Quality Manager

Location: Leitchfield

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and maintaining the site Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, and internal standards within an automotive injection molding manufacturing environment. This role drives quality performance through effective leadership of quality personnel, oversight of product and process quality, and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives. The Quality Manager partners closely with operations, engineering, and customers to ensure defect prevention, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance

Job Responsibilities:

* Lead, maintain, and continuously improve the site Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements

* Serve as the primary point of contact for all external audits (IATF, customer, regulatory) and lead internal audit programs

* Ensure compliance to PPAP requirements, including submission, approval, and ongoing validation of production processes

* Oversee problem-solving activities (8D, 5 Why, fishbone) and ensure effective root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions

* Monitor and report key quality metrics (scrap, PPM, customer complaints) and implement corrective actions to improve performance

* Ensure effective control plans, PFMEAs, and process documentation are established and maintained for all injection molding processes

* Lead customer interface for quality-related issues, including complaints, scorecards, and corrective action responses

* Develop and mentor the quality team, including Quality Engineers, Supervisors, and Inspectors, to build capability and accountability

* Drive layered process audits (LPAs), product audits, and system audits to ensure adherence to standards

* Ensure calibration and maintenance of inspection and testing equipment in compliance with standards

* Partner with engineering and operations on new product launches, process changes, and continuous improvement initiatives

* Support supplier quality activities, including supplier audits, evaluations, and corrective action follow-up

* Champion a culture of quality, customer focus, and continuous improvement throughout the facility

Behavioral Expectations

* Safety-First. A safety-first mindset is a proactive approach to safety, where all employees keep an eye out for safety issues and avoid potentially dangerous situations which could likely cause danger, risk, or injury. This also means that everyone has responsibility for safety regardless of role, level, title, or job.

* Continuous Improvement. Suggest every employee, everywhere, is always looking for ways we can improve and standardize our work even when everything is going well. By doing so, it will drive consistent progress toward improved business performance and will tap into people's desire to be the best at what they do.

* Compliant. Employee compliance is achieved when workers are familiar with all the laws that govern their industry or job and know how to conduct business in an ethical manner. It often requires procedural training and encouragement to learn from mistakes.

* Driving Results. Identify specific purpose, goal, or destination and prioritize making progress toward it Focus discussions on what you want to achieve and why - and then let them do it. Everyone knows their role and is accountable for driving their work to achieve a common goal.

* ONE Team. One team means being part of a group that shares strong relationships, trust, respect, and a common vision for what "good" looks like. One team means supporting and relying on one another to achieve to drive the overall business priorities and meet our customer commitments

Job Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quality, or related field (preferred)

* 5-10+ years of quality leadership experience within automotive manufacturing, preferably injection molding

* Proven experience managing and maintaining IATF 16949-certified QMS

* Strong knowledge of automotive quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, 8D)

* Experience leading internal and external audits and customer interactions

* Demonstrated leadership and people management skills in a manufacturing environment

* Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality/data systems

* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization and customers

* Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment