Quality Manager

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com

© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Job Purpose

The Quality Control Manager holds a strategic and critical role in ensuring the site meets customer expectations while driving cost control and waste reduction. This position exists to lead the Site Quality Control Department, manage customer complaint response, and oversee continuous improvement initiatives related to quality control. The role is responsible for the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the site Quality Management System (QMS). Through leadership of key quality activities, this position mentors employees, ensures compliance with quality standards, and supports operational excellence across the site.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all established safety rules, procedures, and the company’s Code of Conduct.
• Lead and manage the site Quality Management System, including document control, customer complaint handling, corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor changes to management system standards and ensure timely integration into site business processes.
• Manage internal and external audits, ensuring readiness, effectiveness, and implementation of corrective actions.
  
  

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Identify deficiencies in business processes; prioritize improvement initiatives and lead cross-functional teams to implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive continuous improvement through the use of Lean principles (ALPS) to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Promote fact-based, data-driven problem solving across the organization.
  
  

Leadership & Communication

• Promote quality system awareness through regular communication and training to ensure organization-wide understanding.
• Develop and deliver training programs to strengthen quality knowledge and capability.
• Prepare and present reports to site and regional leadership on the effectiveness and health of the Quality Management System.
• Lead, direct, coach, and mentor quality team members to support growth and performance.
  
  

Customer & Supplier Interface

• Serve as the Site Management Team (SMT) representative for plant quality issues and customer quality interface.
• Partner with Sales and Marketing to ensure customer quality issues are effectively managed and resolved.
• Support supplier quality development in collaboration with Purchasing and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with Regional ISC, Commercial, RDI, CI, and Quality teams to ensure alignment and consistency.
  
  

Level of Autonomy

• Acts independently as the Site Management Team (SMT) authority for plant quality issues.
• Serves as the primary customer interface for quality-related matters.
• Makes independent decisions related to quality system compliance, audit readiness, corrective actions, and continuous improvement priorities.
  
  

Job Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Minimum of 7 years of quality systems experience.
• Experience with process mapping, quality system development, and statistical analysis tools.
• Manufacturing experience required, preferably in a quality leadership role.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional and large teams.
• Working knowledge of business management systems and governing standards (e.g., ISO 9000, TS 16949).
  
  

Essential Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership and compliance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data using statistical tools (Gage R&R, DOE, t-tests, multi-vari studies).
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Strong coaching, leadership, and communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
  
  

Compensation/Rewards/Benefits

The salary range for these skills is: $115,000 to $135,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

• Medical insurance with HSA
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits
• Annual bonus
• 401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Generous vacation, personal and holiday pay
• Paid Parental leave
• Hybrid work for most exempt roles
• Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks
• Career growth opportunities on a regional and global scale
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee referral bonus
  
  

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Requisition ID: 50424

Nearest Major Market: Greensboro