Quality Manager

Gates Corporation • Columbia, MO

54d • Onsite

About The Position

As an innovation leader, we look for ambitious, forward thinking, open-minded and well-rounded individuals to join our global team. Located in our Columbia, MO plant, you will be a Quality Manager. As Quality Manager, you will lead day-to-day quality operations at our Columbia, facility, while providing strategic quality support and oversight to our Galesburg, IL location. Columbia will be your primary area of responsibility, with direct ownership of site quality performance, systems, compliance, and continuous improvement. For Galesburg, you will serve as a quality partner, providing guidance, coaching, and support to strengthen quality systems, audit readiness, corrective actions, and alignment with company standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required; in Business, Engineering, or Technical related field preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive quality assurance experience within a manufacturing environment, including demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Ability to travel up to 15% - to Galesburg Location.
• Proven experience leading site-level quality systems and driving alignment, consistency, and continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop Quality Supervisors, Engineers, Technicians, and other quality professionals while establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Experience partnering with plant leadership, Operations, Engineering, Corporate Quality, and other cross-functional teams to influence quality performance and business results.
• Ability to balance day-to-day quality leadership at the primary manufacturing site with strategic oversight and support of quality initiatives at an additional facility.
• Experience within Tier 1 automotive or automotive supplier manufacturing environments preferred.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 Quality Management Systems.
• Proficiency with automotive industry core tools, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, and MSA.
• Proficiency with structured quality problem-solving methodologies and tools, including 5-Why, Cause-and-Effect Diagrams, Design of Experiments (DOE), and 8D.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with quality and statistical analysis software, including Minitab and SPC tools, is a plus.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Green Belt through ASQ or an equivalent organization are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance and quality control activities across both sites, ensuring products meet or exceed customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Drive quality initiatives and corrective and preventive actions across value streams to achieve strategic quality objectives and improve overall performance.
• Oversee root cause investigations and ensure timely, effective resolution of customer, warranty, and supplier quality issues.
• Lead Quality Management System (QMS) compliance, audit readiness, and internal audit processes, including Layered Process Audits.
• Partner with New Product Development and site stakeholders to apply APQP-based quality systems, support successful product launches, and minimize quality and defect risks.
• Manage the PPAP submission process to ensure timely and accurate qualification of products for customers and incoming supplier components.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Corporate Quality, suppliers, and site leadership to strengthen quality performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development to Quality Supervisors, Engineers, and Technicians, promoting consistency, accountability, and quality best practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable quality standards and requirements, including ISO and IATF 16949.

Benefits

• Full-Time
• Bonus Eligible
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options
• Benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
• Eligible for 3 weeks of paid vacation, additionally 8 sick days
• 11 paid holidays
• 401(k): company matching up to 6%
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts
• Relocation support is available for qualified candidates open to relocating to the Columbia, MO / surrounding area.

What This Job Offers

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