Quality Assurance Manager

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Under the ownership of Bain Capital, ATW Truck Equipment has become a leading manufacturer of professional truck bodies and equipment serving commercial, fleet, and vocational markets across North America. Our portfolio includes industry-leading brands such as CM Truck Beds and Dakota Bodies, which together offer one of the most comprehensive product platforms in the truck equipment industry—including flatbeds, service bodies, dump bodies, and other vocational truck solutions. Our team members are part of a dynamic environment, building upon several years of strong year-over-year growth, creating a fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture.

With strong brand recognition, an extensive distribution network, and a commitment to product innovation, ATW Truck Equipment is positioned for continued growth across multiple end markets. As we expand our business, we are seeking a Quality Manager to maintain and improve upon our systems and processes to ensure we offer a best-in-class product.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality Manager is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving the quality management system across all stages of truck body manufacturing, from incoming raw materials and components through fabrication, welding, paint, assembly, and final inspection prior to shipment. This role ensures that every truck body, platform, dump body, flatbed, or specialty unit leaving the facility meets customer specifications, industry standards, and applicable DOT/FMVSS regulatory requirements.

The Quality Manager leads a team of inspectors and quality technicians, partners closely with Production, Engineering, and Purchasing, and serves as the primary point of contact for customer quality concerns, warranty trends, and supplier corrective action.

Reports to: Director of OPEX

Location: Madill, OK (preferred) or Addison, TX

Travel: Up to 25%

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement, and maintain the company's quality management system (QMS), including documented procedures, work instructions, inspection criteria, and forms, in alignment with ISO 9001 or equivalent standards.

• Oversee in-process and final inspection of truck bodies and subassemblies, including dimensional checks, weld quality, structural integrity, paint/finish quality, electrical and hydraulic system function, and DOT lighting/reflective compliance.

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action (CAPA, 8D, 5-Why, fishbone) for internal nonconformances, customer complaints, and field/warranty returns; track effectiveness of corrective actions over time.

• Manage incoming material and supplier quality, including receiving inspection criteria, supplier scorecards, supplier corrective action requests (SCARs), and qualification of new vendors and steel/aluminum suppliers.

• Maintain calibration program for measuring and test equipment (calipers, tape measures, paint thickness gauges, torque wrenches, etc.) and ensure all gauges are within calibration.

• Track, analyze, and report quality metrics (scrap, rework, first-pass yield, warranty rate, customer PPM, cost of quality) to plant leadership and recommend data-driven improvement initiatives.

• Lead or support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives (Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma) aimed at reducing defects, rework, and cycle time in the body shop and assembly areas.

• Conduct internal audits of production processes, weld procedures, and documentation practices; coordinate external audits with customers, certifying bodies, and registrars.

• Serve as the primary liaison for customer-reported quality issues and warranty claims, including dealer and fleet customer communication, disposition of returned parts, and trend analysis.

• Train and mentor inspectors, welders, and assembly personnel on quality standards, inspection techniques, blueprint reading, and use of measurement tools.

• Ensure compliance with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), DOT regulations, and any state-specific weight/dimension requirements relevant to truck body construction.

• Maintain document control for engineering drawings, bills of material, weld procedure specifications (WPS), and revision history.

• Participate in new product introduction (NPI) and engineering change reviews to identify quality risks before they reach production.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Quality Management, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and manufacturing experience.

• 5+ years of progressive quality experience in a metal fabrication, welding, or heavy equipment/truck manufacturing environment; 2+ years in a quality leadership or supervisory role.

• Strong working knowledge of welding processes (MIG/GMAW, FCAW) and the ability to read and interpret welding symbols and weld procedure specifications.

• Proficiency with quality tools and methodologies: root cause analysis, FMEA, SPC, control plans, and corrective action systems.

• Experience with ISO 9001 quality systems, including internal auditing and documentation control.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and bills of material.

• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams on the shop floor.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and quality/ERP software systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification.

• Direct experience in truck body, trailer, or commercial vehicle upfit manufacturing.

• Familiarity with DOT/FMVSS lighting and marking requirements as applied to truck bodies.

• Experience with CMM, laser measurement, or other advanced dimensional inspection equipment.

• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Primarily based in a manufacturing/plant environment with regular exposure to noise, dust, welding fumes, and varying temperatures.

• Frequent walking and standing throughout the production floor; occasional climbing onto truck chassis or bodies for inspection.

• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. occasionally and use standard personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toed boots.

• Some travel may be required for supplier audits, customer visits, or training.