Plant Quality Manager

Requisition Number: 75296

The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.


Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what's possible.


How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations - not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.


At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.


Come break through with us.


Corning's businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with:

• Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
• Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
• Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
• Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
• Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
• Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions

Role Purpose

The Plant Quality Manager (PQM) leads the Fairport site quality function and is a key member of the plant leadership team, accountable for ensuring product quality and customer satisfaction while contributing to overall plant performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and innovation.

This role requires a hands-on, results-oriented leader who builds quality into processes-not just inspection-through strong execution of Product Quality Architecture (PQA), structured problem-solving, and Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001 / AS9100 / IATF 16949).

The PQM owns plant quality execution including customer satisfaction, supplier quality, internal audits, and non-conforming material, and effective root cause, corrective and preventive actions. This leader also champions a data-driven and digitally enabled quality organization, leveraging real-time metrics, system integration, and emerging AI tools to improve performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the plant quality organization , providing coaching, performance management, succession planning, and team development across customer quality, QMS/compliance, and incoming/internal quality functions.
• Own plant quality execution , including customer complaints, CAPA, non-conforming material, RMAs, internal quality issues, and supplier quality, ensuring rapid containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement.
• Drive built-in quality and cross-functional problem solving by partnering with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and operators to improve first-pass yield, strengthen process control, and deploy tools such as PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and error-proofing.
• Lead the plant Quality Management System and audit readiness , ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 / AS9100 / IATF 16949, maintaining effective documentation and processes, and successfully supporting internal, customer, and third-party audits.
• Own plant quality metrics and leadership reporting , using KPIs, scorecards, SAP/ETQ/MES/Power BI, and emerging AI tools to reduce scrap, rework, and returns while aligning site performance with division and corporate quality goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sciences, Management, or related field
• 7+ years of quality experience, including 3+ years in leadership
• Strong working knowledge of:



• APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA
• CAPA and structured problem-solving (5Why, 8D, DMAIC)



• Experience with QMS standards (ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949)
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive accountability across functions
• Strong communication skills with both shop floor teams and senior leadership
• Comfortable working on the shop floor and in operational environments
• Experience using data and metrics to drive decisions (Power BI or similar tools)

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• ASQ Certification (CQE, CMQ/OE, CQA)
• Experience with statistical tools (Minitab, JMP)
• Experience in precision optics, coatings, or advanced manufacturing

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $134,306.00 - $184,671.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.


A job that shapes a life.

Corning offers you the total package.

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
• As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning's total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
• Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
• Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That's why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.

We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at [email protected].