Kahr Quality Manager (QUALI006595)

RBC Bearings Incorporated (NYSE: RBC/RBCP) is a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components, and essential systems for the industrial, defense, and aerospace industries. The Quality Manager at Kahr Bearings ensures products, processes, and services meet stringent aerospace, defense, and marine standards, government contracts, and customer specifications. This role reports directly to the General Manager with a functional reporting relationship to the Director of Quality.

About the role

The Quality Manager develops, implements, and maintains the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry requirements. This position leads quality assurance, quality control, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance initiatives while promoting a culture of operational excellence, product integrity, and customer satisfaction. The role aligns site-level quality objectives with corporate quality strategies, ensuring consistency across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Champion a proactive quality culture promoting accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, risk-based thinking, and quality ownership.
• Lead and manage site quality assurance, quality control, supplier quality, and quality systems to ensure compliance and customer satisfaction.
• Drive a zero-defect culture through structured problem-solving, AS9145 APQP/PPAP standards, and risk management.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop quality personnel while fostering accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and improve the QMS in accordance with AS9100, ISO 9001, customer requirements, and regulatory standards (FAA, EASA, DoD, etc.).
• Lead and oversee the Material Review Board (MRB) process for timely and compliant disposition of nonconforming material.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace, defense, marine, government, and customer contractual requirements.
• Serve as the primary quality representative during customer audits, regulatory inspections, certification audits, and management reviews.
• Establish, monitor, and report quality metrics, including customer complaints, internal defects, supplier performance, cost of poor quality, first-pass yield, and audit findings.
• Ensure effective inspection, testing, calibration, and verification processes throughout manufacturing operations.
• Develop and maintain quality procedures, work instructions, quality plans, inspection plans, and process controls.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Lean Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to advance quality performance and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to establish quality goals, strategic objectives, and improvement plans.
• Ensure compliance with export control, defense program, and customer-specific requirements.

Travel Requirement: Up to 10% travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in quality management within a regulated industry (aerospace, defense, marine).
• Experience working within AS9100, ISO 9001, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong APQP/PPAP expertise with experience leading quality planning, risk management, and process validation.
• Knowledge of structured problem-solving methodologies, including root cause analysis, 8D, and corrective action processes.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Organizational skills to marshal resources, orchestrate multiple activities, and arrange information effectively.
• Strong communication (written, verbal, visual) and interpersonal skills for a group working environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications and quality-related software systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in quality management within a regulated industry (aerospace, defense, marine).
• Knowledge of FAA Part 145 Repair Station requirements, airworthiness regulations, and maintenance documentation practices.
• Internal/Lead Auditor training or certification.
• Experience managing calibration systems and metrology laboratories.
• Knowledgeable with precision measurement equipment (calipers, micrometers, height gages, optical comparators, CMM).
• Experience with ERP and quality management systems.

Skills

• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team development capabilities.
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance, product safety, quality performance, and operational efficiency.
• Knowledge of Corrective Action methodologies, including investigation, implementation, verification, and effectiveness evaluation.
• Understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies and data-driven approaches to monitor and improve process performance.
• Experience in root cause analysis techniques and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Analytical and data interpretation skills to identify trends, assess risks, and drive informed decision-making.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Bonus platforms.
• Holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• 401k Savings & Investment Plan.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• HSA/FSA.
• Life & disability insurance.
• Accident, hospital, and critical care plans.
• Pet insurance.
• Gym & rideshare incentives.
• Legal insurance and identity theft protection.
• ½ day Fridays.

Core Values

• Integrity: Ethical, honest, credible, and accountable in all interactions.
• Respects and Values People: Encourages diversity, supports accomplishments, and builds strong relationships.
• Customer Focus: Delivers high-quality products and services on time, exceeding customer expectations.
• Teamwork: Collaborative, inclusive, and dependable with strong communication skills.
• Results Focus: Performance-driven, adaptable, and detail-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
• Continual Improvement: Innovative, problem-solving mindset with a passion for driving improvement.