Quality Manager

Location: Springfield, United States POSITION / TITLE: Quality Systems Manager Job Summary: Drive activities concerned with the development, application, maintenance, and improvement of the company's Quality Management System (QMS), presently IATF 16949. This role directs supplier quality personnel to ensure the conformance of inbound materials and directs production quality personnel to ensure the conformance of outbound products. The position provides functional leadership for the IATF Program Manager in the successful execution of audits and certifications. A key responsibility is to work collaboratively with the Manufacturing Engineering team on continuous improvement initiatives and to provide leadership in transforming the quality management system and product quality across the entire organization. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Partner with the IATF Team to develop and improve procedures and forms for all supporting Quality Management System processes. Utilize root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., Practical Problem Solving, 8D) to address all gaps discovered during internal and external quality management audits. Participate in and support root cause analysis to address external and internal quality-related problems. Use dFMEA and pFMEA tools to identify risks and actively lead initiatives to mitigate those risks, protecting the company from field exposure associated with non-conformance. Establish and maintain quality control plans. Using dFMEA and pFMEA, identify critical control points requiring error-proofing (poka-yoke) and/or data collection. Identify and execute appropriate sampling plans. Proactively reduce the frequency and costs of control plans as risk levels are lowered. Lead team members engaged in measuring, testing, and tabulating data concerning materials, product, or process quality and reliability. Manage the gauge system and actively pursue cost reduction related to gauge acquisition, maintenance, and calibration. Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures to meet quality standards. Provide leadership and training for Quality auditors. Address product/process-related quality concerns with customers and customer service, ensuring practices are consistent with documented procedures. Collaborate closely with production operators, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, sales, engineering, warranty/service, and supply chain. Champion quality improvement as part of everyday efforts. Qualifications / Training / Skill Requirements: Experience in a fabrication, machining, or assembly facility. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and experience. Direct experience with IATF or ISO quality management systems. Strong statistical background. Demonstrated Lean Manufacturing experience. Proven continuous improvement experience. Strong customer orientation. Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification strongly preferred. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification preferred. Education Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering or a related field. Experience Requirements Experience working in an IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 certified facility. Prior hands-on experience with process improvement, error proofing, dFMEA, pFMEA, APQP, control plans, process flow diagrams, and lean manufacturing principles.