What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance Manager position at RecruitPod Global?
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.