Quality Manager
Summary Of Job Responsibilities
The Quality Manager leads all quality-related activities, serving as the primary Quality Management Representative (QMR) for the Denver site. This role ensures strict compliance and recertification with IATF 16949:2016, ISO 9001:2015, and customer-specific requirements (CSRs). The manager oversees customer complaints, supplier quality, corrective/preventive actions, and drives continuous improvement using APQP, PPAP, and problem-solving methodologies to support new product development and manufacturing excellence.
Duties And Responsibilities
QMS Ownership (IATF 16949 & ISO 9001): Establish, maintain, and improve the site Quality Management System. Act as the lead auditor for internal audits and the primary contact for registrar and customer audits.
Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop the Quality Engineering/Assurance team (engineers, technicians, inspectors).
Customer Quality Interface: Act as the primary contact for customer quality complaints. Lead 8D problem-solving teams to investigate root causes, implement permanent corrective actions, and respond via customer portals (e.g., SCARs).
APQP & PPAP Leadership: Oversee the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process for new product introductions and major process changes. Ensure robust PPAP submission packages (PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC) are completed and approved before mass production.
Problem Solving: Lead Corrective Action and 8D Efforts within the business to identify and address root cause of quality issues and problems.
Supplier Quality Management: Manage supplier performance through audits, incoming inspection monitoring, and supplier corrective action requests (SCAR).
Operational Excellence & Technical Guidance: Drive continuous improvement using Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma tools. Monitor key quality metrics (COPQ, FPY) to identify trends and reduce scrap/rework.
Continuous Improvement: Champion Quality Engineering continuous improvement through monitoring, reporting and improving the following KPIs.
Customer Concerns Reduction (Cases/Month): Reduce or maintain incoming customer complaints below targets.
Corrective Action Aging: Reduce average time to close customer 8D corrective actions year over year.
Audit Non-Conformance Rate: Achieve zero major non-conformances in the annual IATF 16949 surveillance audit.
Actively model IDEX values: Team, Trust, and Excellence.
Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field, required.
5 - 7+ years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, with at least 3 years experience in a management role, required.
IATF 16949:2016 Lead Auditor Certification, preferred.
Deep expertise in Automotive Core Tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, and SPC.
Proven experience in root cause analysis (RCCM) using 8D, 5 Why, and Ishikawa tools.
Strong knowledge of ISO 9001:2015.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Manager (CMQ/OE).
Experience with MRP/ERP systems (JDE preferred).
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and represent quality at the management level.