Director Quality and Process Improvement
Amazinggoodwill, Great Lakes, IL, United States
Director Quality and Process Improvement
Job Category : Operations
Requisition Number : DIREC014929
Posted: December 19, 2025
Full-Time
Salary: $130,687.50 USD per year
Locations Naval Station Great Lakes Great Lakes, IL 60088, USA
Description Join Goodwill Great Lakes as the Director of Quality and Process Improvement and lead transformative initiatives that shape operational excellence across multiple locations. In this strategic leadership role, you’ll drive continuous improvement through Lean and Kaizen methodologies, oversee quality assurance and compliance, and champion change management to enhance efficiency and service delivery. You’ll have the opportunity to influence long‑term projects, develop innovative training programs, and foster a culture of excellence while collaborating with senior leaders and community partners. If you’re passionate about making a measurable impact, leading high‑level projects, and building a legacy of quality and innovation, we invite you to apply and help us advance our mission.
The Director of Quality and Process Improvement provides strategic and operational leadership for all quality assurance, process improvement, change management, Lean/Kaizen activities, contract compliance, operational training activities, and key operational projects across Goodwill Great Lakes.
Responsibility Level:
Provides strategic and operational leadership for all quality assurance, process improvement, change management, Lean/Kaizen activities, contract compliance, and operational training across the organization. The role drives continuous improvement, ensures regulatory compliance, and fosters a culture of excellence through Lean/Kaizen methodologies and quality management systems. It also manages expenses, communicates budgetary performance, and oversees data integration, operational metrics, and analysis. Projects and initiatives typically span 2‑5 years and are integrated across systems and locations.
Principal Duties
Lead strategic planning, prioritization, and activities for all quality and process improvement initiatives across multiple locations and departments. Oversee and reenergize the Kaizen culture and Lean strategy execution, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with contract and Goodwill program objectives.
Oversee the design, strategy, and execution of operational training programs to ensure staff are properly trained and processes are consistent and effective.
Identify, lead, and oversee large or special projects, develop monthly, weekly, and daily reports, analyze data and recommend changes, and provide strategic planning and direction for those activities.
Direct and oversee Great Lakes quality and continuous improvement policies, objectives, and operational initiatives, acting as a contract point with senior management and stakeholders and ensuring alignment with safety objectives and other assigned initiatives.
Collaborate with the SVP, Executive Directors, Directors, and Assistant Directors to strategize, prioritize, and drive overall operational and mission strategies.
Proactively anticipate issues, continuously improve operations in conjunction with organization-wide efforts, and assess division effectiveness to ensure business unit needs are met.
Maintain positive relationships with internal and external customers, vendors, government agencies, and community organizations.
Oversee the Quality Control Plan for the Food and Logistic Services contract, ensuring compliance with all requirements and updating the plan as needed to reflect improvements or new customer requirements.
Ensure customer service standards are met as specified in the contract by monitoring service through established methods, identifying trends, and collaborating with key staff to resolve service issues promptly.
Maintain contractual compliance using the Quality Control Plan & Food Safety Program (HACCP) to monitor contract performance and develop SOPs to standardize all aspects of operations.
Execute operations in accordance with Federal Contracting Laws and AbilityOne Program requirements.
Manage organizational design within the area of responsibility, directing talent planning, hiring, development, and training of staff; participate in succession planning discussions; network and source for positions throughout the organization.
Serve as project owner for high‑complexity, cross‑functional, or multi‑location projects and improvement initiatives, setting scope, timeline, resources, and accountability, while managing change through effective planning, communication, coaching, and leadership coalition building.
Engage community partners and link their activities to business performance.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or equivalent experience; minimum 8 years experience. Preferred qualifications include quality assurance, organizational leadership, or industrial engineering experience, or a minimum of 10 years directly related experience with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Proven track record in project management, change management, quality assurance, and/or strategic planning.
Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Six Sigma Black Belt certification strongly preferred, or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analytics tools.
Ability to manage ambiguity, drive change, and deliver results under pressure.
Required to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC) within 90 days of hire, pursuant to U.S. Navy security guidelines. Inability to obtain the CAC may result in removal and/or termination.
REAL‑ID compliant driver’s license or identification card required for access to the naval installation and employment; proof of identification must be provided.
Leadership Competencies
Business Insight: Demonstrates thorough business/industry knowledge and synthesizes information to respond to changing market dynamics effectively; monitors external factors and policies that may affect the organization and uses knowledge to plan work and guide decisions.
Courage: Fosters a culture that supports well‑reasoned risk‑taking, advocates appropriate decisions for the organization's good, confronts inconsistent actions, and leads through high‑stakes situations, crises, or uncertainty.
Core Cultural Competencies
Customer Focus: Cultivates a customer‑service‑focused environment, creates urgency, and ensures resources are directed to meet customer needs.
Values Differences: Creates an environment where all people feel valued, encourages diversity and inclusion, mentors individuals from diverse backgrounds, and applies cultural understanding to achieve business goals.
Communicates Effectively: Promotes open information flow, demonstrates candor, facilitates constructive dialogue, and cascades information to diverse audiences at all levels.
Situational Adaptability: Shows flexibility in a competitive environment, initiates change in response to external cues, and adapts leadership style to varied situations, embedding flexibility within organizational structures and culture.
Drives Results: Drives performance that directly impacts business outcomes, pushes forward under challenging circumstances, and removes obstacles to success.
Ensures Accountability: Holds the organization accountable for commitments, sets and monitors goals aligned with strategy, and creates an environment of accountability for meeting expectations.
Physical / Sensory Demands Job requires remaining stationary for sustained periods; the ability to move about to accomplish tasks; operating a computer or similar technology, involving substantial wrist, hand, and finger motions; visual acuity for tasks such as data preparation, equipment operation, or quality review; and communication with others. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
When determining placement within the salary range, Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands, and other qualifying criteria. It is not typical for individuals to be hired at or near the top of the range; compensation decisions depend on facts and circumstances.
Certain roles are eligible to participate in an incentive plan. Participation does not guarantee an incentive payment and is subject to plan terms and conditions, which may change.
In addition to compensation, we offer a competitive benefits program that may include medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and more. Specific benefits vary by full or part‑time status, contract type, and other categories.
Equal Opportunity Employer (SEW) Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Requisition Number : DIREC014929
Posted: December 19, 2025
Full-Time
Salary: $130,687.50 USD per year
Locations Naval Station Great Lakes Great Lakes, IL 60088, USA
Description Join Goodwill Great Lakes as the Director of Quality and Process Improvement and lead transformative initiatives that shape operational excellence across multiple locations. In this strategic leadership role, you’ll drive continuous improvement through Lean and Kaizen methodologies, oversee quality assurance and compliance, and champion change management to enhance efficiency and service delivery. You’ll have the opportunity to influence long‑term projects, develop innovative training programs, and foster a culture of excellence while collaborating with senior leaders and community partners. If you’re passionate about making a measurable impact, leading high‑level projects, and building a legacy of quality and innovation, we invite you to apply and help us advance our mission.
The Director of Quality and Process Improvement provides strategic and operational leadership for all quality assurance, process improvement, change management, Lean/Kaizen activities, contract compliance, operational training activities, and key operational projects across Goodwill Great Lakes.
Responsibility Level:
Provides strategic and operational leadership for all quality assurance, process improvement, change management, Lean/Kaizen activities, contract compliance, and operational training across the organization. The role drives continuous improvement, ensures regulatory compliance, and fosters a culture of excellence through Lean/Kaizen methodologies and quality management systems. It also manages expenses, communicates budgetary performance, and oversees data integration, operational metrics, and analysis. Projects and initiatives typically span 2‑5 years and are integrated across systems and locations.
Principal Duties
Lead strategic planning, prioritization, and activities for all quality and process improvement initiatives across multiple locations and departments. Oversee and reenergize the Kaizen culture and Lean strategy execution, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with contract and Goodwill program objectives.
Oversee the design, strategy, and execution of operational training programs to ensure staff are properly trained and processes are consistent and effective.
Identify, lead, and oversee large or special projects, develop monthly, weekly, and daily reports, analyze data and recommend changes, and provide strategic planning and direction for those activities.
Direct and oversee Great Lakes quality and continuous improvement policies, objectives, and operational initiatives, acting as a contract point with senior management and stakeholders and ensuring alignment with safety objectives and other assigned initiatives.
Collaborate with the SVP, Executive Directors, Directors, and Assistant Directors to strategize, prioritize, and drive overall operational and mission strategies.
Proactively anticipate issues, continuously improve operations in conjunction with organization-wide efforts, and assess division effectiveness to ensure business unit needs are met.
Maintain positive relationships with internal and external customers, vendors, government agencies, and community organizations.
Oversee the Quality Control Plan for the Food and Logistic Services contract, ensuring compliance with all requirements and updating the plan as needed to reflect improvements or new customer requirements.
Ensure customer service standards are met as specified in the contract by monitoring service through established methods, identifying trends, and collaborating with key staff to resolve service issues promptly.
Maintain contractual compliance using the Quality Control Plan & Food Safety Program (HACCP) to monitor contract performance and develop SOPs to standardize all aspects of operations.
Execute operations in accordance with Federal Contracting Laws and AbilityOne Program requirements.
Manage organizational design within the area of responsibility, directing talent planning, hiring, development, and training of staff; participate in succession planning discussions; network and source for positions throughout the organization.
Serve as project owner for high‑complexity, cross‑functional, or multi‑location projects and improvement initiatives, setting scope, timeline, resources, and accountability, while managing change through effective planning, communication, coaching, and leadership coalition building.
Engage community partners and link their activities to business performance.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or equivalent experience; minimum 8 years experience. Preferred qualifications include quality assurance, organizational leadership, or industrial engineering experience, or a minimum of 10 years directly related experience with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Proven track record in project management, change management, quality assurance, and/or strategic planning.
Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Six Sigma Black Belt certification strongly preferred, or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analytics tools.
Ability to manage ambiguity, drive change, and deliver results under pressure.
Required to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC) within 90 days of hire, pursuant to U.S. Navy security guidelines. Inability to obtain the CAC may result in removal and/or termination.
REAL‑ID compliant driver’s license or identification card required for access to the naval installation and employment; proof of identification must be provided.
Leadership Competencies
Business Insight: Demonstrates thorough business/industry knowledge and synthesizes information to respond to changing market dynamics effectively; monitors external factors and policies that may affect the organization and uses knowledge to plan work and guide decisions.
Courage: Fosters a culture that supports well‑reasoned risk‑taking, advocates appropriate decisions for the organization's good, confronts inconsistent actions, and leads through high‑stakes situations, crises, or uncertainty.
Core Cultural Competencies
Customer Focus: Cultivates a customer‑service‑focused environment, creates urgency, and ensures resources are directed to meet customer needs.
Values Differences: Creates an environment where all people feel valued, encourages diversity and inclusion, mentors individuals from diverse backgrounds, and applies cultural understanding to achieve business goals.
Communicates Effectively: Promotes open information flow, demonstrates candor, facilitates constructive dialogue, and cascades information to diverse audiences at all levels.
Situational Adaptability: Shows flexibility in a competitive environment, initiates change in response to external cues, and adapts leadership style to varied situations, embedding flexibility within organizational structures and culture.
Drives Results: Drives performance that directly impacts business outcomes, pushes forward under challenging circumstances, and removes obstacles to success.
Ensures Accountability: Holds the organization accountable for commitments, sets and monitors goals aligned with strategy, and creates an environment of accountability for meeting expectations.
Physical / Sensory Demands Job requires remaining stationary for sustained periods; the ability to move about to accomplish tasks; operating a computer or similar technology, involving substantial wrist, hand, and finger motions; visual acuity for tasks such as data preparation, equipment operation, or quality review; and communication with others. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
When determining placement within the salary range, Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands, and other qualifying criteria. It is not typical for individuals to be hired at or near the top of the range; compensation decisions depend on facts and circumstances.
Certain roles are eligible to participate in an incentive plan. Participation does not guarantee an incentive payment and is subject to plan terms and conditions, which may change.
In addition to compensation, we offer a competitive benefits program that may include medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and more. Specific benefits vary by full or part‑time status, contract type, and other categories.
Equal Opportunity Employer (SEW) Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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