Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance (QA) Manager

DECKED is currently seeking an experienced Quality Assurance (QA) Manager. This position is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and enforcing quality standards across structural assembly, coating/finish, and final fitment operations. Must be highly skilled in building a culture of zero defects through rigorous process control, robust validation, and team leadership.

Essential Job Functions:

• Establishes and maintains line-specific Control Plans, inspection standards, and quality procedures; partners with engineering to provide shop-floor inputs into PFMEAs and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
• Validates specialized manufacturing processes including composite curing, bonding, welding, and paint/coating applications and leads 100% water-leak and seal integrity testing to ensure compliance with dimensional, functional, and aesthetic specifications
• Drives rapid containment and 8D/5-Why root cause investigations for line rejections, scrap spikes, and customer fitment returns to improve First-Pass Yield (FPY) and eliminate waste
• Conducts daily Layered Process Audits (LPAs), line-side product checks, and first-piece/last-piece inspections; tracks localized quality metrics (scrap, rework, defect Pareto charts) for plant leadership
• Enforces QMS document compliance on the shop floor by ensuring current work instructions, quality alerts, and temporary process deviations are posted, trained on, and strictly followed
• Coordinates with Quality, Core Operations to ensure all line specific inspection fixtures, gauges, and testing equipment are properly maintained, verified daily, and kept within scheduled calibration intervals
• Recruits, trains, coaches, and manages the plant QA/QC inspection team; establishes shift expectations, enforces safety standards, and maintains a zero-defect culture across all manufacturing shifts
• Partners with Quality, Core Operations and engineering to immediately log, contain, and escalate incoming raw material defects (e.g., resins, glass, hardware, coatings) to suppliers
• Meets QA financial objectives by estimating requirements; preparing budgets; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions
• Updates job knowledge by studying trends in and developments in quality management; participating in educational opportunities; maintains personal networks; participates in professional organizations.
• Accepts ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; explores opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• BS/BA degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of QA leadership experience in automotive, composite, fiberglass, or heavy manufacturing environments
• Deep understanding of quality core tools (APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC).
• Professional quality certification (e.g., ASQ CQM/OE, CQE, or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt) strongly preferred.
• Experience with Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 standards).
• Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP) to perform Gage R&R, process capability, and data analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, and workflow platforms (e.g., Asana).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills with a hands-on presence on the factory floor.
• Able to travel to meet with suppliers as necessary
• Strong interpersonal skills with exceptional conflict resolution attribute
• Work history that demonstrates a strong work ethic
• Adaptability & stress tolerance
• Team-oriented with a positive attitude and willingness to work hard

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation DOE
• Health, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, and life insurance
• 401k with match
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness
• Free water, decent coffee, nice people
• Vacation