Quality Assurance Manager

Microtech Knives • Fletcher, NC

3d

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Manager leads quality assurance and quality control across multiple manufacturing facilities. The role develops and maintains standardized inspection procedures, oversees quality checks from incoming materials through final products, and ensures manufactured components meet engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances, product specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal standards. It also maintains oversight of inspection equipment, calibration programs, and measurement system reliability.

The manager leads root-cause investigations and corrective and preventive actions, analyzes scrap, rework, defects, and first-pass yield, and works with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations to improve processes and efficiency. The position uses Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, statistical process control, automation, and other improvement approaches to advance measurable quality objectives.

The role supervises, trains, and develops quality personnel across multiple locations, establishes performance expectations, and promotes a proactive quality culture. It provides technical oversight for CNC-machined component inspection, including interpretation of drawings and GD&T and guidance on CMM operations and precision measurement tools. The manager also supports supplier quality, new product introductions, quality system documentation, reporting, and internal and external audits.

The position requires travel between manufacturing locations in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, up to 25% as business needs require. Microtech Knives describes itself as an established American manufacturer focused on innovation, precision, and craftsmanship. Eligible employees may have access to company-sponsored benefits; specific benefits, eligibility, and plan provisions vary by position and are governed by company policies and benefit plan documents.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing Technology, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• At least five years of progressive quality assurance or quality control experience in CNC machining, precision manufacturing, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising or managing quality inspection personnel.
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining operations, precision manufacturing processes, and dimensional inspection practices.
• Working knowledge of CMM operations, programming, setup, and inspection methods.
• Proficiency in interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, GD&T, and dimensional tolerances.
• Experience using precision measurement equipment, including calipers, micrometers, and gauges.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, ISO quality principles, SPC, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action methodologies.
• Ability to analyze quality data, identify trends, and develop sustainable process improvements.
• Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and quality reporting systems.
• Ability to travel between manufacturing locations in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, up to 25% as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

• Professional quality certification such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, or another recognized ASQ certification.
• Experience implementing or improving quality management systems in multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing, process capability studies, and advanced quality improvement methodologies.
• Previous experience in the knife, cutlery, or high-precision component manufacturing industry.
• Experience supporting new product development and production launches.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized quality assurance and inspection procedures across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Oversee quality control throughout manufacturing, including incoming materials, in-process inspections, and final product inspections.
• Ensure components meet engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances, product specifications, regulatory requirements, internal standards, and manufacturing procedures.
• Establish consistent inspection methods and acceptance criteria across production locations.
• Monitor quality performance; identify nonconforming products; and ensure timely containment, documentation, and resolution.
• Maintain oversight of inspection equipment, calibration programs, and measurement system reliability.
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurring quality issues.
• Analyze scrap, rework, defect rates, and first-pass yield to identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations to improve production processes, product consistency, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Apply continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and statistical process control (SPC).
• Identify opportunities to improve inspection efficiency through automation, technology, and process standardization.
• Develop and monitor quality performance indicators and measurable improvement objectives.
• Lead, supervise, train, and develop quality inspectors, technicians, and other assigned quality personnel across multiple locations.
• Set departmental expectations, performance standards, and accountability measures; conduct evaluations, coach employees, and identify development opportunities.
• Promote a quality culture focused on precision, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with production leadership to resolve quality concerns while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and product integrity.
• Ensure inspection personnel are trained in measurement techniques, inspection procedures, and quality documentation.
• Interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, GD&T, and technical specifications; oversee precision measurement and inspection of CNC-machined components.
• Provide technical guidance on CMM operations, programming, setup, and inspection applications.
• Ensure proper use of calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other dimensional inspection tools.
• Work with Engineering and Manufacturing to address dimensional variation, machining defects, and process capability concerns.
• Support new product introductions by reviewing inspection requirements, quality expectations, and manufacturing readiness.
• Work with Purchasing and Engineering to establish supplier quality expectations and acceptance standards; monitor incoming materials and supplier performance.
• Conduct supplier evaluations and audits as necessary, investigate supplier quality concerns, coordinate corrective actions, and seek to reduce material-related defects.
• Develop, maintain, and improve QMS documentation, policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Ensure accurate inspection, nonconformance, corrective-action, and other quality documentation, and maintain auditable records.
• Prepare and present quality reports, trends, and improvement initiatives to executive leadership.
• Establish departmental goals and track progress toward quality and operational objectives.
• Support internal and external quality audits as required.
• Travel between manufacturing locations in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, up to 25% as business needs require.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, subject to applicable policies and plan provisions.
• Retirement savings opportunities through a 401(k) plan for eligible employees, subject to applicable policies and plan provisions.
• Paid time off and applicable paid holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement.
• A collaborative environment focused on quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

What This Job Offers

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