Quality Assurance Manager

PAULO PRODUCTS COMPANY•St. Louis, MO

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Paulo Plant Quality Assurance Manager leads the quality function by overseeing both Quality Assurance (system-level compliance, preventive actions, and continuous improvement) and Quality Control (inspection, testing, and conformance decisions) at the facility. This role is responsible for ensuring that all processes and materials meet or exceed customer, regulatory, and internal requirements. The Plant Quality Assurance Manager applies in-depth knowledge of quality assurance standards and procedures to guarantee compliance across all materials processed. As a technical and cultural leader, this position mentors the quality team, collaborates with cross-functional departments, and represents the plant to customers and auditors, acting as the voice of the customer within the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a technical or related discipline (e.g., engineering, metallurgy) or equivalent experience.
5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in the automotive or aerospace industries.
Demonstrated expertise in balancing Quality Assurance and Quality Control functions, including testing protocols, inspection practices, and system-level compliance.
Proven experience with Quality Management Systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AS 9100, IATF 16949, CQI-9, and/or NADCAP.
Skilled in internal auditing, risk analysis, and corrective action follow-up, with a solid understanding of effective corrective action closure processes.
Proficient in digital quality tracking and reporting tools, including PICS, Power BI, SharePoint, and familiar with platforms like Salesforce and Excel for analytics.
Experienced in coaching, mentoring, and leading technical teams, with a track record of driving strategic quality initiatives across departments.
Strong leadership and communication skills, capable of engaging cross-functional and external stakeholders.
Willingness to travel up to 10%, including occasional overnight stays for meetings, training, or events.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record in compliance with Paulo’s Vehicle Use Policy.
Must be able to obtain a forklift certification.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or related Continuous Improvement methodologies (certification preferred).
Auditor certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Implement, manage, audit, and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with the Paulo Corporate Quality Manual and applicable standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AS9100, IATF 16949, NADCAP, and CQI-9), based on facility requirements.
Ensure effective execution and maintenance of QMS components, including document control, internal audits, risk-based thinking, calibration systems, quality records, and training matrices.
Lead internal and external audits; ensure audit readiness, timely closure of corrective actions, and alignment with customer and accreditation body expectations.
Develop, track, and report strategic quality KPIs (e.g., PPM, audit findings, nonconformance rates, customer complaints), using data to guide decision-making.
Apply quality tools and statistical methods (SPC, Pareto, 5 Why, FMEA, DOE) to evaluate system performance, identify trends, and drive corrective and preventive actions.
Generate and maintain written procedures, reports, and documentation that clearly communicate quality activities, audit results, and system effectiveness.
Act as a change agent by fostering a proactive quality culture, partnering closely with Operations to integrate quality into all stages of production and continuous improvement efforts.
Supervise Quality Assurance lab personnel, including training, scheduling, coaching, performance evaluations, and addressing team member concerns, rewards, and disciplinary actions.
Oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection and testing activities to verify part conformance with Paulo and customer specifications.
Review and approve test results, inspection reports, and nonconformance documentation to ensure accuracy and proper disposition.
Interpret and communicate quality instructions, specifications, and prints to determine inspection methods, testing sequences, and work assignments.
Ensure inspection and testing equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and functioning as required.
Maintain complete, current, and compliant Quality Control documentation and gaging programs.
Track and monitor material rejection records to identify trends and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Foster strong collaboration among production, quality, engineering, sales, and customers to ensure alignment on product quality and specification requirements.
Interpret and communicate customer specifications and prints to ensure clear understanding across production, engineering, and quality teams.
Lead or participate in contract reviews, in coordination with the Plant Manager, Sales Engineer/Product Development Manager, and Production Manager, to confirm process capability and compliance with customer requirements.
Represent the facility during customer audits and visits, building strong relationships and serving as the plant’s voice to customers and external stakeholders.
Manage customer complaint resolution through structured root cause analysis, corrective action, and follow-up reporting.
Review documentation and collaborate with inspectors, production, and engineering to resolve quality concerns and ensure inspection requirements are consistently met.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, defect prevention, production efficiency, and customer satisfaction by supporting initiatives in safety, environmental compliance, and 6S.
Lead and support corrective action efforts by identifying root causes of nonconformances and customer complaints, ensuring effective resolution and preventing recurrence.
Conduct designed experiments (DOEs) to enhance product quality, process efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
Assist in developing robust processes that consistently deliver required results and improve product reliability.
Plan, organize, and support training activities related to quality standards, systems, and tools to build technical competence across the team.
Collaborate with corporate Quality and Quality Managers across facilities to align procedures, share best practices, and support multi-site audits or quality escalations.
Mentor and develop Quality team members, fostering technical expertise, leadership growth, and succession planning.
Drive continuous improvement aligned with plant-wide goals for Safety, Quality, Productivity, and Housekeeping.
Utilize Paulo’s quality platforms (e.g., PICS, SharePoint, Salesforce, Excel, Power BI) to store, calculate, retrieve, and analyze quality data for reporting, trend monitoring, and corrective/preventive action management.
Support the development and maintenance of real-time data visualization and shift communication tools to enhance traceability, production visibility, and leadership awareness.
Maintain accurate and organized digital and physical files, including charts, test reports, shop orders, part documentation, and CAPA/CAR records.
Periodically review and update print files to ensure all documents are properly maintained, current, and accessible.
Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all PPE guidelines, regulatory protocols, and safety rules.
Ensure compliance with all safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
Act promptly to ensure that equipment malfunctions or safety hazards are corrected.
Act promptly to correct unsafe conditions or equipment malfunctions.
Participate, support, and lead initiatives in facility-wide safety audits, corrective actions, and employee engagement initiatives tied to EH&S and 6S performance.
Support training, audits, and employee engagement in 6S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, and Safety).
Remain safety aware and report all “near miss” (unsafe conditions) injury or property damage incidents.
Ensure good housekeeping in the work area.
Ensure alignment with environmental management system requirements and contribute to sustainability goals.