Position Summary Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Quality Manager promotes, develops, and oversees compliance of the company quality system (ISO 9001). The Quality Manager contributes to customer satisfaction by assuring compliance to customer requirements and improves cost of quality by monitoring and developing systems, methods and practices to drive continuous improvement through the management of the Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams.

Primary/Essential Responsibilities

• Creates, implements, and validates quality processes and ensures compliance with customer requirements, regulatory and external standards by writing and managing quality assurance procedures; measuring and documenting evidence; and determining operational and performance qualifications.
• Validates quality processes by establishing product specifications and quality attributes; measuring production; documenting evidence; determining operational and performance qualification; writing and updating quality assurance procedures.
• Directs and coordinates the activities of Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams engaged in quality functions – including inspection, analysis and training.
• Drives formal problem solving activities, bringing together staff of different disciplines and drives the group to plan, formulate and agree on comprehensive quality procedures. Formally reports problem solving activities/conclusions to customers when required.
• Works internally with engineering, purchasing, and manufacturing support quality requirements and ensure compliance.
• Works directly with customers to support quality requirements.
• Works with purchasing staff to establish quality requirements for external suppliers.
• Develops policies and procedures to ensure quality product.
• Effectively interacts with Production, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to maintain product supply and introduction of new products.
• Facilitates analysis and coordinates activities related to process/system improvement projects.
• Determines staffing requirements to meet quality and delivery expectations.
• Maintains operations data and prepares productivity/quality reports for management.
• Directs and coordinates the activities of team engaged in quality functions – including inspection, analysis and training.
• Makes final determinations or dispositions related to non-conforming materials.
• Monitors indicators related to ensuring employees conform to production or processing standards.
• Manages returned product process (RMA group)
• Maintains and improves product quality by completing product, company, system, compliance, and surveillance audits; investigating customer complaints; collaborating with other members of management to develop new product and engineering designs, and manufacturing and training methods.
• Keep up to date with industry trends by attending conferences and training courses.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or similar).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Quality or similar role.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading teams
• Experience with the implementation and/or system maintenance of ISO 9001/AS9001 or equivalent quality management systems
• Experience with ISO 14001 Environmental management system desirable
• Experience with implementation and use of Quality Management Systems such as ETQ, Master Control, Ideagen or other
• Proven background and training in formal, statistical problem solving methodology (8-Step, DMAIC, Red-X, 8D, Lean-Six Sigma).
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with peers, suppliers, and internal or external customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification, training, and/or experience is preferred
• Lean Manufacturing Green or Black Belt certification is desirable
• Proven track record in continuous improvement and lean systems is considered an asset.

Leadership Manager: Responsible for the management of 15-20 Quality personnel which includes a Supervisor. Has responsibility to hire/fire decisions; performance appraisals; employee training and development; handles disciplinary problems.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions: General Office Environment, PC use

• Light Lifting (occasional 25 lbs or less)
• Stooping
• Standing