Quality Manager

The Quality Manager is a hands‑on leader responsible for stabilizing, maintaining, and continuously improving AS9100D and ISO 9001 Quality Management System.

This position requires a turnaround mindset—a disciplined, tactical leader who thrives on the production floor, collaborates with engineering and contract review teams, and rebuilds systems to world‑class aerospace standards.

The Quality Manager is 60% tactically focused (direct, daily engagement with production, inspection, and problem‑solving) and 40% strategically focused (system development, metrics, leadership alignment, and continuous improvement).

This position manages a team of one Quality Engineer and three Quality Inspectors, serving as our client's Management Representative and primary point of contact for all customer and regulatory quality matters.

This position will scale to more strategic focus over a 18-24 month business turnaround plan.

• Lead through a QMS turnaround, achieving stability, repeatability, and audit readiness.
• Restore and sustain customer confidence, compliance, and performance metrics.
• Build a disciplined, data‑driven, and improvement‑oriented quality culture.
• Align quality and compliance activities with our client's standards and shared practices.

• Lead all daily quality control, inspection, and nonconformance management activities.
• Resolve in‑process quality issues in real time, partnering with operators and engineers on the shop floor.
• Perform and verify root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (8D, 5‑Why, Fishbone).
• Review and approve engineering changes, routers, and purchase orders for quality impact.
• Oversee calibration, measurement system control, and traceability.
• Manage customer quality communication, audits, and product acceptance.
• Chair the Material Review Board (MRB) meetings and manage nonconforming product disposition.
• Ensure export and regulatory compliance (ITAR/EAR) and adherence to product safety and ethical standards.
• Serve as AS9100 Management Representative, ensuring certification and compliance readiness.
• Champion the internal audit, Management Review, and Risk Mitigation programs developed by Spartan
• Establish and report on key quality performance indicators (PPM, CoPQ, escapes, audit findings).
• Drive continuous improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma methodology to reduce waste and process variation.
• Develop the skills and problem‑solving capability of the Quality Team (1 Technician and 3 Quality Inspectors).
• Collaborate with leadership to align QMS with group‑level initiatives.
• Embed structured, data‑driven decision‑making into daily operations.

The Quality Manager must operate effectively across all Ventura functions:

• Production:
  Resolve real‑time manufacturing issues, enforce inspection discipline, and validate process controls.
• Engineering:
  Review CAD changes, process sheets, and FAI documentation to ensure manufacturability and compliance.
• Contract Review:
  Evaluate customer purchase orders and flow‑down requirements for feasibility and risk.
• Management Support:
  Present performance data, lead management reviews, and advise on strategic risk and improvement opportunities.

This position demands a visible floor presence, hands‑on leadership, and strong communication across all organizational levels.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Quality‑related discipline required.
• Minimum 8–10 years of aerospace manufacturing quality experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in AS9100D / ISO 9001 environments with proven audit and compliance expertise.
• Lean Six Sigma certification required — Black Belt preferred, Green Belt acceptable.
• Hands‑on experience in precision machining, GD&T interpretation, FAI, and process validation.
• Experience leading system improvement or turnaround efforts in an aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Proficient with data analysis, SPC, and problem‑solving tools (Pareto, FMEA, 8D, MSA, etc.).
• Strong communication, leadership, and coaching skills with an emphasis on collaboration and accountability.
• AS9100 Lead…