Manufacturing Quality Manager

About the Role:
The Quality Manager, Manufacturing Quality Manager, or Head of Quality is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing quality assurance, compliance, and continuous improvement within a precision manufacturing environment. This role leads the Quality Management System, ensures adherence to ISO 9001 and AS9100 standards, and drives operational excellence through data-driven decision-making, root cause analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. The position plays a critical role in maintaining product integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and AS9100D standards across all operations.
• Oversee quality engineering, metrology, inspection, and laboratory functions, providing leadership and performance management to technical teams.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve quality processes including PPAP, SPC, control plans, MRB, and traceability systems.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators such as defect rates, cost of quality, throughput, and customer satisfaction metrics.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions using structured methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, and Design of Experiments.
• Lead internal, external, and customer audits, ensuring audit readiness and timely resolution of findings and non-conformances.
• Manage non-conforming material processes, ensuring timely disposition and minimizing production delays or backlog.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer and supplier quality issues, including complaints, corrective actions, and escalation management.
• Oversee First Article Inspection documentation, PPAP submissions, and regulatory compliance deliverables.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to support supplier quality management, process improvements, and engineering changes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, or a related technical field.
• 7 or more years of experience in manufacturing quality, preferably in precision machining or aerospace environments.
• 5 or more years of leadership experience managing quality teams, systems, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with AS9100D and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T, blueprint reading, inspection methods, and metrology practices.
• Experience with quality tools such as SPC, CAPA, PPAP, FMEA, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Certification or ability to obtain certifications such as AS9100 Lead Auditor, CMQ/OE, and Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
• Certified Quality Engineer or Certified Quality Auditor credentials.
• Advanced GD&T certification aligned with ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks or similar engineering software.
• Background in aerospace, defense, or high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.