Quality Assurance Manager

KHS is a subsidiary of Salzgitter AG. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of filling and packaging systems for beverages and liquid food we are a world-class player. Our customers have trusted in our passionate pioneering spirit and first-class technologies for over 150 years. However, we can only remain world class if we continue to find new employees who make just as high demands of themselves and the quality of their work as our customers make of us at KHS. Are you one of them?

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading, developing, and continuously improving the quality assurance function at KHS USA. This role ensures that equipment, components, materials, processes, and finished goods consistently meet internal quality standards, customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and applicable industry standards. The position provides strategic and operational leadership for the Quality Management System, drives a culture of quality and continuous improvement, and ensures effective prevention, detection, investigation, and resolution of quality issues.

Your Responsibilities:

• Quality Management System: Maintain, and continuously improve the Quality Management System, including ISO 9001 processes, internal procedures, documentation, and related training requirements.
• Quality Strategy and Objectives: Define, implement, and monitor quality objectives based on KHS global and local goals; lead quality initiatives and ensure consistent execution across the organization.
• Standards, Methods, and Processes: Develop and implement standards and methods for inspection, testing, evaluation, and release of raw materials, components, assemblies, and finished equipment.
• Inspection and Testing: Plan and oversee analysis, inspection, and testing activities to verify product conformity with quality standards and customer specifications.
• Nonconformity and Corrective Action: Lead the response to nonconformities, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and ensure consistent application of best practices across departments.
• Customer Complaints: Investigate and respond to customer complaints related to quality; communicate effectively with customers, employees, and internal stakeholders on quality matters.
• Regulatory and Industry Compliance: Maintain working knowledge of applicable government and industry quality codes and standards, including ASME and CRN requirements for pressure vessels where applicable.
• Audits and ISO Program Management: Plan and manage ISO-related processes, internal audits, audit preparation, audit findings, and follow-up actions in collaboration with department leaders.
• Supplier Quality: Work with Purchasing to qualify new suppliers, support supplier audits, evaluate supplier performance, and provide quality-related input on materials, parts, and assemblies.
• Quality Reporting and Metrics: Monitor quality performance, analyze significant issues or deviations, Cost of Quality, and report findings, trends, and corrective actions to management.
• Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with continuous improvement teams on productivity and quality improvement methods such as value stream mapping, process mapping, Lean Manufacturing, and related initiatives.
• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, train, and develop quality inspectors, quality engineers, and other quality personnel; promote accountability, technical competence, and a proactive quality mindset.

Your Profile:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in quality assurance, quality management, or manufacturing quality within an industrial environment.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience demonstrated within a quality function, including responsibility for teams, audits, corrective actions, metrics, and improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, particularly ISO 9001, including internal audit programs and process-based quality management.
• Hands-on experience using enterprise systems (preferably SAP / SAP QM module) for quality tracking, lot control, non-conformance logging, and reporting.
• Proven experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methods such as 5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa, 8D, Lean, or Six Sigma.
• Experience with supplier qualification, supplier audits, and supplier performance evaluation.
• Ability to analyze quality data, identify trends, prepare management reports, and recommend effective improvement actions.
• Knowledge of relevant technical, regulatory, and industry standards, including ASME and CRN requirements, is preferred.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance offered at 30 days of employment
• Generous Educational Reimbursement program
• Company sponsored Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Ten (10) Paid Holidays per year
• 401K with Company Match

In order to ensure our success in the future, too, we need first-class employees - and we also have plenty to offer them.