Plant Quality Manager

Plant Quality Manager

Location: Des Moines, IA Compensation: Base Bonus

The Role

We are seeking a hands-on Plant Quality Manager to lead all quality functions within the facility. This individual will drive continuous improvement efforts focused on quality, waste reduction, process improvement, and operational excellence while building strong relationships across the organization.

The right candidate will be a self-starter who takes initiative, drives accountability, and doesn't require constant direction. This role requires someone who can lead from the front, solve problems, and effectively engage employees at all levels of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 24 Quality Inspectors and 3-6 Quality Engineers/Technicians.
• Champion the site's ISO 9001 Quality Management System and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Drive quality improvements, waste reduction initiatives, and overall process performance.
• Lead root cause investigations and oversee 2-3 RCCA (Root Cause Corrective Action) teams simultaneously.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, SPC, and structured problem-solving methodologies to improve plant performance.
• Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to reduce scrap, improve consistency, and increase customer satisfaction.
• Manage supplier quality issues, corrective actions, audits, and quality-related customer concerns.
• Develop a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the facility.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical field.
• 7 years of quality experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Prior leadership experience managing quality teams.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, corrective actions, SPC, PFMEA, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated success improving quality, reducing waste, lowering scrap rates, and driving measurable operational improvements.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and gain buy-in across the organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility and effectively work with plant personnel, engineers, leadership, suppliers, and customers.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for a go-getter who is motivated by solving problems and delivering results. The ideal candidate will be a visible leader on the production floor, capable of balancing strategic initiatives with hands-on execution. They should be comfortable challenging the status quo, leading change, overseeing multiple corrective action teams, and building strong relationships with their team while maintaining accountability for results.

Target Backgrounds: Quality Manager, Senior Quality Engineer, Quality Engineering Manager, Quality Systems Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager, or Manufacturing Quality Leader with experience in ISO 9001 environments and leading plant-wide quality initiatives.

Key Search Terms: ISO 9001, Six Sigma, Quality Leadership, Manufacturing Quality, Root Cause Analysis, RCCA, Continuous Improvement, Waste Reduction, Scrap Reduction, Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, Operational Excellence.