Quality Assurance Manager

A.W. Chesterton Company•Groveland, MA

17d•$130,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Manager is embedded in the Product Line Production team and is responsible for driving end-of-line quality assurance. The role ensures products meet or exceed customer specifications and expectations, external certification standards, and applicable legislative and regulatory requirements. The manager leads factory-specific implementation of the Chesterton Quality System and initiatives to prevent defects, reduce process variation and waste, and equip production line operators to take responsibility for quality at the source. The position works independently on moderate to complex issues, using data and sound judgment to make decisions and recommendations affecting product quality. It interacts with personnel at all levels, including senior and executive management, customers, suppliers, and certification organizations, and may require travel. This is an on-site role in a manufacturing production environment. Noise exists daily, and the employee may need to wear a respirator. The position leads, coaches, and develops a team; sets direction and priorities; provides performance feedback and reviews; supports employee development; and fosters an inclusive, high-performing environment. The targeted annual pay range is $130,000–$140,000, depending on experience. Hired applicants may be eligible for additional incentive compensation, which is not guaranteed. Employment is contingent on successfully passing a background check and applicable medical surveillance requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 6–8 years of equivalent experience.
Specific experience with manufacturing operations.
Strong business excellence modeling systems.
Excellent leadership, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and management skills.
Comprehensive knowledge of quality tools, systems, and methods.
High degree of interpersonal sensitivity while driving change.
Knowledge of ISO 9001 and other voluntary national and international standards and regulations.
Strong influencing and communication skills.
Ability to independently assess risks and make decisions.
Knowledge of business process design, improvement, and change management.
Strategic planning and development skills.
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Strong tactical abilities with demonstrated results.
Highly self-directed and self-motivated.
Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a proactive, positive, and constructive manner.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, and reach with hands and arms; may be required to lift up to 50 pounds and wear a respirator.

Responsibilities

Manage and lead factory quality activities and assess their overall effectiveness.
Identify and address gaps in quality training and information accuracy that affect line operators’ ability to deliver quality products.
Communicate with customers, suppliers, certification bodies, and agencies about factory-specific quality and compliance issues.
Ensure robust, accurate process-control systems are deployed to identify and correct abnormal processing conditions.
Serve as a subject matter expert and advocate for Chesterton Quality System policies, standards, and requirements.
Involve line operators in developing and implementing factory-specific systems that improve performance under the Chesterton Quality System.
Use performance management practices to address issues that negatively affect the ability to meet quality requirements.
Use data and quality tools to prioritize improvement opportunities and lead effective containment and root-cause corrective actions.
Use quality tools such as cause-and-effect diagrams, flowcharts, check sheets, Pareto diagrams, histograms, control charts, and scatter diagrams to collect and interpret data.
Execute internal audits and lead structured problem-solving to ensure audit findings and observations are addressed.
Ensure factory customer complaints and their resolutions are clearly understood.
Drive supplier performance controls and work with global quality and the Sr. Materials Manager on corrective actions.
Ensure compliance with ISO 9001:2015 standards.
Report factory-specific quality performance and improvement plans monthly.
Create presentations to communicate effectively at all levels of the company.
Execute external audits as needed.
Lead, coach, and develop a team by providing direction, expectations, and updates on priorities and progress.
Provide ongoing performance feedback, conduct performance reviews, and support employee development planning.
Foster an inclusive, engaged, high-performing team environment while embracing Chesterton’s core values.
Ensure the team adheres to company policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
Partner with HR to review and update direct reports’ job descriptions.
Conduct sensitive employee discussions, including compensation-related conversations and disciplinary actions, with sound judgment and professionalism.
Communicate and collaborate across functions, organizational levels, and teams while supporting and driving departmental initiatives.
Maintain consistent, regular, and punctual attendance.

Benefits

“Work Today, get paid tomorrow” access to withdraw up to 30% of earned daily wages the day after working.
Chesterton Student Loan Repayment Program.
BCBS medical coverage.
Delta Dental coverage.
401(k) savings plan with a Chesterton contribution.
PTO including vacation, sick time, 11 paid holidays, and paid time off to volunteer.
Vision insurance.
Tuition reimbursement.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
HSA and FSA options.
Parental leave for mothers and fathers.
“Grandternity” leave for new grandparents.
Hiring referral bonuses up to $3,000 for select roles.
Legal services.
Pet insurance.
Chesterton relief fund for employees in need.
Other fringe benefits.
Potential additional incentive compensation, depending on position level or function and applicable performance factors.