Quality Assurance Manager

Seeking a highly motivated Quality Assurance & Returns Manager to oversee quality control, product returns, and continuous improvement initiatives across our U.S. operations. This critical role supports company-wide quality excellence through strong leadership and hands-on process management. You will play a key role in driving customer satisfaction, product integrity, and operational consistency across our brands.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead a unified Quality and Returns function in our Petersburg, Virginia, facility.
• Develop and communicate a clear quality vision aligned with our strategic goals.
• Manage and mentor QA and returns teams to ensure performance, consistency, and accountability.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives in collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Product Management, and Sales teams.

Quality Management & Compliance

• Develop and harmonize quality procedures, inspection criteria, and testing protocols across all operations.
• Ensure all products, whether manufactured or externally sourced, meet internal and regulatory standards.
• Conduct regular quality audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.

Product Quality Assurance

• Manage incoming inspections, fitment testing, and quality control of new inventory and flagged parts.
• Coordinate with Technical and QA teams for first article inspections and product vetting.
• Analyze quality control data and customer complaint escalations to drive corrective action.
• Issue and track Corrective Action Reports (CARs) and ensure resolution in collaboration with vendors and internal teams.
• Suspend product sales or production if critical defects are identified and communicate across departments.

Returns Management (Customer & Vendor)

• Oversee all customer and vendor return operations across U.S. sites.
• Monitor and improve returns inspection processes and root cause analysis.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Supplier Quality to manage RTVs, scrappage, or rework of non-conforming parts.
• Produce regular reports on returns trends, customer return frequency, and quality-related performance metrics.

Process Improvement & Reporting

• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and quality enhancement.
• Provide training on QA tools, root cause analysis, and quality standards.
• Track and report key metrics, including:
• Reduction in non-conformances and customer returns
• Increased internal and supplier product quality
• Monthly inspection activity and CAR generation
• Compliance with safety standards

Skills & Experience:

Required:

• Proven experience managing a Quality Assurance or Quality Management team.
• Excellent critical thinking, decision-making, and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong time management, prioritization, and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive change in a complex environment.
• High attention to detail with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Desirable:

• Background in automotive parts manufacturing or distribution.
• Experience with First Article Inspection and supplier quality management.
• Familiarity with regulatory and industry-specific quality standards.