Quality Assurance Manager

Job description

Summary The Quality Assurance Manager leads plant-wide quality for a precision cooling equipment manufacturing operation. This role owns the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and drives a prevention-first, data-driven quality culture — shifting the focus from detecting defects to designing and building quality into products and processes. Working with production, engineering, purchasing, and suppliers, the Quality Assurance Manager uses continuous improvement methods, statistical tools, and digital quality systems to reduce cost of poor quality and deliver measurable improvements in product quality, customer satisfaction, and factory performance. Duties are performed personally or through subordinate supervisors and quality staff. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Quality Management System — Own, maintain, and continually improve the company’s Quality Management System in conformance with ISO 9001:2015, applying the process approach and risk-based thinking across all plant operations. Lead internal audit programs, management reviews, and certification/surveillance audits. Quality Performance & Data — Define, track, and report plant quality KPIs — first-pass yield, scrap and rework, cost of poor quality (COPQ), supplier PPM, warranty and field-failure rates, and on-time CAPA closure. Use data analytics and statistical methods (SPC, capability studies, MSA) to drive decisions and present performance to senior leadership. Corrective & Preventive Action — Lead structured root-cause analysis and corrective action (8D, A3, 5-Why, fishbone) for internal nonconformances, customer complaints, and field issues. Ensure containment, verification of effectiveness, and read-across to similar products and processes. Continuous Improvement — Champion Lean and Six Sigma methods to reduce variation and waste, including kaizen events, layered process audits, error-proofing (poka-yoke), and standard work. Build a proactive, prevention-based quality culture on the factory floor. Supplier Quality — Manage supplier quality performance: qualification and audits, PPAP/first-article approvals, incoming inspection strategy, supplier corrective action requests (SCARs), and supplier scorecards. Partner with purchasing and engineering on supplier selection and development. New Product Introduction — Represent quality in design and development, applying advanced quality planning (APQP-style) tools — design reviews, PFMEA, control plans, and inspection planning — so quality is designed in before launch. Regulatory & Product Compliance — Ensure products and processes meet applicable product safety and regulatory requirements (e.g., UL/ETL listings, applicable codes and customer specifications), supporting third-party inspections and maintaining associated documentation. Inspection, Test & Calibration — Oversee in-process and final inspection and test operations, nonconforming material control (MRB), and the calibration program for measurement and test equipment, including measurement system analysis. Customer Focus — Serve as the plant’s voice of the customer: manage customer complaints, returns, and audits; drive resolution and communicate transparently with customers on quality issues and improvement actions. Digital Quality — Advance the use of digital tools (eQMS, ERP quality modules, statistical and BI software) to automate quality records, traceability, and reporting. Leadership & Development — Lead, coach, and develop the Quality Assurance team (quality engineers, technicians, and inspectors). Set objectives, manage performance, and build quality competency across production through training and certification programs. Cross-Functional Collaboration — Partner with engineering, production, purchasing, and service teams to solve technical problems, improve manufacturability, and align quality objectives with business goals. Prepare and manage the department budget. Safety — Support a safe working environment and compliance with OSHA requirements within quality operations. Supervisory Responsibilities Directly supervises Quality Assurance Department personnel, including Quality Engineers, Quality Technicians, and Quality Inspectors. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws, including hiring, training, performance management, and development. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field (or equivalent combination of education and experience). Seven or more years of progressive quality experience in a manufacturing environment, including three or more years in a leadership role; HVAC, electro-mechanical, or capital equipment manufacturing experience preferred. Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015; internal or lead auditor training preferred. ASQ certification (CQE, CMQ/OE) and/or Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt strongly preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Command of core quality tools: SPC, FMEA, control plans, MSA/gage R&R, capability analysis, 8D and other structured problem-solving methods. Experience with supplier quality processes (PPAP, first-article inspection, supplier audits and development). Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, eQMS platforms, and analysis tools (Excel, Minitab, or similar; BI dashboards a plus). Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and applicable product safety standards (UL/ETL). Strong written and verbal communication in English; able to present quality data and improvement plans to executives, customers, auditors, and shop-floor teams. Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and change-management skills; able to build a prevention-first quality culture. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, and talk or hear. The employee regularly moves between office and production areas. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment Work is performed in both an office environment and on the production floor of a manufacturing plant. While in production areas, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts and moderate noise; appropriate personal protective equipment is required.