Quality Manager

Our client, an established manufacturer serving the defense and aerospace markets, is seeking a Quality Manager to own and advance its quality program. This leader will be accountable for the company's quality system, maintain its AS9100 and ISO 9001 registrations, and work closely with engineering, production, and customer-facing teams to deliver products that are reliable, consistent, and built to specification.

What You'll Do

Quality System Ownership

• Act as the company's top quality authority and the designated leader of the quality system.
• Plan and manage all registrar activity, including initial certification, surveillance, and recertification audits, as well as the internal audit program.
• Keep procedures, work instructions, forms, and quality records current and effective.
• Make sure operations meet AS9100 and ISO 9001 requirements, customer contract terms, and applicable regulations.
• Run management review meetings and keep corrective action and improvement efforts on track.

Problem Solving & Improvement

• Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action for internal and customer-reported issues.
• Track quality performance data, spot trends, and turn findings into action plans.
• Build a quality roadmap that aligns with company growth and operational goals.
• Find opportunities to improve efficiency, product performance, and the customer experience.
• Help identify and reduce risk across products, processes, and the supply base.

Product & Production Quality

• Verify that products conform to internal, customer, and industry standards.
• Participate in new product introduction through design reviews, validation, and qualification.
• Evaluate inspection, testing, and production methods for effectiveness and compliance.
• Manage nonconforming product, customer complaints, and product returns.
• Partner with engineering and operations to fix quality problems and strengthen process capability.
• Supervise, mentor, and grow the quality team.
• Set departmental objectives and hold the team accountable to clear performance standards.
• Handle hiring, training, performance reviews, and professional development for quality staff.
• Champion a quality-first, customer-focused mindset across the entire organization.

Communication

• Report quality results, audit outcomes, and improvement progress to executive leadership.
• Serve as the main point of contact on quality matters for registrars, customers, suppliers, and government or regulatory representatives.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of progressive experience in quality management within manufacturing
• 2+ years in a supervisory or leadership role
• Hands-on experience managing a certified quality system (required)
• A bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or a related technical discipline is a plus
• AS9100 or ISO internal auditor or lead auditor credentials are a plus
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality system requirements
• Strong skills in root cause analysis, CAPA, SPC, and continuous improvement tools
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, inspection methods, and quality assurance fundamentals
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Clear communicator and effective leader
• Comfortable working in ERP systems and Microsoft Office