Quality Control Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Quality Control Manager
Department: Quality
Reports To: General Manager
Location: Anaheim, CA
Effective/Revision Date: October 2026

Role Purpose

The Quality Control Manager is responsible for providing effective leadership, direction, and daily oversight of the Quality Control department to ensure consistent execution of inspection activities, product conformance, and support of manufacturing operations.

This position is accountable for establishing clear departmental priorities, organizing and directing daily work, supervising and developing Quality Control personnel, and maintaining consistent processes, communication, and performance expectations. The Quality Control Manager is expected to maintain an active presence in the department, proactively address operational challenges, and ensure employees have the direction, resources, and support necessary to perform their responsibilities effectively.

Working collaboratively with Production, Engineering, and other departments, this role promotes a structured, accountable, and team-oriented work environment while ensuring quality requirements and operational objectives are consistently met.

Scope & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Department Leadership & Daily Supervision

• Provide consistent, hands-on leadership and daily supervision of Quality Control personnel, ensuring employees receive clear direction, guidance, and support.
• Establish and communicate daily work priorities, departmental expectations, and performance objectives to ensure alignment with production schedules and quality requirements.
• Organize, assign, and monitor daily inspection activities to ensure work is completed accurately, efficiently, and within required timelines.
• Maintain regular communication with employees regarding work assignments, priorities, challenges, and departmental performance.
• Monitor employee productivity, work quality, attendance, and adherence to established procedures, addressing concerns promptly and consistently.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, training, and development to strengthen employee capabilities, independence, and job performance.
• Conduct employee performance evaluations and address performance deficiencies through appropriate coaching and corrective action in coordination with Human Resources.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and effective communication within the department.
• Identify and address gaps in departmental organization, workflow, staffing, and employee training to improve operational consistency.
• Maintain an active presence in inspection and manufacturing areas to provide support, assess workflow, and ensure established expectations are being followed.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, cross-training, and employee development activities to maintain a capable and reliable Quality Control team.

Quality Control Operations & Workflow Management

• Manage and coordinate daily Quality Control and inspection operations to support manufacturing priorities, customer requirements, and delivery commitments.
• Establish and maintain organized workflows, clear work assignments, and consistent inspection practices across the department.
• Assign and prioritize incoming, in-process, final, first article, and other required inspection activities based on production needs and available resources.
• Monitor inspection progress, workload distribution, and departmental capacity, adjusting assignments and priorities as necessary.
• Ensure manufactured products are inspected in accordance with engineering drawings, customer specifications, work instructions, inspection plans, and applicable quality requirements.
• Review inspection results and quality documentation for accuracy, completeness, traceability, and conformance to established requirements.
• Oversee First Article Inspection (FAI/FAIR) activities and related documentation as applicable.
• Ensure inspection equipment and measuring devices are appropriate for intended use, properly maintained, and within required calibration status.
• Coordinate calibration needs and support established calibration processes.
• Identify workflow delays, inspection backlogs, and operational constraints and take appropriate action to maintain departmental effectiveness.
• Ensure departmental procedures, documentation requirements, safety standards, and company policies are consistently followed.

Department Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor departmental performance expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inspection efficiency, accuracy, workload, and quality performance.
• Review departmental performance and inspection results to identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Implement practical improvements to inspection processes, workflow organization, communication, and employee effectiveness.
• Address recurring operational issues by identifying contributing factors, developing corrective actions, and monitoring results.
• Support root-cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement initiatives related to product quality and inspection processes.
• Develop, maintain, and improve inspection procedures, work instructions, forms, and Quality Control practices in coordination with appropriate Quality and Engineering personnel.
• Provide regular updates to management regarding departmental performance, staffing needs, operational challenges, and improvement initiatives.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Quality Compliance

• Work closely with Production, Engineering, Operations, and other departments to coordinate inspection priorities, resolve quality concerns, and support manufacturing requirements.
• Communicate inspection findings, quality issues, workload constraints, and potential delivery risks in a timely and professional manner.
• Coordinate the identification, segregation, documentation, and disposition process for nonconforming material and products in accordance with established procedures and approval authority.
• Support Material Review Board (MRB) activities and ensure appropriate communication and follow-through on assigned actions.
• Assist in resolving drawing, specification, workmanship, and product-conformance issues in coordination with Engineering and Production.
• Support customer, registrar, regulatory, and internal audits by ensuring inspection records and supporting documentation are accurate, organized, and available.
• Ensure departmental compliance with applicable AS9100, ISO 9001, customer, regulatory, safety, and company requirements.
• Maintain accurate quality records in accordance with document-control and retention requirements.
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout Quality Control and manufacturing operations.
• Maintain confidentiality of customer, company, employee, and technical information.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support business needs.

Work Experience & Skills

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Management, or a related discipline preferred. An equivalent combination of relevant technical education, manufacturing experience, and demonstrated supervisory or management experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of progressive Quality Control, inspection, or quality manufacturing experience.
• Prior supervisory or management experience with direct responsibility for leading employees, assigning work, managing daily operations, and monitoring performance required.
• Demonstrated ability to establish structure, organize departmental workflows, communicate expectations, and provide consistent daily supervision in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience coaching employees, addressing performance concerns, and developing effective, accountable teams.
• Experience in precision manufacturing, aerospace, defense, machining, or sheet metal fabrication strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and applicable quality management requirements preferred.

Skills / Knowledge:

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to provide clear direction, establish expectations, and maintain accountability.
• Effective planning, organization, delegation, and workload management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate resources, and maintain operational consistency in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide constructive feedback, resolve conflicts, and collaborate across departments.
• Ability to recognize operational challenges, make sound decisions, and implement practical solutions.
• Strong knowledge of inspection methods, precision measuring equipment, engineering drawings, GD&T, First Article Inspection requirements, nonconforming material control, calibration, and quality documentation.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and applicable quality management, ERP, and business systems.

Personal Attributes:

A hands-on, organized, dependable, and results-oriented leader who provides clear direction, maintains consistent expectations, and follows through on commitments. Demonstrates confidence, sound judgment, professionalism, and accountability while remaining approachable and supportive of employees.

Possesses the ability to establish structure, motivate employees, address challenges promptly, and maintain a positive, productive work environment. Leads by example, communicates effectively, and balances employee development, quality requirements, and manufacturing priorities.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments, with regular presence on the production floor and in inspection areas. The position requires frequent standing and walking, regular computer use, and the ability to sit, reach, bend, and stoop during normal duties.

The employee may use or observe precision measuring equipment and may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, noise, metal chips or burrs, coolants, oils, and other conditions typical of a precision manufacturing environment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required in designated areas. Specific lifting requirements have not been established for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compliance Statements

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran

ITAR Requirements

This position may include access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.