Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager

This is a full-time, exempt position. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, first shift.

About the role

Altorfer Power Systems, a leading Caterpillar dealership, is seeking a Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager for its Packaging division. The Packaging division builds generator set packages and other power products, including fuel tank bases, enclosures, and control panels. This role provides strategic leadership for the division's Quality Management System and Continuous Improvement initiatives across both Data Center and Refurbishment operations.

The Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for developing and sustaining a culture of operational excellence by ensuring exceptional product quality, driving process improvements, enhancing supplier performance, and leading data-driven decision making. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this role partners closely with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Sales, and Operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance while ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 standards and exceeding customer expectations. This position serves as a change agent who develops people, strengthens processes, and drives continuous improvement initiatives that improve operational performance and support long-term business growth.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Recruit, coach, develop, and retain a high-performing Quality & Continuous Improvement team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
  • Establish departmental objectives, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with Packaging and Power Systems Division strategic goals.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop employees through regular coaching, performance management, and professional development.
  • Serve as the primary Quality & Continuous Improvement representative in cross-functional leadership discussions and customer interactions.
  • Champion a culture where quality is owned by every employee throughout the organization.
• Quality Management System (ISO 9001)
  • Lead and continually improve the Packaging Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001 requirements.
  • Ensure quality procedures, documentation, work instructions, and process controls remain effective, standardized, and audit ready.
  • Lead internal audits, management reviews, corrective actions, risk assessments, and continual improvement activities.
  • Maintain compliance with customer, regulatory, and corporate quality requirements.
  • Prepare the organization for successful customer and third-party audits.
• Product Quality & Customer Satisfaction
  • Lead initiatives that improve product quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction across all Packaging operations.
  • Oversee customer complaints, warranty issues, nonconforming product investigations, and corrective actions.
  • Ensure robust root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Whys, Fishbone, and similar tools.
  • Drive effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and verify long-term effectiveness.
  • Monitor and improve key quality metrics including First Pass Yield (FPY), Defects Per Unit (DPU), rework, scrap, warranty performance, and customer quality trends.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
  • Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives that improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
  • Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream improvements, and cross-functional improvement projects.
  • Partner with Engineering and Production to develop standardized, repeatable, and scalable manufacturing processes.
  • Identify waste, eliminate process variation, and improve manufacturing capability through data-driven improvement efforts.
  • Measure and communicate the financial impact of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supplier Quality Management
  • Develop strategic supplier quality programs that improve incoming quality and supplier performance.
  • Establish supplier quality metrics, monitor trends, and drive continuous improvement with key suppliers.
  • Lead supplier audits, qualifications, corrective actions, and performance reviews.
  • Collaborate with Supply Chain to ensure suppliers consistently meet quality, delivery, and documentation requirements.
• Data Analytics & Business Intelligence
  • Lead Packaging quality reporting, data governance, and performance analytics.
  • Develop dashboards and KPIs that provide actionable insights for leadership.
  • Utilize Power BI, Excel, ERP systems, and other business tools to identify trends and support operational decision making.
  • Ensure quality data is accurate, consistent, and readily available across the organization.
• Process Development & Risk Management
  • Partner with Engineering during new product introductions and process changes to ensure robust quality planning.
  • Evaluate manufacturing risks and implement mitigation strategies before customer impact occurs.
  • Support development of standardized work, quality plans, inspection methods, and process controls.
  • Drive continuous improvement of manufacturing processes to improve capability, repeatability, and reliability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Three or more years of progressive leadership experience in Quality, Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operations.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and implementing sustainable operational improvements.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience leading structured problem-solving and corrective action processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive business decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Manufacturing experience within heavy equipment, power systems, industrial fabrication, or related industries.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).
• Experience with supplier quality management.
• Power BI, ERP, and Quality Management System software experience.
• Experience leading successful ISO 9001 certification or surveillance audits.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave and Funeral Leave
• Paid Time Off: Prorated 80 hours of PTO + 1 Floating Holiday
• Education Assistance
• Personal Tool Insurance, and Safety Equipment Reimbursement
• Voluntary Benefits: Supplemental Insurance, Accident, Critical and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Assistance and Identity & Fraud Protection

Pay

$85,000 - $110,000 annually plus a discretionary bonus of up to 20%.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, first shift.

Work Environment

This position primarily works in an office environment. May, on a continuous basis, sit at a desk for a long period of time; intermittently answer the telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means. Some walking and lifting up to 20 lbs. may be required. There may be times when you may need to go out into the service shop, production, or warehouse area and will be required to wear appropriate safety equipment (e.g., safety glasses or side shields).