Quality Manager

Kardex•West Columbia, SC

About The Position

As Quality Manager, you will take on a central role in establishing and managing the quality management function. You will drive the overall quality strategy, ensure product and process compliance, enhance supplier performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing and assembly operations. Your tasks Primary Responsibilities Quality Management • Define and monitor goals, KPIs, and objectives for the Quality Management department. • Develop, establish, and implement quality procedures and standards. • Lead certification activities and ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and other applicable standards. • Prepare for the implementation and maintenance of ISO certification and annual requalification audits. • Qualify products, monitor tests, and drive operational excellence. • Conduct risk management and implement corrective and preventive actions. • Lead internal projects focused on process improvement, efficiency, and production support. • Define, document, and audit processes to ensure effectiveness and compliance. • Ensure quality-related practices support manufacturing, registration, product development, and engineering. • Work closely with operations to identify bottlenecks, perform root cause analysis, and implement improvements. • Conduct and lead quality awareness training. Quality Assurance & Supplier Support • Manage customer claims and actions to mitigate reoccurrence • Implement and maintain Quality Assurance strategy and continuous improvement programs. • Ensure production processes meet defined quality standards. • Ensure plant processes comply with quality systems and regulatory requirements. • Lead analytical projects with operations to support continuous improvement. • Oversee supplier development activities. • Analyze quality concerns, perform expert-level investigations, and evaluate corrective actions. • Manage and communicate quality plans and expectations across teams. • Maintain and implement procedures, specifications, and documentation. • Organize mitigation measures for customer complaints and ensure cross-functional corrective action completion. • Responsible for supplier visits, supplier audits, and supplier quality evaluations. Competence Development • Implement manufacturing standards and process knowledge. • Conduct skills gap analyses and identify continuous learning needs. • Support coaching and mentoring programs to strengthen plant knowledge and quality acumen.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related discipline (required).
10+ years of professional experience in Quality Management within a manufacturing environment.
Experience in assembly operations (sheet metal preferred).
Strong background in supplier quality, supplier audits, and supplier development.
Experience preparing for and maintaining ISO certifications (ISO 9001 required).
Hands-on experience conducting process audits and product audits (APQP/PPAP, CAPA, etc.).
Strong process improvement / continuous improvement skills (LEAN, Six Sigma, DMAIC).
Practical experience using quality analytical tools including: Root Cause Analysis, Fishbone Diagrams, 5Y, 5S, Pareto Analysis, Competent in GD&T (Metric system).
Strong understanding of APQP/PPAP, equipment validation, NRTL/UL standards.
Strong leadership capabilities with an ability to influence cross-functional teams.
High degree of initiative, analytical thinking, sense of urgency and problem solving.
Strong communication skills with the ability to work across diverse roles and cultures.
Customer- and quality-focused mindset.

Nice To Haves

SAP experience preferred (SAP 4/HANA).
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

Responsibilities

Define and monitor goals, KPIs, and objectives for the Quality Management department.
Develop, establish, and implement quality procedures and standards.
Lead certification activities and ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and other applicable standards.
Prepare for the implementation and maintenance of ISO certification and annual requalification audits.
Qualify products, monitor tests, and drive operational excellence.
Conduct risk management and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Lead internal projects focused on process improvement, efficiency, and production support.
Define, document, and audit processes to ensure effectiveness and compliance.
Ensure quality-related practices support manufacturing, registration, product development, and engineering.
Work closely with operations to identify bottlenecks, perform root cause analysis, and implement improvements.
Conduct and lead quality awareness training.
Manage customer claims and actions to mitigate reoccurrence
Implement and maintain Quality Assurance strategy and continuous improvement programs.
Ensure production processes meet defined quality standards.
Ensure plant processes comply with quality systems and regulatory requirements.
Lead analytical projects with operations to support continuous improvement.
Oversee supplier development activities.
Analyze quality concerns, perform expert-level investigations, and evaluate corrective actions.
Manage and communicate quality plans and expectations across teams.
Maintain and implement procedures, specifications, and documentation.
Organize mitigation measures for customer complaints and ensure cross-functional corrective action completion.
Responsible for supplier visits, supplier audits, and supplier quality evaluations.
Implement manufacturing standards and process knowledge.
Conduct skills gap analyses and identify continuous learning needs.
Support coaching and mentoring programs to strengthen plant knowledge and quality acumen.