Lead Quality Assurance Analyst - 90198217 - Chicago

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Job Summary

The Lead Quality Assurance Analyst performs independent assessments, analyses, and evaluations to confirm compliance with the Mechanical Department’s Quality Management System, RSE Equipment Engineering requirements, and all applicable regulatory standards.

Serving as a First Line Leader, this role provides day-to-day guidance, technical direction, and mentorship to Quality Assurance Analysts, promoting professional development and ensuring consistent, standardized inspection and evaluation practices.

The Lead Analyst supports the collection, organization, and analysis of quality and performance data to identify trends and areas of risk. This position requires a high degree of objectivity and sound judgment, applying effective observation, data analysis, and interview techniques to determine compliance or non-compliance, while identifying equipment focus areas to enhance reliability and overall system performance. 

Essential Functions

• Collect, analyze, and convert quality and performance data into clear, actionable outputs that support team deployment, prioritization, and management decision-making.
• Identify high-risk or high-impact focus areas requiring detailed analytical review to direct Quality Assurance activities and improve procedural and production effectiveness.
• Develop and provide recommendations to strengthen standards, methodologies, and quality processes to ensure compliance and enhance operational performance.
• Review and validate completed datasets to confirm accuracy, completeness, and data integrity prior to use or reporting.
• Analyze performance data to identify systemic trends, define problems, establish factual baselines, and draw valid conclusions that support corrective actions and process improvements. 
• Present findings clearly and professionally, and effectively respond to questions from Quality Assurance personnel, facility management, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a liaison between Quality Assurance Analysts and Senior Quality Assurance, coordinating the identification, documentation, and submission of material issues through the VPT process and ensuring timely communication of findings to the Quality Team.
• Coordinate with internal regulatory and compliance partners to support adherence to applicable federal, state, and local environmental and food safety regulations, including EPA and FDA requirements.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report compliance with sanitation and food-handling requirements for rolling stock serviced at mechanical facilities.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and training support to newly assigned Quality Assurance team members to promote consistency and competency. 
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of quality, compliance, and operational objectives. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. 
• Plus 4 years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. 
• Plus 8 years of relevant work experience.
• ISO and/or AAR Lead Auditor certification
• Extensive experience and working knowledge of applicable FRA, FDA, and EPA regulations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Access and Microsoft Project.
• Demonstrated experience and working knowledge of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and AAR M-1003 quality system criteria. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership experience in a quality-related role, such as auditor, inspector, manager, or quality trainer, with exposure to ISO,