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Great Dane

Builds freight trailers and truck bodies

Quality Control Manager

Full-TimeDeadline 9/17/27
$86k - $128.9k/yr+ 401(k) Match
Senior
Bachelor's
Kewanee, IL, USA
In Person
Manufacturing Quality & TestQuality Engineering, Validation, Compliance & Quality Systems

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering; other technical degrees are accepted.
  • Five or more years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Quality management system experience with ISO and TS16949.
  • At least five years of experience in continuous improvement and/or advanced quality systems leadership, and at least two years of experience in manufacturing.
  • ASQ CQE/CQM certification.
  • Experience with built-in quality, KPI management, trailer manufacturing and assembly, AQL, inspection and testing, data capture and analysis, corrective and preventive actions, process control/statistical process control, FMEA, control plans, Gage R&R, design of experiments, stack-up and critical dimensions, GD&T, design for manufacture and assembly, design verification and validation, finite element analysis, standard work, error-proofing, SMED, TPM and OEE, 6S and visual factory, and value stream mapping.
  • Skills in data analysis and reporting, problem solving, change leadership, continuous improvement, and Lean certification.
  • Six Sigma Black Belt/MBB.
  • Advanced Excel, macros, VB tools, ERP, and JD Edward proficiency.
  • Ability to travel up to 15% for role and development needs.
  • Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including occasional standing, walking, sitting, handling objects, reaching, talking, and hearing, and close and distance vision.
Responsibilities
  • Develop a comprehensive product quality management program, including quality assurance and quality control, for the manufacturing location.
  • Collaborate with the leadership team to plan, execute, and oversee the product quality management program and continuous process improvement.
  • Define, develop, and implement short- and long-term strategies, goals, objectives, and tactics relating to quality management.
  • Develop and maintain quality KPIs, including Quality Gates, and analyze them to identify opportunities to optimize performance.
  • Use Lean Alert activities and processes to drive product quality improvements and respond to process, product, and service issues.
  • Assist with implementing Lean Manufacturing goals and strategies to improve organizational operations and processes, using Lean methodologies and tools to accomplish business objectives.
  • Develop and analyze statistical data and product/process specifications to determine current standards and establish proposed quality and reliability expectations for finished products.
  • Formulate and maintain quality assurance objectives and align them with production procedures, coordinating with other managers to maximize product reliability and minimize quality failure costs and scrap.
  • Direct team members engaged in inspection and testing to ensure continuous control over materials, facilities, and products.
  • Plan, promote, and organize training activities related to product quality and reliability.
  • Investigate and adjust customer quality concerns.
  • Collaborate with quality and engineering personnel to determine critical part features and review design manufacturability; recommend changes to customer part specifications and tolerances to support cost-effective production.
  • Provide quality engineering support to operations and ensure consistent application of quality techniques.
  • Resolve issues involving capability, tolerancing, and materials.
  • Resolve quality issues by identifying problems, examining solution options, implementing action plans, and providing resources.
  • Communicate and reinforce the company's commitment to quality improvement efforts.
  • Coordinate pre-launch production trial-run process monitoring.
  • Perform duties in accordance with quality system requirements as the voice of the company's customers.
  • Coordinate with Sales, Purchasing, Engineering, Production, and Maintenance to resolve customer complaints and concerns.
  • Serve as a key member of the Plant Senior Leadership Team, supporting achievement of Safety, Quality, delivery, and Cost targets for the manufacturing plant.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

About the company

Great Dane builds trailers and truck bodies for trucking fleets that move dry freight, temperature-sensitive goods, and open-deck loads. Its Everest refrigerated trailers support single or multiple temperature zones, while its dry vans and flatbeds cover other freight needs. Customers order equipment configured for their operations, from trailer specifications to technology integrations. The business sells trailers and truck bodies through its distribution network and supplies aftermarket parts and repair services to keep commercial equipment on the road. Great Dane was founded in 1900 and has its corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Savannah, Georgia.

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Chicago, IL

Founded

1900

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Retirement support uses two vehicles: Great Dane lists an employer-matched 401(k) and a pension plan.
  • Paid internships ease relocation costs: Great Dane supplies housing assistance for interns who require relocation support.
  • Product development continues: Great Dane launched Freedom Ultra, an aluminum flatbed with a welded main beam, in August 2026.

What critics are saying

  • Wayne's supervisor posting specifies long days: 10-hour second shifts Monday-Thursday, plus straight-time pay for Friday/Saturday overtime.
  • Wayne's supervisor listing sets qualification gates: candidates need Team Leader Academy graduation or a degree, plus satisfactory annual reviews.
  • Internships are time-limited: Great Dane requires 20-40 hours weekly for approximately 10 weeks, depending on the role.

What makes Great Dane unique

  • Connected equipment is standard: every Great Dane trailer includes FleetPulse asset tracking, with upgrade options for deeper diagnostics.
  • Refrigerated interiors include antimicrobial protection: Great Dane sells liners infused with Microban to reduce bacteria and control odors.
  • Production spans a national footprint: Great Dane operates eleven manufacturing plants across the United States.

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