Manager, Quality (Hybrid)

ScottsMiracle-Gro • Marysville, OH

26d • Hybrid

About The Position

The LGOR (Lawns, Gardens, Ortho, Roundup) Quality Manager drives quality excellence by leading complex vendor programs and providing cross-functional leadership across the manufacturing network. The role is the primary quality owner for contract manufacturing sites and leads vendor quality programs that include audits, score-carding, and monthly performance stewardship. It also provides dotted-line quality oversight and strategic direction to three internal manufacturing facilities focused on injection molding, fertilizer, and seed.

The position works across external vendors, cross-functional teams, and plant operations. It supports new product commercialization and R&D, including participation in project meetings, oversight of product trials, and establishing quality standards early in the launch process. The role may require domestic travel up to 40%.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in science or engineering.
• 7–10 years of experience preferred.
• Quality or operations experience preferred.
• Proven experience managing external vendors and contract manufacturing operations, including performance score-carding, site audits, and monthly continuous-improvement efforts.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and make decisions when information is incomplete or reporting paths are unclear.
• Demonstrated initiative, urgency, autonomy, and ability to drive tasks forward.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical information and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Practical data-analysis skills, including organizing and interpreting large datasets and drawing actionable business insights.
• Auditing experience to assess internal and external compliance, identify improvements, and drive corrective actions.
• Experience developing, standardizing, and delivering quality training and procedures across matrixed or cross-functional teams.
• Practical manufacturing experience, preferably in process-oriented environments such as injection molding or fertilizer, or with external contract manufacturing operations.
• Willingness to travel up to 40% to domestic sites.

Nice To Haves

• ISO certification or experience.
• Six Sigma certification or experience.
• ASQ certification.
• Quality or operations experience.
• Manufacturing experience in injection molding, fertilizer, or external contract manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly vendor performance meetings and comprehensive vendor audits, including site, laboratory, and traceability audits.
• Validate vendor Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) and manage new supplier qualifications.
• Provide dotted-line quality oversight to internal manufacturing sites and contract manufacturers through regular biweekly reviews.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for site issues, write product waivers, and develop and implement control plans.
• Review quality data to identify defect trends and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage strategic projects, such as mold management programs, and conduct periodic store audits.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings for upcoming product launches, oversee R&D trials, and establish quality standards early in commercialization.
• Support internal manufacturing, contract manufacturing sites, and audits through domestic travel as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible family members.
• Wellness reimbursement program.
• 401(k) match of up to 7.5%.
• 15% discount on company stock.
• Access to Maven Family Planning and up to $30,000 for adoption, fertility, and surrogacy.
• Employee Resource Groups focused on diversity and inclusion, family, education, and sustainability.
• Community service and volunteerism opportunities.
• Corporate bonus program; this role is incentive eligible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager