Quality Manager

DENNEN STEEL LLC•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

The Quality Manager leads and maintains the Quality Management System (QMS) for Press and Coil operations, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and company requirements. The role provides leadership for quality assurance activities, manages quality personnel, oversees customer and supplier quality concerns, and promotes continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. The position establishes quality objectives and improvement plans; maintains quality planning tools; oversees PPAP submissions, customer certifications, IMDS requirements, and launch readiness; and leads internal, external, customer, certification, and supplier audits. It directs nonconforming-material disposition, customer corrective actions, product containment, safe launch activities, certification programs, product audits, calibration systems, and quality-related training. The Quality Manager monitors quality metrics, develops statistical methods for continual improvement, supports Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives, and participates in strategic and cross-functional business activities. The role requires regular, reliable, consistent, and punctual attendance in accordance with the assigned schedule and time-off policies. The employee must follow established quality instructions and standards, maintain accurate records, communicate with customers as needed, assist with timely corrective actions, support the Dennen Launch Process/PPAP, and maintain working knowledge of applicable quality objectives, policies, procedures, work instructions, and customer-specific requirements.

Requirements

Familiarity with press stamping/blanking and IATF 16949 Quality System requirements and responsibilities.
An associate degree in a related field, or a minimum of seven years of experience as a Quality Engineer with experience in a press (stamping/blanking) or tool-and-die environment.
Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Regular, reliable, consistent, and punctual attendance in accordance with the assigned schedule and time-off policies.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, implement, and maintain the Quality Management System for Press and Coil operations.
Establish quality objectives, metrics, and improvement plans aligned with company goals and customer expectations.
Manage, coach, train, and conduct performance management for Quality Engineers, Quality Technicians, Lab Technicians, and Inspection personnel.
Develop and maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, inspection criteria, and work instructions.
Oversee PPAP submissions, customer certifications, IMDS requirements, and launch readiness activities.
Lead internal and external quality audits, including customer, certification, and supplier audits, and ensure timely closure of findings and corrective actions.
Direct Material Review Board activities and disposition of nonconforming materials and products.
Manage customer quality concerns, complaints, and corrective actions using structured problem-solving methods.
Serve as the primary quality liaison among customers, suppliers, operations, engineering, and leadership teams.
Oversee product containment, safe launch activities, certification programs, and product audit systems.
Monitor quality performance indicators, analyze trends, and implement initiatives to reduce defects, improve process capability, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Ensure calibration systems, inspection equipment, and measurement systems are maintained and compliant with applicable standards.
Lead quality-related training in blueprint reading, measurement techniques, SPC, problem-solving methods, and quality system requirements.
Promote continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and risk-based thinking principles.
Participate in strategic planning and cross-functional initiatives supporting business growth, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.
Follow established instructions and quality standards, maintain accurate records, and communicate with customers as needed.
Assist with completing corrective actions on time and implementing the Dennen Launch Process/PPAP to meet customer requirements.
Develop or improve statistical methods for continual process improvement.