Quality Manager

About the Role

The Quality Manager is responsible for the effectiveness and continual improvement of the organization's Quality Management System (QMS), including quality system compliance, customer quality, auditing, corrective actions, supplier quality, and continuous improvement initiatives. Success in this role is measured by the effectiveness of the QMS, customer satisfaction, audit performance, reduction of quality losses, and the organization's ability to consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements.

The Quality Manager acts as the organization's leader for quality systems and compliance, partnering with process owners and department leaders to drive accountability, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction. This role owns the effectiveness of the QMS while fostering a culture where quality and process performance are shared responsibilities across the business.

Responsibilities

• Quality Management System Leadership
  • Lead and maintain the organization's QMS in accordance with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 requirements.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert for automotive quality requirements and customer-specific requirements.
  • Manage quality system documentation, records, compliance processes, and Management Review activities.
  • Monitor quality objectives, KPIs, performance metrics, and quality dashboards.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for certification bodies, customers, and external auditors.
• Quality Compliance, Auditing & Corrective Actions
  • Develop and manage the internal audit program and lead customer, supplier, and third-party audits.
  • Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, customer-specific requirements, and applicable regulations.
  • Manage the corrective action system, including containment, root cause analysis, corrective actions, verification, and effectiveness reviews.
  • Ensure effective control and disposition of nonconforming product.
  • Facilitate structured problem solving utilizing methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, and root cause analysis tools.
  • Support quality risk assessment and planning related to process, material, and engineering changes.
• External Quality
  • Lead customer complaint investigations and responses.
  • Monitor customer quality performance, scorecards, complaints, and corrective action responsiveness.
  • Support supplier qualification, monitoring, audits, corrective actions, and performance improvement efforts.
  • Maintain compliance with customer-specific requirements while partnering with customers and suppliers to resolve quality concerns and drive long-term performance improvement.
• AIAG Core Tool Support
  • Support effective deployment and maintenance of AIAG Core Tools, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, SPC, MSA, and PPAP documentation.
  • Provide training and coaching on quality planning methodologies, quality tools, and customer requirements.
  • Support Engineering and Operations in maintaining quality documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Identify, prioritize, and lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
  • Utilize statistical analysis, process capability studies, and quality tools to identify improvement opportunities.
  • Facilitate cross-functional improvement teams and Kaizen activities.
  • Drive reductions in scrap, rework, customer complaints, and cost of poor quality while promoting a culture of continual improvement.
• Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Lead and develop quality personnel, including quality engineers, technicians, inspectors, and auditors.
  • Develop organizational competency in quality systems, auditing, problem solving, continuous improvement, and quality tools.
  • Partner with process owners to ensure processes are defined, measured, maintained, and continually improved.
  • Promote accountability for process performance, quality objectives, and compliance throughout the organization.
  • Collaborate across production, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, sales, and leadership teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing quality experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of quality experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 3 years of quality leadership or supervisory experience.
• Minimum 5 years working within and supporting an IATF 16949 certified QMS.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 requirements.
• Experience leading internal, customer, and third-party audits.
• Experience planning, conducting, or managing internal quality system audits.
• Strong understanding of customer-specific requirements and automotive quality expectations.
• Experience with AIAG Core Tools, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, SPC, MSA, and PPAP.
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action systems.
• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.