Company Overview
At Combe, we put people’s most personal personal care needs at the center of everything we do and have been operating since 1949. Ivan Combe launched the company with the idea of making products that addressed the unmet needs of consumers in categories that either didn’t yet exist, or that the big companies simply ignored.
Job Overview
NOTE: We're interviewing early because we want to find the right person. The anticipated start date is October 5, 2026. This is on-site position (not remote or hybrid)
The Quality Engineer is responsible for supporting manufacturing quality systems, supplier quality, process improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives at the Rantoul manufacturing facility. This position partners with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality to ensure products consistently meet customer, regulatory, and company quality requirements.
This position focuses on improving manufacturing processes, reducing quality risks, resolving recurring quality issues, and maintaining an effective Quality Management System. The role is intended to support a manufacturing operation and is not responsible for product design or new product development activities, except as necessary to support manufacturing transfers or process validation.
Manufacturing Quality
- Lead investigations into recurring manufacturing quality issues and partner with Operations to implement sustainable corrective actions
- Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving tools
- Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
- Analyze production trends to identify improvement opportunities
- Work and Operations to reduce scrap and improve first-pass yield
- Support new production line startups and manufacturing transfers
Supplier Quality
- Evaluate supplier quality performance
- Manage supplier corrective actions (SCARs)
- Participate in supplier audits when necessary
- Develop supplier quality scorecards
- Work with Purchasing on supplier quality improvements
Continuous Improvement
- Lead continuous improvement projects.
- Utilize Lean Manufacturing principles.
- Implement Statistical Process Control (SPC).
- Perform capability studies.
- Participate in Kaizen activities.
- Recommend process improvements that improve quality, safety, and productivity
Quality Systems
- Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System
- Lead or participate in internal audits
- Assist during customer and regulatory audits
- Maintain quality metrics and KPI dashboards.
- Review quality trends and recommend improvements.
- Assist or lead validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) as needed.
Data Analysis
- Analyze quality data.
- Develop monthly quality reports.
- Trend: Customer complaints, Scrap, Defects, CAPAs, Supplier issues, Production quality and Present findings and solutions to management.
Essential Functions
- Work with both hands and arms (shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand)
- Stretching, reaching, stooping, and bending
- Lift 15-25 lbs from floor to waist
- Alternate standing/sitting/walking throughout the day
- Must work in all areas of the plant
- Come in early or stay late when required/needed
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Introductory training on hazardous and nonhazardous waste management will be given within the first 4 months of employment/transfer, followed by annual refresher training session
- Follow established Quality systems and policies
- Follow established Safety systems and policies
- Good attendance
Skills and Abilities
- Partners closely with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Safety, QC Laboratory, Corporate Quality, R&I and Tech Transfer
- Strong analytical and systemic problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Interpret technical data and translate into improvement recommendations
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems
- Influence cross-functional teams
- Maintain a professional and courteous relationship when working with others in the organization
- Document and complete job tasks with accuracy
Experience and Knowledge
Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Quality, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical field
- 3-5 years manufacturing quality experience
- Root Cause Analysis
- CAPA
- SPC
- Lean Manufacturing
- Statistical analysis
- Supplier Quality
- Internal auditing
- Strong communication skills
Preferred
- Quality Management Systems experience in Drug Product and/or Medical Device production facility
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- FDA/cGMP experience
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) experience
- ERP experience
Pay: $85,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- What are you salary expectations?
- How many years of manufacturing quality engineering experience do you have?
- Do you have experience with FDA-regulated manufacturing, GMP or ISO quality Systems?
- Are you willing to work on-site in Rantoul, IL with no relocation assistance?
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, O-1, OPT, etc) to work legally in the United States?
Ability to Commute:
- Rantoul, IL 61866 (Required)
Work Location: In person
