Quality Assurance Manager

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager

Location: On Site - Smithville, Tennessee, United States

Skills: Automotive Manufacturing, Quality Management Systems, Lean Manufacturing, APQP/PPAP/FMEA, Team Leadership

About the Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Company / The Opportunity:

Join a dynamic leader in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry where relentless innovation and stringent quality standards set the benchmark for excellence. This opportunity places you at the heart of a high-impact, fast-paced environment focused on advancing operational quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction. As a Quality Assurance Manager, you will play a critical role in overseeing company-wide quality initiatives and driving continuous improvement in a well-established automotive setting.

Responsibilities:

• Lead internal defect reduction initiatives and champion zero-defect strategies to improve overall product quality across all plants.
• Direct strategic quality planning and monitor departmental performance against established KPIs, taking corrective actions as necessary.
• Oversee new product launch processes to ensure quality requirements are embedded from the outset.
• Develop, implement, and audit robust quality control policies and procedures in compliance with IATF 16949 and industry standards.
• Conduct departmental performance reviews, analyze quality data, and drive data-based solutions to minimize risk and optimize profitability.
• Manage quality budgets, cost control, and drive scrap reduction and waste elimination programs.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customer visits, audits, and quality meetings to maintain strong client relationships.
• Train, mentor, and develop quality department personnel, instilling a culture of continuous improvement and Kaizen excellence.
• Collaborate with production teams on problem-solving initiatives to promptly resolve quality issues and prevent recurrence.

Must-Have Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in automotive manufacturing, including 3 years in a quality managerial role.
• Expertise in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and other core quality tools used in automotive environments.
• Strong background in Toyota Production System (TPS) and lean manufacturing methodologies.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001/IATF 16949 standards, audits, and compliance requirements.
• Track record of successful new product launches, documentation management, and continuous improvement leadership.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for cross-functional leadership and customer engagement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and advanced data analysis tools.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Experience with press/stamping operations and robotic welding systems in automotive manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Kaizen, Hoshin Kanri objectives, and daily quality management meeting facilitation.
• Proven ability to oversee budget planning and departmental goal setting.
• Willingness to travel as needed, typically twice weekly.