Quality Control Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Quality Control Specialist jobs in Illinois are consistently active across manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and medical device production, with openings at every level from entry-level inspector to senior QC manager. Chicago, Rockford, and the Peoria metro are the primary hiring centers, home to long-established employers such as Abbott Laboratories, Caterpillar, and Kraft Heinz. The most in-demand specialties are pharmaceutical compliance, ISO-certified manufacturing audits, and food safety inspection. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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- General Summary:
Under general supervision, oversees the quality control operations during the designated shift which includes maintaining the overall plant quality system plus daily job assignments. Directs Team Leaders and other Team Members in assigned manufacturing area in the execution of the group's responsibilities. Manages group (manufacturing line, cells, or area) as an operational unit and responsible to accomplish company goals and targets in accordance with all company policies, manufacturing standards and methods, and quality standards for safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale.
- Essential Job Functions:
General
- Function as a first-line supervisor over team leaders and team members.
- Plan and coordinate hiring and placement of team members with his/her Assistant Manager. Monitor and track staffing conditions, work hours and overtime, job rotation, and absenteeism.
- Understand, execute, and ensure consistent compliance with all company rules, policies, and practices, and takes appropriate corrective action when warranted, in accordance with the terms of the Team Member Handbook.
- Responsible for managing and appraising team member job performance and recommending corrective action.
- Develop and maintains positive team member relations centered on mutual trust, dignity, respect, fairness, consistency, two-way communication, teamwork, and harmony.
- Provide direction and motivation to team members emphasizing safety, quality, efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and morale.
- Responsible for leading and maintaining the manufacturing and production system of assigned area, accomplishing department hoshin goals, and keeping on task with targets and implementation schedule.
- Utilize Toyota Production System (TPS) techniques to standardize current/new processes and methods, reduce process variation, identify waste, and methodically eliminate waste.
- Develop standardized work procedures by designing and/or documenting the best work sequence for each process.
- Direct the work of Team Leaders and Team Members by assigning/re-assigning work stationing and analyze production requirements based on current work situation and production schedules.
- Direct floor activities through consistent application of Toyota Boshoku Business Practices (TBBP) to ensure all aspects of manufacturing are effective and correct sub-standard situations.
- Perform the essential job functions of team leaders or team members as necessary to maintain efficient, stable, and continuous operations.
- Utilize knowledge and skills to maintain the highest level of quality and efficiency possible.
- Monitor the flow of parts, materials, productivity, and quality including kanbans and inventory levels; take corrective action as needed.
- Ensure quality goals and standards are met and know how to use the quality feedback loops and systems and escalation procedures. Confirm that team members use the quality systems correctly.
- Partner with the Quality department to initiate investigation and containment activities.
- Troubleshoot daily quality, safety, and production issues.
- Identify potential and current change points and make the required adjustments need to ensure quality, safety, operational availability, production efficiency (PEFF), and cost are maintained.
- Be proactive in predicting abnormalities and finding innovative solutions to correct.
- Evaluate and analyze problems involving machinery and equipment and coordinates repair of tools and machinery. Participate in frequent evaluation of machines, tools, equipment, etc.
- Lead continuous improvement activity for assigned area.
- Participate in the setting of Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets including safety, quality, operational availability, PEFF, scrap, etc. as a method of continuous improvement.
- Maintain, monitor, and update department and KPI board and graphs, daily, and initiate continuous improvement activities.
- Initiate, coordinate, and participate in safety, quality, productivity, and cost improvement projects.
- Lead the implementation of team members' ideas and suggestions and management directed initiatives.
- Maintain a safe working environment for all team members.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements, and company safety policies and procedures.
- Lead, perform, and/or participate in ergonomic exercises, 5S housekeeping, accident investigation, and safety audits and related activities.
- Lead ergonomic assessments of team member work stations and implement countermeasures and job rotation to improve long-term safe working conditions and team member well-being.
- Maintain knowledge of procedures concerning Hazardous Waste, Spill Response, and Plant Security.
- Monitor safety and health of team members to ensure their well-being.
- Train and coach team members to maintain productivity and quality standards, in TS19649, ISO 14001, environmental, safety, quality, job performance, setups, trouble shooting, and continuous improvement.
- Orientate and oversee all training of team members and assign experienced and/or certified trainers to perform new team member training and cross training as needed.
- Maintain training matrix for team leaders and/or team members, assuring training is effective and corrects sub-standard performance.
- Maintain, plan, and prepare department instruction manuals.
- Ensure further development of team members through performance evaluation, development of training plans, feedback, coaching, and cascade training.
- Collect, record, and analyze information while maintaining documentation regarding the activities in the assigned area as defined by company policy, procedure, or practice.
- Prepare business reports and spread sheets of required data.
- Maintain specified records, files and logs of department/shift activities such as production, production problems, parts shortages, scrap, quality, maintenance, etc. (manual and computer) as required. Perform other various administrative duties.
- Monitor and maintain team member time, attendance, and training records.
- Communicate frequently with internal contacts on various issues.
- Through daily communication meetings, keep team members informed on issues relevant to them and encourage two-way communication.
- Maintain daily and/or frequent communication with upstream and downstream groups/areas and support departments to ensure efficient and stable operations in a team-based environment.
- Coordinate communications between shifts for assigned area(s).
- Support the Quality Manager and overall plant quality system.
- Establish and maintain quality standards that meet or exceed customer requirements.
- Communicate customer or supplier quality issues to manufacturing, production control, and quality control departments.
- Initiate effective containment and investigation activities to prevent further quality problem/defect outflow in-house and to customer.
- Effectively communicate with customers and/or suppliers to resolve quality problems.
- Investigate and countermeasure internal quality defects to improve plant processes.
- Ensure proper quality processes and procedures are followed and maintained plant wide.
- Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
- Associate's degree required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Minimum three years of relevant manufacturing experience required.
- Automotive industry experience preferred with parts production, quality, or production control experience a plus.
- Minimum two years of leadership or supervisory experience required.
- Working knowledge and experience with TPS and Production Efficiency (PEFF) system preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job functions of a leadership role.
- General understanding and practical work experience with automotive quality systems and processes.
- General understanding and working knowledge of inspection standards and check fixtures.
- Must be able to work a fixed or rotating shift schedule, including daily or weekend overtime.
- Thorough understanding of company product, trade terminology, quality management and control systems and techniques, manufacturing processes including material controls, work flow, scheduling, kanban, machine operation, and company policies as standards.
- Basic math and analytical skills.
- Ability to effectively facilitate problem solving and resolution.
- Ability work with a dynamic team and demanding customer(s).
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural work environment.
- Ability to work with multiple departments and prioritize activities.
- Ability to read instruction manuals, blue prints, and specifications.
- Ability to plan, supervise, and perform functions of assigned areas.
- Ability to maintain on call flexibility to control abnormal conditions.
- Ability to be flexible in a constantly changing production environment.
- Active listener with effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Must be able to multi-task, handle diversity, and provide leadership through problem resolution.
- Ability to communicate and work well with all levels of the organization in a team environment.
- Ability to adapt available skills and equipment to respond to unforeseen demands and/or problems.
- Ability to implement plans to control and maintain safety, quality, 5S, cost, and efficiency for assigned areas.
- Strong organization, time management, and planning skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
- Ability to teach team leaders and team members in basic fundamental skills and facilitate Job Instruction Training (JIT).
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Previous experience working with integrated computer programs and/or applications. ERP System experience (e.g., Oracle) preferred.
- Solid working knowledge and demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Lotus Notes/Outlook, Internet, etc.).
- Forklift, tugger, and truck usage, and pass certification.
- Overhead crane operation.
- Cross training for leading other plant support departments.
- RCRA and DOT hazardous waste requirements, and pass certification. Computer-based software, applications, and systems (e.g., Oracle, Kronos, Future 3, etc.).
- Work Environment/Conditions:
- Standard automotive plant environment with moderate noise level.
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as safety glasses, steel toe shoes, Kevlar sleeves, hearing protection, etc. may be required in designated engineering, manufacturing, or industrial areas. Personal attire standards may apply.
- Involves moderate or occasional presence of some slightly disagreeable conditions, i.e., cold, dust, heat, odor, etc.
- Physical Demands:
Disclaimer: This job description is intended to identify the general nature and level of work performed by team members within this classification, as well as certain essential job functions. It is not intended, and should not be interpreted, as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of team members assigned to this job. To qualify for this job, however, a team member must be able to perform its essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Under no circumstances may this job description be construed as altering the at-will nature of the employment relationship between TBA and any team member.
Shift: Evening
Req Benefits: Benefits include but are not limited to: - Competitive Compensation - Eligibility for certain incentives and bonuses (e.g. Production Hourly KPI Achievement Quarterly Incentive or Salaried/Office Hourly KPI Annual KPI Achievement Bonus) - Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays - Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits - 401k with Company Match - Optional tax advantaged accounts, such as Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSA) - Additional elective benefits are available - Equal Opportunity Employer Pay Transparency In order to support the Fair Compensation Strategy by the US Govt., HR Dept., clients are required to adhere to "Pay Transparency Law"; in the impacted states; that have mandated the employers to list the salary ranges in Job advertisements or postings for job opportunities and Job promotions.
See All 68 Quality Control Specialist Jobs in Illinois
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Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quality Control Specialist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Science & Research
- Chemicals & Materials
- Staffing & Recruiting
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in quality control specialist jobs across Illinois.
- Experience with ISO 9001 or GMP quality systems in a manufacturing environment
- Bachelor's degree or associate degree in a technical, scientific, or engineering field
- Proficiency with inspection tools including calipers, micrometers, and coordinate measuring machines
- Familiarity with FDA regulations and documentation practices for food or pharmaceutical products
- Certified Quality Inspector or Certified Quality Technician credential from ASQ preferred
- Strong attention to detail with demonstrated ability to write nonconformance and corrective action reports
Quality Control Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quality control specialist in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers hire quality control specialists who hold at least an associate degree in a technical or scientific field, though a bachelor's degree is increasingly expected in pharmaceutical and medical device settings. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for the role, but earning the Certified Quality Inspector or Certified Quality Technician credential through the American Society for Quality strengthens most applications significantly. Candidates pursuing food safety roles often benefit from a HACCP certification recognized by Illinois Department of Agriculture-regulated facilities.
How much do quality control specialists make in Illinois?
Quality control specialists in Illinois earn a median of about $47,920 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $36,220 for the lowest 10% to over $75,030 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire quality control specialists in Illinois?
Employers hiring quality control specialists in Illinois right now include Honeywell, Solesence, and JPMorganChase, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers, food processors, and heavy equipment producers means demand is steady across both the Chicago metro and downstate industrial corridors.
Which Illinois cities have the most quality control specialist jobs?
The cities with the most quality control specialist openings in Illinois are Chicago, Romeoville, and Bolingbrook. Chicago drives the largest share of demand through its pharmaceutical, food manufacturing, and medical device sectors, while Rockford and Peoria contribute heavily because of their deep roots in precision manufacturing and heavy equipment production anchored by large employers in those corridors.
Are there remote quality control specialist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Quality control specialist work is largely hands-on and tied to production floors, laboratories, or manufacturing sites, which limits how much of the role can move off-site. About 15% of quality control specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be documentation-heavy positions such as quality systems auditing, supplier quality management, or regulatory affairs coordination.
How can I get hired as a quality control specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a quality inspector or production technician role at a mid-size Illinois manufacturer and building hands-on inspection experience from there. Large Illinois food and beverage processors often hire entry-level quality associates with no prior QC background, provided candidates hold a food science or biology degree or a HACCP certification. Completing an ASQ-affiliated student chapter program at an Illinois university, or lateraling from a production operator or lab technician position, also opens the door consistently.
Where can I find and apply to quality control specialist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to quality control specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employer through each listing.
See All 68 Quality Control Specialist Jobs in Illinois
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