Quality Control Manager Northern AL

Job Summary:

The Quality Control Manager oversees quality operations across all shifts, ensuring adherence to the plant’s quality system and company standards. This role manages the Quality team—including Assistant Managers, Group Leaders, Specialists, and Team Members—in both quality labs and manufacturing areas. The manager is responsible for achieving company targets related to safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, cost reduction, productivity, and employee development, in accordance with established policies and quality standards.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Supervise and provide leadership to Assistant Managers, Group Leaders, Specialists, and Team Members.

Plan and coordinate team staffing, including hiring, placement, scheduling, job rotations, absenteeism tracking, and overtime.

Enforce company rules, policies, and procedures, and apply corrective actions as needed.

Understand and implement conflict resolution processes and escalate appropriately.

Evaluate team performance and recommend disciplinary or development actions.

Foster a positive work environment built on trust, respect, fairness, and open communication.

Drive team motivation with a focus on safety, quality, cost efficiency, and morale.

Manage all facets of quality: customer, in-house, and supplier.

Acquire and maintain relevant certifications.

Support the creation and maintenance of documentation to meet internal, supplier, and customer quality requirements.

Analyze manufacturing and quality processes for improvement and failure modes.

Establish and negotiate quality expectations with customers.

Ensure compliance with both customer and supplier quality standards.

Develop, report, and present quality improvement plans and performance KPIs.

Identify root causes of quality issues and lead countermeasure activities.

Perform quality audits and ensure follow-up actions are executed.

Serve as the primary contact for all internal, supplier, and customer quality concerns.

Create and maintain the Supplier Quality Assurance Manual (SQAM) and related documentation (e.g., QAS, Process Flows, PFMEA, MQC/CP).

Ensure customer-specific quality requirements (e.g., Toyota, Mazda) are fully implemented and documented.

Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.

Skills & Abilities:

In-depth knowledge of quality management systems (e.g., IATF16949, ISO 9001).

Familiarity with inspection tools: Faro Arm, CMM, calipers, micrometers, pin gages, check fixtures, etc.

Understanding of welding processes and related quality checks (e.g., break weld, cut & etch).

Experience with third-party sorting and rework vendors.

Competence in root cause analysis and problem-solving tools (8D, Fishbone, 5-Why, etc.).

Ability to read blueprints, engineering specs, and instruction manuals.

Effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills.

Ability to train and coach others (Job Instruction Training).

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality software (e.g., Minitab, GAGEtrak).

Minimum Qualifications / Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Systems Management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Minimum of 8 years of experience in a manufacturing environment (preferably automotive).

Minimum of 4 years in a managerial role.

Experience with Toyota Production System, Tier 1/Tier 2 automotive environments, and multiple customer interfaces is a plus.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Office and plant environments with moderate noise; PPE may be required.

Must be able to walk, sit, and stand for extended periods; occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.

Must be willing to travel 10–20% of the time.