Quality Manager

Rotating Machinery Services Quality Manager Shop Environment Chicopee, MA Exempt Full Time ABOUT ROTATING MACHINERY SERVICES Rotating Machinery Services (RMS) was established in 1998 with the vision to reinvent the concept of an aftermarket turbomachinery business. The goal was to provide turbomachinery operators with unparalleled service built on established relationships, solid engineering, and technical expertise backed by responsiveness, competitive pricing, and lead times. RMS's commitment to quality penetrates every aspect of the organization and is the guiding force for all decision-making. With an equal blend of cutting-edge technology, engineering expertise, and skilled craftsmanship, RMS consistently delivers the best possible results for customers. RMS is a nimble organization with a collaborative culture of individuals who come to work every day with a desire to improve upon their craft and further the rotating machinery industry. THE ROLE We are seeking a Quality Manager to join our Quality Assurance/Control team. The Quality Manager is responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and improving RMS's Quality Management programs and processes. This position provides Quality leadership to the site processes to promote and continually improve the quality culture. The Quality Manager shall promote strong employee and customer relationships pertaining to quality compliance. SKILLS REQUIRED ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION - Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and hold colleagues accountable at all levelsfrom the shop floor to senior management. Detail-oriented and process-driven, with the discipline to maintain documentation standards under production schedule pressure. INTERPERSONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED - Skilled communicatorable to present quality data clearly, write concise technical reports, and represent RMS professionally with customers and auditors. Collaborative, solutions-focused mindset; comfortable working in a fast-paced, custom-work environment. Willingness to work on the floor alongside the QC team rather than managing from a distance. QUALITY SYSTEMS, QUALITY CONTROL EXPERIENCE PREFERRED - Knowledge and experience with QMS principles and ISO 9001. Relevant Quality professional qualification PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES Quality Management System Own, maintain, and continuously improve the site Quality Management System in accordance with ISO 9001 and applicable customer/industry standards. Serve as the Management Representative for quality at the Chicopee facility; coordinate internal and external quality audits and management reviews. Develop, issue, and maintain controlled quality documentation: work instructions, inspection plans, standard operating procedures, and quality records. Establish and monitor key quality performance indicators (KPIs), report results to the site leadership on a regular cadence. Drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes, ensuring root-cause analysis is thorough and effective actions are implemented and verified. Manage the calibration program for all measuring and test equipment on site. QC Team Leadership & Inspection Operations Directly supervise the site QC team; schedule workload to support production priorities and on-time delivery. Provide technical direction on inspection methods, measurement techniques, GD&T interpretation, and use of precision measurement equipment (CMM, profilometers, hardness testers, etc.). Oversee first article, in-process, and final inspection activities for precision-machined turbomachinery components (impellers, seals, sleeves, casings, shafts, and related parts). Review and approve inspection reports, first article inspection reports (FAIRs), and material certifications; ensure documentation is complete and traceable before components are released. Lead the nonconformance (NC) disposition process: facilitate MRB reviews, issue NCRs, coordinate rework/repair, and track closure. Train and mentor QC personnel on inspection practices, quality standards, and RMS procedures; identify skills gaps and arrange targeted development. Production & Engineering Collaboration Partner with the Shop Supervision and machinists to resolve quality issues at the source and prevent recurrence; support setup approvals and first-off inspections. Review customer drawings, specifications, and contract quality requirements; translate these into inspection plans and traveler hold-points prior to job release. Collaborate with Engineering to evaluate design-for-manufacturability, identify inspection risk areas, and align on acceptable tolerance interpretation. Participate in project kick-off meetings and work order reviews to identify quality requirements, witness/hold points, and customer-specific needs. Support process qualification activities, including review of special process approvals (heat treatment, NDE, coatings) as they relate to component acceptance. Supplier & Customer Quality Support incoming inspection of purchased materials, raw stock, and subcontracted components; coordinate with purchasing to address supplier nonconformances. Participate in supplier evaluations and audits; maintain records of supplier performance and escalate repeat issues through the CAPA process. Serve as the primary quality point of contact for customer quality representatives, third-party inspectors, and regulatory/certification auditors during shop visits. Respond to customer quality escapes and field complaints: coordinate investigations, prepare formal responses, and communicate resolution timelines. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Key Success Factors: Perceptible culture of Quality Quality costs aligned with business goals. Continued ISO-9001 accreditation. Willingness to "roll-up sleeves" to get the job done vs. delegating up or down the organization. General: The above list of activities is not all-inclusive but rather a general representation of the RMS Quality Manager's requirements. The above list is subject to change based on the company's needs. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS Minimum 7 years of quality assurance/control experience in precision machining, aerospace, power generation, or rotating equipment manufacturing environment. Demonstrated experience leading a QC team and managing a Quality Management System in a job-shop or low-volume, high-complexity production environment. Hands-on experience with CMM operation, precision measurement instruments, and inspection of close-tolerance machined components. Strong background in nonconformance management, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA). Familiarity with turbomachinery components and the associated design, manufacturing, and inspection requirements is strongly preferred. REQUIRED EDUCATION Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Materials Science, or a closely related technical discipline required. Equivalent combination of technical education and directly applicable manufacturing quality experience will be considered. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Technical Knowledge Expert-level ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T per ASME Y14.5. Working knowledge of ISO 9001 requirements; experience as a management system owner or internal/lead auditor. Familiarity with NDE methods (MT, PT, UT, RT) and special processes (heat treatment, coatings) as they apply to component acceptance. Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP/MRP systems and QMS software. Certifications (Preferred) ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager/OE (CMQ/OE), or equivalent. ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification. Work Environment While performing the duties of this position, the employee may work/enter a shop environment with exposure to moving mechanical parts. While the work area may be described as generally clean, safe, and "not loud", there will be machining operations that generate moderate noise.