Quality Auditor

Our client is seeking an experienced Quality Auditor to lead and support quality systems and process audits across our operations in North and South America. This highly visible role is ideal for a quality professional who can look beyond compliance, identify what is driving risk or performance gaps, and partner with site leadership to turn audit findings into sustainable business improvements. The successful candidate will bring strong quality management system expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate candidly and constructively with stakeholders at all levels. In addition to conducting audits, this role will serve as a trusted quality advisor by coaching teams, facilitating problem solving, strengthening audit capability, and helping our sites continuously improve the effectiveness of their Quality Management Systems. Key Responsibilities Audit Leadership & Assessment: • Plan, conduct, lead, and document process and Quality Management System audits across multiple locations in North and South America. • Evaluate objective evidence to determine compliance with standards such as: ISO 9001, ISO 13485, VDA 6.3, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001 and other applicable quality standards and requirements. • Assess the effectiveness and maturity of site quality systems, identify systemic risks and improvement opportunities, and communicate findings clearly to site and business leadership. • Identify problematic areas of site and quality system operations and provide practical recommendations to achieve sustainable improvement. • Monitor audit deviations and corrective actions, providing problem analysis, followup support, and escalation when necessary. • Prepare for and support third-party certification, recertification, and customer audits. Quality Consulting & Continuous Improvement: • Serve as a reliable, candid sounding board for quality-related ideas, strategies, risks, and decisions. • Translate quality standards and regulatory requirements into practical, understandable systems and business solutions. • Advise leadership on quality strategy, risk management, compliance, and Quality Management System implementation and optimization. • Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action processes, including complex problem solving and CAPA effectiveness. • Proactively coach and train teams on quality challenges to support improvements in Quality KPIs and overall business performance: • Use audit insights, KPI trends, and recurring findings to identify broader opportunities for organizational improvement. Standards, Compliance & Quality Culture • Monitor compliance with global standards by validating the effectiveness of Festo’s Quality Management System. • Support certification and recertification activities and maintain knowledge of evolving quality standards, auditing practices, and industry best practices. • Develop and deliver quality systems and auditor training for new auditors and other relevant team members. • Coach and mentor site leadership, auditors, and quality colleagues to strengthen organizational capability. • Build quality awareness and promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement. • Continue to develop personal professional, technical, facilitation, and auditing expertise. • Perform other related duties as required. Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality management, or a related field. • 5+ years of experience in quality management systems, auditing, and/or quality consulting in a manufacturing environment. • Advanced knowledge of the preparation, execution, and documentation of process and system audits, including ISO 19011, ISO 9001, VDA 6.3, and ISO 13485. Experience with additional standards is beneficial. • Strong knowledge of quality management systems, standards, certifications, and methodologies, with demonstrated ability to translate requirements into understandable and sustainable solutions. • Experience working with international and intercultural production sites or organizations. • Advanced knowledge of process management and quality methods such as APQP, VDA RGA, control plans, inspection plans, PDCA, SPC, and continuous improvement methodologies. • Strong problem-solving capability using methods such as CAPA, 8D, 5 Why, A3, and Ishikawa, with a high level of attention to detail. • Ability to understand specification sheets, customer requirements, technical drawings, measurement methods, measurement system accuracy concepts such as VDA 5 and MSA, and geometric product specifications. • Experience analyzing Quality KPIs, trends, recurring findings, and systemic risks. • Advanced training, facilitation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills. • Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills. • Fluent English. Spanish, French, Portuguese, and/or German language skills are an advantage. • Value-oriented, collaborative, candid, and solution-focused approach to work. • Ability to maintain an enterprise-level perspective in a multi-project environment while delivering sustainable, high-quality results. • Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to approximately 40–50%. Preferred Qualifications: • Master’s degree in a related field. • Six Sigma Black Belt certification. • Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) or other relevant auditor/lead auditor certification. • Experience in automation, pneumatics, industrial technology, or a related manufacturing sector. • Change management and/or project management experience. What Success Looks Like: • Audits provide meaningful insight, not simply compliance findings. • Site leaders understand both the requirement and the business impact of identified gaps. • Corrective actions address systemic root causes and demonstrate sustained effectiveness. • Quality systems become more consistent and effective across sites while still supporting local operational needs. • Leaders and teams increasingly view Quality as a trusted business partner and resource for improvement.