Quality Manager

About the role

The Quality Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing all aspects of the company’s quality program to ensure that products meet or exceed established standards and customer expectations. This role oversees quality control, quality assurance, and compliance processes, and works closely with production, engineering, and customers to support continuous improvement. The Quality Manager reports to the Vice President of Quality and leads the Quality Department staff.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain quality objectives that align with corporate policies and goals.
• Communicate and interpret quality philosophy, standards, and expectations to key personnel across the organization.
• Track and monitor performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Manage and drive the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) process.
• Develop and implement standards, procedures, and methods for inspection, testing, and evaluation of materials and products.
• Plan and oversee inspection, analysis, design, and testing to ensure compliance and quality of products and components.
• Review design documentation, vendor quality manuals, and company quality records for adherence to requirements.
• Represent the company during customer visits, audits, and presentations, both onsite and at customer locations.
• Review and analyze quality control and quality assurance data for consistency with company standards and compliance requirements.
• Keep management informed of significant quality issues, root causes, and actions being taken.
• Prepare and present technical and program-related information to the management team.
• Direct and support quality staff in inspection and testing activities to ensure continuous control over materials, facilities, and products.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of government and industry quality codes and standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO).
• Develop and deliver quality training programs for employees in coordination with department managers.
• Utilize ERP systems (PLEX preferred) to manage and support quality processes.
• Directly supervise employees in the Quality Department, including interviewing, hiring, training, assigning work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and addressing complaints and resolving problems in accordance with company policies and laws.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of quality assurance principles, inspection/testing methods, and compliance standards.
• Leadership skills to effectively manage, mentor, and develop quality staff.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis, corrective/preventive action, and continuous improvement processes.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, engineering documentation, and quality standards.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for collaboration with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Knowledge of quality systems and requirements including AS9100 and ISO14001.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (PLEX preferred) for quality and compliance management.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, management, or business required.
• Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in quality assurance engineering or management.
• At least five (5) years of management/supervisory experience required.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification, reference checks and controlled substance testing.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Manager (CQM).
• Aerospace or defense industry quality experience.
• Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.

Skills

• Strong understanding of quality assurance principles, inspection/testing methods, and compliance standards.
• Leadership skills to effectively manage, mentor, and develop quality staff.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis, corrective/preventive action, and continuous improvement processes.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, engineering documentation, and quality standards.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for collaboration with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Knowledge of quality systems and requirements including AS9100 and ISO14001.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (PLEX preferred) for quality and compliance management.