and the possibilities.
We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.
We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.
Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.
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