Quality Engineering Manager

Key Technology in Walla Walla, WA is a worldwide leader in food processing technology. As a global industrial manufacturing company, our ongoing innovations provide increased control, continuous processing, sorting, automated inspection, specialized conveying, and grading and sizing, in processed fruits and vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, fresh-cut produce and more.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the organization's quality assurance and quality/reliability engineering functions to ensure products, processes, and systems consistently meet customer requirements, regulatory standards, and company objectives. This role drives continuous improvement initiatives, oversees quality management systems, manages quality engineering resources, and collaborates cross-functionally to improve product quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Quality Management

• Develop, implement, and own the effectiveness of the company's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Establish quality objectives, metrics, and reporting processes to monitor performance.
• Lead internal and external quality audits and support certification activities.

Quality Engineering

• Lead the engineering team in product and process quality improvement initiatives.
• Develop inspection, testing, validation, and acceptance criteria for products and processes.
• Utilize quality tools and methodologies including:
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Control Plans and Process Control
• Six Sigma and Lean methodologies
• Review engineering changes and assess quality impacts.

Field Performance & Warranty Management

• Monitor product performance in the field.
• Develop systems to collect and analyze warranty and service data.
• Build maturity through establishing a closed loop process connecting field failures and warranty claims to RCA, CAPA and Process Controls/Improvement tools
• Identify systemic failures and lead corrective action initiatives.
• Work with Service and Customer Support teams to improve product uptime and customer satisfaction.
• Reduce warranty expenditures through proactive reliability improvements.

Customer Quality

• Serve as the primary escalation point for major customer quality concerns.
• Lead investigations into customer complaints and warranty issues.
• Coordinate corrective action plans and ensure timely resolution.
• Strengthen customer relationships through effective communication and continuous quality improvement.

Supplier Quality

• Partner with Supply Chain and Procurement teams to improve supplier quality performance and to establish a PPAP process for suppliers.
• Establish supplier quality requirements and performance metrics.
• Lead supplier audits and corrective action activities.
• Evaluate and approve supplier quality systems and processes.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Analyze quality data and identify opportunities to improve processes and reduce defects.
• Lead cross-functional teams focused on improving quality, safety, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Promote the use of quality tools and best practices across operations and engineering teams.

Leadership & Development

• Recruit, develop, and mentor quality team personnel.
• Set departmental goals aligned with corporate objectives.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources.
• Foster collaboration between engineering, operations, supply chain, sales, and customer service teams.
• Drive a culture of problem solving and continuous improvement as part of Operations Staff

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Engineering, Reliability Engineering or a related technical field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in quality engineering, quality assurance, or manufacturing engineering.
• 3-5+ years of leadership or management experience.
• Experience within manufacturing, industrial equipment, food processing equipment, or related industries preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of quality management systems and industry standards.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and other applicable quality standards.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience with quality statistics and data analysis tools.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, welding, fabrication, machining, assembly, and supplier quality management is preferred.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Certified Quality Manager (CQM)
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• ASQ certifications

Why Work at Key Technology?

• Key Technology offers a competitive benefits package for all full-time employees, including:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA), when allowed by tax law
• Paid life insurance and disability insurance, with options to purchase additional coverage
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Optional coverages: Long-term Care, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Educational Assistance reimbursement
• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 10 paid holidays annually

Employment with Key Technology is contingent upon successfully completing a pre-employment drug screen, criminal history, social security, and reference check. Key Technology is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer. In addition to federal law requirements, Key Technology complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process should contact the Human Resources Department to request accommodation. Key Technology participates in E-Verify.