Quality Control SR Manager

Job Description

Title: Senior Manager – Quality Control

Department: Quality Control

Reports To: General Manager

Position Overview

The Senior Manager – Quality Control is responsible for leading the organization’s quality management systems, ensuring compliance with automotive quality standards, customer requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role oversees quality operations, internal and external audits, process improvement activities, corrective actions, and quality strategy development to support operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

The Senior Manager will provide leadership to the Quality Control team, collaborate with cross-functional departments, and drive initiatives that improve product quality, reduce failure costs, and strengthen overall business performance.

Major Functions

Quality Management System (QMS) Leadership

• Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System in compliance with ISO/TS 16949, IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Monitor quality processes, procedures, and performance metrics to ensure organizational compliance and effectiveness.
• Develop and execute annual internal and external QMS audit plans.
• Manage customer, supplier, and third-party quality audits while ensuring timely corrective actions.

Process Improvement & Quality Strategy

• Lead current process improvement initiatives and support new process development activities.
• Develop quality improvement strategies aligned with company goals and operational objectives.
• Utilize quality tools and methodologies including SPC, MSA, FMEA, Control Plans, and corrective action processes to improve manufacturing performance.
• Lead quality innovation initiatives by establishing goals, monitoring progress, and reporting results.

Customer Quality & Corrective Actions

• Monitor and resolve internal and external customer quality concerns.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans related to customer claims, production issues, and quality failures.
• Analyze quality trends and forecast potential field issues to proactively prevent future concerns.
• Control quality-related costs, including internal failure costs, field claims, and customer downtime expenses.

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise and develop Quality Control department team members.
• Train internal auditors, department specialists, and team members on quality standards and procedures.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and performance management to support team effectiveness.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-focused quality excellence.

Business Planning & Reporting

• Develop annual quality business plans, management review presentations, and financial reports.
• Manage department financial information and support budget planning.
• Review, approve, and maintain quality department documentation.
• Provide quality performance updates and recommendations to senior leadership.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or related technical field required.

Experience

• Minimum 12 years of progressive quality management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 5 years of process improvement experience required.
• Automotive manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing ISO/TS 16949 or IATF 16949 quality systems required.

Certifications & Technical Knowledge

• ISO/TS 16949 Internal Auditor certification required.
• Strong knowledge and experience with:
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Control Plans
• Fixture planning and manufacturing quality processes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word required.
• Experience with CAD systems preferred.

Leadership Competencies & Personal Characteristics

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and personalities.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Organized, proactive, and results-oriented approach.
• Ability to establish credibility, influence decisions, and drive accountability.
• Collaborative management style with a strong commitment to teamwork.
• Strong customer service mindset while maintaining quality standards and business objectives.

Organizational Relationships

The Senior Manager – Quality Control is accountable to executive leadership for all quality-related activities and works closely with:

• Senior Management
• General Manager
• Production Management
• Engineering Teams
• Department Supervisors
• Team Leaders and Team Members
• Customers and External Auditors

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and may be revised by management as needed to support changing business requirements.