Manager, Quality

JB Poindexter • Elkhart, IN

77d

About The Position

The position is responsible for establishing a corporate Quality Assurance System that defines and drives organizational Quality Direction. The role involves coordinating with quality leaders across all Truck Accessories Group (TAG) facilities to promote customer satisfaction and enhance financial performance. The individual will develop, implement, manage, and integrate a Quality Management System (QMS) for manufacturing plants based on ISO 9001 requirements. The position also champions defect reduction and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen quality processes and ensure an effective, data-driven QMS. Additionally, the role includes implementing and managing a comprehensive set of Quality Metrics across all TAG facilities with a structured monthly reporting process to ensure compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement. The individual will lead quality improvement activities based on data-driven insights to elevate product performance and educate and train employees in the use of proven quality tools and methodologies that reinforce operational excellence and a culture of continuous improvement.

Requirements

• BS/BA in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Business Administration.
• 10+ years of experience in QA systems implementation and management, with 5 years as a CQE/CQM in a medium-sized manufacturing environment, familiarity with composite materials industries a plus.
• Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, and/or OPEX techniques.
• Proven track record of business performance improvement.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Broad knowledge of the theory and principles of statistics and statistical process control.
• Experience in designing and implementing quality systems.
• Diverse knowledge of inspection and control methods, techniques, and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Strong computer skills, including quality control applications, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• "Figuring it out" aptitude with the ability to provide direction unaided by senior management.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekend and/or evening work.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment while balancing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Thorough understanding of general safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Operations function across all LEER and TAG facilities, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and business priorities.
• Establish, communicate, and execute quality strategies, goals, and performance objectives to achieve measurable improvements in product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Provide leadership and direction through managers and staff, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement functional business plans that align with corporate growth strategies and operational excellence.
• Develop, manage, and administer the organization's quality assurance and control systems, policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with internal, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee manufacturing and production quality plans to meet defined quality criteria and legal requirements.
• Lead the migration toward a uniform, measurable, and auditable quality system across all facilities.
• Maintain documentation, procedures, and standards that ensure consistent product quality and regulatory compliance.
• Utilize statistical analysis and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, TPS) to identify and address process inefficiencies.
• Establish and manage uniform processes for inspection, testing, corrective actions, and sustainable problem-solving.
• Drive initiatives to improve first-pass yield, reduce warranty, and rework costs, and enhance postproduction quality, including shipping damage and dealer returns.
• Implement a corporate quality metric reporting system to monitor trends, track progress, and identify areas for improvement.
• Champion defect reduction, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer experience and product reliability.
• Lead programs to maintain and improve the quality of existing products and services while fostering employee engagement in quality improvement.
• Direct and oversee the investigation and resolution of customer complaints, ensuring timely corrective and preventive actions.
• Function as the primary contact for all quality- and customer-related legal and compliance matters.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with internal stakeholders, plant leaders, and functional heads to drive a unified approach to quality.
• Collaborate with senior management to establish consistent quality standards, inspection protocols, and performance expectations.
• Manage corporate warranty administration, ensuring alignment with quality performance metrics and continuous improvement efforts.
• Ensure consistent communication of quality performance, improvement plans, and results across all organizational levels.
• Oversee the development and delivery of training programs focused on quality tools, standards, and continuous improvement practices.
• Mentor and develop quality professionals across multiple sites, promoting knowledge sharing and operational consistency.
• Foster a culture of empowerment, ownership, and accountability throughout the quality organization.

Benefits

• Travel estimated at 60%.
• Work performed in both office and factory settings.
• Exposure to shop environments such as noise, dust, odors, and fumes.
• Occasionally required to lift 40 lbs.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about facilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees