Quality Manager

SummaryWe are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented automotive industry Quality Manager to oversee our quality assurance. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in quality management systems, automotive industry standards, and a keen ability to lead teams to meet and exceed product quality goals. The Quality Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of internal and external quality to ensure our products meet the highest automotive quality standards. The Quality Manager will achieve this by developing and continuously improving automotive centric quality management systems, ensuring that all internal and external processes meet the company's quality/product standards and performance requirements, and being the champion of quality assurance.Essential Duties and Position ResponsibilitiesLeadership: Lead a team of quality engineers, inspectors, technicians. Provide guidance and training to ensure quality standards are consistently met across all production lines.Training & Development: Lead training initiatives to ensure employees are knowledgeable about quality standards, procedures, and best practices.Quality/Environmental Systems Management: Develop, implement, and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental Management System in compliance with automotive industry standards (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001) Product Inspection: Oversee the inspection of all incoming materials, components, and finished products to ensure compliance with quality specifications.APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning): Lead and manage the APQP process for new product launches, ensuring all stages are properly executed and documented. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (new part launch (NPL), engineering, production, and suppliers) to develop and execute quality plans, risk assessments (e.g., FMEA), and control plans. Ensure that all APQP deliverables (DFMEA, PFMEA, control plans, PPAP, etc.) are completed on time and meet customer requirements. Monitor and report progress throughout the APQP process, addressing any challenges or deviations that arise.Supplier Quality Management: Collaborate with suppliers to ensure that incoming materials meet quality standards. Manage supplier performance to mitigate risks through scorecards, corrective action verification and layered process audits.Quality Issue Resolution:Responsible for addressing customer complaints and resolving issues promptly. Investigate and resolve customer, supplier, and process related quality issues, including non-conforming materials or components. Implement root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions to prevent recurrence.Collaborate with Suppliers: Work closely with suppliers to understand their processes and capabilities. Assist in process improvements and ensure they comply with quality and regulatory requirements.Continuous Improvement: Lead continuous improvement initiatives, promoting Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement to reduce defects and improve efficiency. Lead and manage root cause analysis and corrective actions.Material and Process Qualification: Support new product launch (NPL) by qualifying supplier materials, processes, and parts. Ensure customer receive all required documentation, such as PPAPs (Production Part Approval Process) that are complete and accurate.Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks related to supplier and internal quality, including assessing potential risks in the supply chain and implementing strategies to address them.Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate and detailed quality records, including customer complaints, supplier assessments, external and internal audits, and performance data. Prepare regular reports on supplier and internal process quality for management review.Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, NPL, purchasing, production, and quality teams to ensure alignment with company objectives and project requirements.All other duties as assigned to meet current business needsRequired AttributesStrong Communicator: Communicates well with customers by listening and responding to their concerns. Clearly conveys expectations to employees at all levels.Leadership: Takes charge to accomplish difficult tasks. Inspires and motivates teams to achieve quality goals.Perseverance:To keep trying or sticking with a goal or passion, even when faced with obstacles. Detail-Oriented: The ability to scrutinize supplier and internal processes, products, and materials closely to ensure compliance with quality/product manufacturing standards.Analytical Mindset: A natural aptitude for solving complex problems using data, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.Proactive: The ability to anticipate potential issues and take preemptive action.Adaptable: Flexibility to adjust to changing needs or evolving industry standards.Results-Driven: Focused on achieving high-quality standards while balancing cost and lead time considerations.Strong Ethical Standards: Commitment to fairness, transparency, and integrity. Required KnowledgeHuman Resource Management: Experience managing a variety of individuals with different experience and education levels.Quality/Environmental Management Systems (QMS/EMS): Knowledge of quality/product manufacturing standards like ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001 industry/product specific standards or other relevant certifications.Quality Inspection: Working knowledge of inspection methods, gages, gage R&R, calibration, record keeping, etc. Technical Skills: Strong understanding of quality tools such as DFMEA, PFMEA, SPC, PPAP, APQP, 8D, and root cause analysis.Manufacturing Processes: Familiarity with various manufacturing techniques and processes such as fastener manufacturing, machining, stamping, heat treating, plating, sorting and assembly.Supplier Development & Qualification: Knowledge of supplier qualification processes, supplier audits, and risk assessment methodologies.Problem-Solving Tools: Proficiency with tools such as 8D Problem Solving, Root Cause Analysis, 5-Why, and Fishbone Diagrams.Statistical Process Control (SPC): Understanding of statistical methods for monitoring and improving production processes.Continuous Improvement Methodologies: Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement tools.Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Familiarity with the processes from product design to manufacturing and supply chain management.Required SkillsAuditing: Ability to lead and conduct internal and external audits ensuring compliance with internal and regulatory standards.Project Management: Skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including customer complaint resolution, supplier qualifications, process improvements, and corrective actions.Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to clearly understand as well as convey technical information, expectations, and feedback to customers, suppliers and internal teams.Negotiation: Skilled in negotiating quality agreements and corrective action plans with customers and suppliers to ensure results aligns with company objectives.Data Analysis: Ability to analyze quality data and trends to identify and implement improvements. Proficiency in using data analysis tools like Excel, Minitab, or other statistical software.Technical Documentation: Strong skills in reading, interpreting, applying technical documents such as published technical industry standards, engineering drawings, specifications, and inspection reports. Examples ISO 898-1, ISO 4753, ASME B1.13M Ability to interpret and use GDT fundamentals.Risk Management: Ability to identify and mitigate risks in all internal and external quality processes that could impact product quality, delivery, or cost.Required AbilitiesCollaboration: Work effectively in cross-functional teams with engineering, sales, procurement, production, and quality departments to address customer quality issues.Leadership: Lead quality initiatives, drive performance improvements, and develop strategies to improve overall quality performance.Problem-Solving: Ability to tackle complex quality issues, apply structured problem-solving methodologies, and implement corrective actions that resolve root causes.Adaptability to Travel: Willingness and ability to travel domestically or internationallyTechnical Acumen: Able to quickly learn and apply new technical knowledge, particularly when dealing with new quality issues or unfamiliar manufacturing processes.Financial Acumen: Strong financial management skills, with the ability to interpret quality related financial exposure to protect the company from exorbitant costs.Work RelationshipsReports to the Operations LeaderHas direct employeesTravel RequirementsUp to 25% domestically and internationally Education and ExperienceEducation: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.Experience: 5+ years of experience as a Quality Manager. Working experience in manufacturing and distributionWorking Conditions/Physical RequirementsWork is performed primarily in a combination of warehouse and office environment with low to moderate noise levelsFast-paced work environment. Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds. Position requires regular sitting, standing, and walking.Position requires daily use of a computer to manage tasks such as data entry and communicating with customers via email and chat.Good hand dexterity capable of holding small partsNormal visual acuity, capable of seeing small details with or without the use of an eye loupePreferred RequirementsExperience highly regulated industry (automotive, aerospace, medical devicesDirect experience in fastener quality is highly preferred.Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green Belt or higher or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)Bilingual in English and Spanish

Created: 2025-03-02