Quality Manager

This is a key plant leadership position for someone who understands that Quality isn’t just about responding to problems—it’s about building strong processes, developing people, partnering with Operations, and preventing problems before they reach the customer. Experience working in metal stamping, heavy stamping, press operations, tooling, welding, or related automotive manufacturing processes.

We are AUTOKINITON (pronounced auto-ken-i-TAHN)

AUTOKINITON delivers operational excellence, high-quality execution, and customer service. We offer 100% vertical integration capabilities such as end-to-end engineering, manufacturing, and in-house logistics.

We’re proud of our Tier 1 supplier legacy for manufacturing propulsion-agnostic, structural automotive components, and assemblies around the globe. 

We are seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead the Quality function at our automotive heavy-stamping manufacturing facility. This is a key plant leadership position for someone who understands that Quality isn’t just about responding to problems—it’s about building strong processes, developing people, partnering with Operations, and preventing problems before they reach the customer.

If you have a strong automotive background, understand the demands of a fast pace stamping operation, and enjoy being out on the manufacturing floor working with your team, this could be a great opportunity.

To help us drive excellence, you’ll get to:

• Lead, coach, and develop the plant Quality team, including Quality Engineers and Quality Technicians.
• Drive a strong Quality-at-the-source culture throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Maintain and continuously improve the plant’s IATF 16949 Quality Management System.
• Serve as the primary Quality contact for automotive customers and manage customer concerns, scorecards, corrective actions, and escalations.
• Lead structured problem solving and corrective actions utilizing 8D, 5-Why, root cause analysis, and other problem-solving methodologies.
• Lead and support APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, Gage R&R, and other Automotive Core Tools.
• Partner closely with Production, Engineering, Tool & Die, Maintenance, Materials, and plant leadership to improve product and process quality.
• Drive reductions in scrap, rework, sorting, containment, customer complaints, PPM, and Cost of Poor Quality.
• Support new product and tooling launches, engineering changes, and production readiness.
• Lead internal, customer, and third-party audits and ensure timely closure of findings.
• Monitor Quality KPIs, identify trends, and develop action plans that deliver measurable improvements.
• Ensure customer-specific requirements are understood and effectively implemented throughout the plant.
• Build capability within the Quality organization through training, mentoring, accountability, and succession development.
• Be a visible leader on the manufacturing floor who works collaboratively with Operations to solve problems at the source.

This full-time role is a part of our Bluffton Quality team and reports to the Plant Manager. 

Experience:

• Progressive Quality leadership experience within an automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive customer-specific requirements.
• Hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA and GD&T.
• Experience working in metal stamping, heavy stamping, press operations, tooling, welding, or related automotive manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success leading customer corrective actions and resolving complex manufacturing Quality issues.
• Strong knowledge of root cause analysis and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Experience leading and developing Quality Engineers and Technicians.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to confidently represent the plant during customer visits and audits.
• The ability to balance technical Quality requirements with the realities of a fast-paced manufacturing operation.

Working conditions:

We’ll provide position-specific details including physical and focused efforts, working environment and conditions, and reasonable accommodation during the interview process 

Where you’ll be:

This position is located at our Bluffton, in Bluffton, Ohio, offering many community events, resources, programs, and recreational opportunities for you and your family.

·         Excellent Rated School Systems

·         Great family events and parks

·         Well known for their “Blaze of Light” displays during the winter holiday season.

 Why you’ll enjoy working here:

·         Competitive Wages and Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with Company contribution match, and 15 paid holidays, including a bridge holiday in December. 

·         Work-Life Balance: Many of our Associates have stayed with us for 25+ years! It takes a good work-life balance to make it that far. We support your personal and professional priorities as they impact your well-being. 

·         Growth Opportunities: Take your career to the next level through tuition reimbursement programs, on-the-job training, learning management systems, and advancement opportunities from within our organization.

·         Learning and Development: We empower all our Associates – from entry-level to senior-level – with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their current roles and beyond at AUTOKINITON.

AUTOKINITON Promotes a dynamic and collaborative work environment for everyone.

AUTOKINITON is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. AUTOKINITON makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Required Skills


Required Experience