Quality Manager

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Quality Manager is responsible for leading all IPD internal quality requirements, ensuring effective execution of the quality management system, and managing the quality department. This role is responsible for ISO 9001 compliance readiness, internal audit coordination, document control oversight, KPI reporting, quality department leadership, and resolution of quality issues using quality processes and tools. The Quality Manager works cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Warranty, and Customer Support to drive timely containment, corrective action, and continuous improvement. The Quality Manager is responsible for achieving quality objectives while exhibiting Storm Industries Core Values.

A. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Regular Functions include:

• Responible for planning and oversight of all internal quality functions, the quality department and the budget for the department.
• Proactively leads the execution of the IPD internal quality management system.
• Maintains ISO 9001 compliance readiness, including document control, internal audit coordination, corrective action tracking, and quality management system records.
• Manages and improves NCMR, incoming inspection, deviation request, and quality documentation processes.
• Provides leadership and development for employees within the quality department. This includes daily priorities, inspection workload, documentation discipline, and training.
• Leads field-related quality issue reporting and communication in coordination with Warranty & Technical Support.
• Owns the preparation and reporting of internal quality KPIs, including nonconformance trends, customer quality issues, inspection performance, audit findings, and corrective action status.
• Drives customer quality escalations with Engineering, Warranty, Sales, Customer Support, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure containment, root cause investigation, corrective action, and closure.
• Drives structured problem solving and corrective action processes, including root cause analysis, containment, verification of effectiveness, and recurrence prevention.
• Partners with Engineering to improve inspection methods, test methods, qualification testing, data collection, and product/process validation activities.
• Supports Supply Chain and Supplier Quality resources on supplier-related issues, supplier corrective actions, PPAP/APQP activities, and supplier audits where assigned.
• Identifies and executes quality system improvements, inspection methods, equipment, procedures, and training.
• Drives continuous improvement of internal quality processes, with emphasis on clarity of ownership, repeatable execution, and measurable quality performance. Incorporates the use of AI where appropriate.
• Other duties as required.

Periodic Functions include:

• Develops reports as required, including management review inputs and quality objective status updates.
• Participates in customer audits, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and written specifications as needed.
• Supports supplier audits as requested by Supply Chain.
• Travel will be required (approx. 5-10%). Must have a valid passport and be able to travel internationally.

Leadership Responsibilities:

• The person in this role is viewed as the Quality Champion for IPD and engages the organization in pursuing quality, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Manages and develops direct and indirect labor associated with the Quality function.
• Establishes clear ownership, communication cadence, and execution discipline during the transition of internal quality responsibilities into Engineering.
• Recommends and assists with employee development programs. Ensures performance objectives are outlined, completed thoroughly, and completed in a timely manner.

B. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 or more years in a technical quality position or equivalent work experience.
• Preferred 5 years’ experience working in a manufacturing environment, with experience in a management role.
• Experience managing inspection, NCMR, deviation, document control, corrective action, and KPI reporting processes.
• Industry experience in machining, stamping, metals, heavy-duty engine components, industrial products, high-mix manufacturing, or assembly is preferred.

Required Behaviors and Competencies include:

• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience leading and developing a team.
• Expected to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrates a strong sense of ethics, accountability, and ownership.
• Demonstrates time management, adaptability, and organizational discipline.
• Track record demonstrating strong customer focus and practical problem resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to implement effective processes and apply structured problem-solving tools.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Comfortable in cross-functional environments with ability to build collaborative relationships.
• Hands-on, self-starter with ability to complete projects and resolve problems in a timely manner with the quality required.
• Strong organization skills with ability to multitask and oversee multiple priorities.
• Highly motivated with willingness to grow and learn.
• Expertise in establishing, implementing, and executing repeatable processes.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to demonstrate Storm Core Values.

Professional/Technical Training and Skills include:

• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret technical instructions, safety rules, operating instructions, maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and take corrective action.
• Identify and implement tools and techniques to improve quality-system efficiency and execution discipline.
• Able to calculate figures and amounts. Can analyze quality trends using spreadsheet-based tools.
• Experience with CAPA, 8D, 5 Why, fishbone, or equivalent structured problem-solving methods.
• Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, DFM, PFMEA, APQP, and PPAP knowledge preferred.
• Working ability with Microsoft Office suite, including ability to organize, manipulate, and analyze large amounts of data in Excel and produce coherent conclusions and recommendations for action. Able to use AI tools for efficiency.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality System requirements, internal audits, corrective action tracking, document control, and management review support.
• Process improvement and quality KPI reporting experience.

Licenses and Certifications include:

• Managerial skills training is an asset.
• ASQ CQE, CQA, Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, or ISO 9001 Lead/Internal Auditor certification preferred.

C. CORE VALUES:

Ability to actively promote Storm Core Values of:

• Building Enduring Customer Value
• Passionately Pursue Excellence
• Work as a Team/Win as a Team
• Optimize Results
• Building Enduring Customer Value
• Passionately Pursue Excellence
• Works as a Team/Win as a Team
• Optimize Results
• Work with Integrity/ Build Trust