Quality Assurance Manager - Metal Plating

Location: Avtec Finishing – New Hope, MN | Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt | 40–45 hours per week plus additional hours as required.

About the role

We are an established metal-finishing processor serving demanding industries, including aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial markets. We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager who can lead our quality team, maintain our Quality Management System (QMS), and ensure compliance with customer specifications and applicable industry requirements. Experience with Nadcap accreditation, ISO quality systems, and ITAR-controlled operations is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader who understands that quality starts on the production floor, not just behind a desk.

Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, train, and develop quality assurance personnel.
• Establish clear performance expectations and promote accountability.
• Build a culture where employees understand and take ownership of quality.
• Partner with Production and other departments to resolve quality concerns.

Quality Systems & Regulatory Compliance

• Manage and continuously improve the Company's Quality Management System.
• Maintain quality manuals, procedures, records, and specification libraries.
• Support and maintain Nadcap and ISO accreditation requirements.
• Conduct internal quality audits and coordinate customer audits.
• Ensure applicable customer specifications and regulatory requirements are met.
• Support compliance with applicable ITAR requirements.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Investigate nonconformances and customer quality concerns.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts.
• Manage the Corrective Action System and support Material Review Board activities.
• Analyze Cost of Quality and identify opportunities to reduce defects, rework, and waste.
• Monitor corrective action effectiveness and prevent recurring issues.

Technical & Customer Responsibilities

• Interpret customer specifications, drawings, and technical requirements.
• Oversee inspection, testing, equipment calibration, and related documentation.
• Review and certify plating processes when required.
• Communicate professionally with customers regarding quality concerns and resolutions.
• Support contract reviews and technical questions involving specifications.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Previous supervisory or management experience in quality assurance.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining and improving a Quality Management System.
• Working knowledge of quality audits, corrective actions, root cause analysis, and document control.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, blueprints, and customer requirements.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic quality records.
• Ability to make sound decisions, manage competing priorities, and hold others accountable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quality Assurance, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of quality management experience.
• Quality assurance experience in metal finishing, plating, aerospace, or defense manufacturing.
• Direct experience with Nadcap accreditation and audit preparation.
• Familiarity with ISO quality management standards.
• Knowledge of ITAR requirements and controlled technical information.
• Quality-related certifications or Certified Electro Finisher (CEF) credentials.

Benefits

• Medical and other available insurance benefits
• Employer-paid NICE Healthcare services
• 401(k) with Company matching
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on quality, customer satisfaction, and operational performance

Pay

• Annual Base Salary: $95,014.40 – $119,995.20
• Quarterly Profit Sharing: Potential to earn up to $4,800 annually (based on Company performance and program eligibility, not guaranteed)
• New-Hire Signing Bonus: $3,000 for eligible new hires (eligibility and payment terms apply)

Schedule

Full-Time, 40–45 hours per week with additional hours as required. Salaried, exempt position.

Work Environment

This position combines office-based responsibilities with regular involvement in active industrial production areas. The successful candidate must be comfortable working with production personnel, addressing quality problems at their source, and maintaining high standards in an environment involving industrial equipment, chemicals, and metal-finishing operations.