Plant Quality Manager
About The Position
The Plant Quality Manager (PQM) leads the Fairport site quality function and is a key member of the plant leadership team, accountable for ensuring product quality and customer satisfaction while contributing to overall plant performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and innovation. This role requires a hands-on, results-oriented leader who builds quality into processes—not just inspection—through strong execution of Product Quality Architecture (PQA), structured problem-solving, and Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001 / AS9100 / IATF 16949). The PQM owns plant quality execution including customer satisfaction, supplier quality, internal audits, and non-conforming material, and effective root cause, corrective and preventive actions. This leader also champions a data-driven and digitally enabled quality organization, leveraging real-time metrics, system integration, and emerging AI tools to improve performance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Sciences, Management, or related field
- 7+ years of quality experience, including 3+ years in leadership
- Strong working knowledge of: APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA
- Strong working knowledge of: CAPA and structured problem-solving (5Why, 8D, DMAIC)
- Experience with QMS standards (ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949)
- Proven ability to lead teams and drive accountability across functions
- Strong communication skills with both shop floor teams and senior leadership
- Comfortable working on the shop floor and in operational environments
- Experience using data and metrics to drive decisions (Power BI or similar tools)
Nice To Haves
- Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- ASQ Certification (CQE, CMQ/OE, CQA)
- Experience with statistical tools (Minitab, JMP)
- Experience in precision optics, coatings, or advanced manufacturing
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the plant quality organization, providing coaching, performance management, succession planning, and team development across customer quality, QMS/compliance, and incoming/internal quality functions.
- Own plant quality execution, including customer complaints, CAPA, non-conforming material, RMAs, internal quality issues, and supplier quality, ensuring rapid containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement.
- Drive built-in quality and cross-functional problem solving by partnering with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and operators to improve first-pass yield, strengthen process control, and deploy tools such as PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and error-proofing.
- Lead the plant Quality Management System and audit readiness, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 / AS9100 / IATF 16949, maintaining effective documentation and processes, and successfully supporting internal, customer, and third-party audits.
- Own plant quality metrics and leadership reporting, using KPIs, scorecards, SAP/ETQ/MES/Power BI, and emerging AI tools to reduce scrap, rework, and returns while aligning site performance with division and corporate quality goals.
Benefits
- Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives
- 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions
- Matching contributions to 401(k) savings plan
- Medical, dental, vision
- Paid parental leave
- Family building support
- Fitness
- Company-paid life insurance
- Disability
- Disease management programs
- Paid time off
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Recognition program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
