Plant Quality Manager

A growing automotive supplier in Upstate South Carolina is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead plant-level quality performance in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

You'll take ownership of quality results across the plant, drive measurable improvement in scrap and defect performance, and build stronger accountability within the quality team and across operations.
What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the plant quality function across engineers, supervisors, technicians, and inspectors
• Own and improve key quality metrics including scrap, PPM, rework, first-pass yield, and customer complaints
• Drive structured problem-solving efforts and ensure corrective actions are implemented, validated, and sustained
• Partner closely with production to address internal quality issues and prevent defects from reaching the customer
• Manage customer concerns, containment actions, and corrective responses
• Support and lead IATF 16949 audits and ensure compliance with customer and industry standards
• Identify gaps in team performance and build stronger accountability across the department
• Develop the quality team through coaching, clear expectations, and performance management
• Use data and trend analysis to prioritize issues and drive continuous improvement

What Success Looks Like

• Reduction in scrap, defects, and repeat quality issues
• Stronger ownership and accountability within the quality team
• More effective and timely corrective actions
• Improved collaboration between quality and production
• Consistent execution of quality systems and processes across the plant

What We're Looking For

• Experience in high-volume automotive manufacturing environments
• Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949 and plant-level quality systems
• Proven track record of improving quality KPIs in a measurable way
• Hands-on approach to root cause analysis and corrective action
• Experience leading a quality team and driving accountability across engineers and supervisors
• Ability to work cross-functionally with production, engineering, and other plant functions
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence plant-level decisions

The Opportunity

This is a key leadership role within the plant with direct responsibility for how quality is executed day to day.

You'll work closely with plant leadership to improve performance, strengthen accountability, and ensure issues are addressed with clear ownership and follow-through. The role offers a high level of visibility and autonomy, with the ability to influence both immediate plant performance and longer-term direction.

Great fit for someone who wants to take ownership, strengthen culture, drive improvements, and play a meaningful role in operational performance.