Quality Manager 1

The Quality Manager has full authority and accountability for the organizations Quality Management System (QMS) and compliance to AS9100 NADCAP and applicable regulatory and customer requirements. This role ensures product conformity process control and continual improvement through effective system governance audit readiness and risk-based quality planning.

The Quality Manager leads the development implementation and maintenance of quality systems that support zero-defect objectives customer satisfaction and sustained aerospace compliance. This position establishes a culture of compliance accountability and continuous improvement through metrics training cross-functional engagement and data-driven decision-making. The Quality Manager oversees a team of 35 direct reports including one Quality Supervisor with additional direct reports.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Quality Management System (QMS) Leadership

• Maintain ownership and effectiveness of the Quality Management System in accordance with AS9100 NADCAP customer flow-down requirements and applicable regulatory standards.
• Ensure documented processes procedures and records demonstrate objective evidence of compliance and effectiveness.
• Plan lead and support internal audits external certification audits customer audits and NADCAP audits; ensure timely containment root cause analysis corrective action and verification of effectiveness.
• Ensure management review inputs and outputs meet AS9100 requirements and support risk-based decision-making.
• Promote configuration control document control and record retention in accordance with aerospace standards.

Product & Process Conformity

• Ensure quality planning and process controls are implemented and maintained including First Article Inspection (FAI per AS9102) Control Plans PFMEAs inspection plans and acceptance criteria.
• Oversee incoming in-process and final inspection activities to ensure conformity prior to product release.
• Ensure nonconforming material is properly identified segregated dispositioned and documented in compliance with AS9100 requirements.
• Partner with Engineering Production and Maintenance to ensure process capability control of special processes and prevention of escape.

NADCAP & Special Process Compliance

• Ensure compliance with NADCAP requirements for applicable special processes including heat treat pyrometry and AMS 2750.
• Maintain oversight of calibration systems furnace qualification TUS/SAT requirements and pyrometry records.
• Ensure personnel qualification training and certification for special processes meet NADCAP and customer requirements.
• Support NADCAP audit preparation corrective action responses and sustained accreditation.

Customer & Supplier Quality Assurance

• Serve as the primary interface for customer quality matters including corrective action requests nonconformances and audit activities.
• Ensure customer regulatory and contractual requirements are reviewed flowed down and implemented.
• Lead supplier quality assurance activities including supplier approval monitoring audits and corrective action follow-up.
• Ensure supplier performance and risk are evaluated and addressed in accordance with AS9100 supplier control requirements.

Corrective Action & Risk Management

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions using structured methodologies (8D 5 Whys Fishbone).
• Ensure corrective actions address systemic issues and include verification of effectiveness.
• Apply risk-based thinking to product realization supplier management and process changes.
• Support change management activities to ensure quality and compliance risks are assessed and mitigated.

Metrics Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish monitor and report quality performance metrics including nonconformance trends escape rates audit findings and customer complaints.
• Use data analysis to drive continual improvement and support management review.
• Lead or support Lean Six Sigma and process improvement initiatives aligned with AS9100 continual improvement requirements.

Team Lead & Competency

• Lead mentor and develop quality personnel to ensure competency accountability and audit readiness.
• Ensure training records competency evaluations and certification requirements are maintained in compliance with AS9100 and NADCAP standards.
• Promote a culture of compliance ownership and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering Quality Manufacturing or a related technical discipline.
• 37 years of progressive quality leadership experience in aerospace or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in AS9100 AS9102 (FAI) NADCAP PPAP SPC GD&T and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience with pyrometry AMS 2750 calibration systems and special process oversight.
• Proven experience leading audits responding to findings and maintaining audit readiness.
• Strong communication analytical and cross-functional leadership skills.
• CQE CMQ/OE or equivalent certification preferred.
• Experience in forging heat treat metalworking or heavy manufacturing preferred.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role with reasonable accommodations available as needed.

• Ability to regularly access manufacturing and special process areas to verify compliance and process control.
• Frequent walking of the production floor; occasional lifting up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to perform visual inspections review documentation and evaluate process conditions.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate noise vibration and airborne particles.
• Office and shop-floor presence required to support audits inspections and process oversight.