Quality Manager

Stryten Energy • Salina, KS

19d • Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Manager provides leadership for day-to-day activities across departments at Stryten Energy’s Salina, Kansas manufacturing facility and partners with Engineering to resolve problems and improve quality. The role manages product and process data collection and reporting, corrective-action system updates, calibration, internal audits, and key customer communications. It requires working knowledge of IATF 16949 quality system requirements, OEM expectations, and quality operating systems for manufacturing and distribution.

The role oversees quality support for manufacturing, including quality plans and procedures, control plans, process flow diagrams, process and operator-task audits, work-instruction validation, production-floor and laboratory coverage, gauge calibration, incoming material requirements, and in-process sampling. The Quality Manager also coordinates capability studies, investigates defects and performance, drives product and process improvements, responds to customer concerns, leads structured problem-solving, and coordinates corrective actions for internal and external quality issues.

The position provides technical guidance and day-to-day supervision to quality staff, including determining training needs, evaluating performance, recommending salary or title changes, participating in hiring decisions, and coaching employees. It maintains positive working relationships with corporate teams, employees, customers, and vendors to resolve complex quality issues. Travel as required for training, regulatory meetings, and company-sanctioned events is up to 15%.

Requirements

• Minimum four-year technical degree in science, engineering, or quality.
• 5–8 years of related experience as a quality engineer or equivalent in a corporate or manufacturing plant environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Proficiency in problem solving, including root cause analysis and 5 Whys.
• Quality- and customer-oriented approach.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 quality standards, APQP methodology, Control Plans, FMEAs, and PPAPs.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma and Lean tools.
• Familiarity with Quality Operating Systems.
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment on multiple projects.
• Strong skills in statistical methods.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer skills with Windows-based programs.
• Ability to work inside or outside the plant and in all climate conditions, with exposure to lead, fumes, chemicals, operating equipment, and vehicles.
• Able to see, hear, and speak; sit and stand for at least two hours at a time; bend, crawl, squat, kneel, and climb; use both arms and hands to operate a computer and peripherals; and lift 40 pounds from floor level to overhead.
• Able to work below ground level in confined spaces and on stationary or mobile elevated platforms, and wear a respirator and other PPE as required.
• Regular use of safety glasses and shoes.

Nice To Haves

• Engineering degree preferred.
• CQE preferred.
• Six Sigma Certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) preferred.
• Experience at a Tier I supplier in the automotive industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day quality support to manufacturing through plans and procedures.
• Own the site Control Plan (CP) and Process Flow Diagram (PFD), ensuring compliance with corporate procedures.
• Audit processes and operator tasks for compliance with the Control Plan, corporate processes, and product specifications.
• Audit and validate that plant Work Instructions are current and available to operations.
• Ensure quality team coverage on the production floor and laboratory testing in compliance with testing and Control Plan requirements.
• Manage the calibration system for gauges affecting product quality; ensure timely calibration, completed MSA evaluations, and compliance with documented calibration procedures.
• Verify incoming material requirements against Material Specifications.
• Ensure compliance with periodic sampling requirements for in-process components.
• Coordinate short- and long-term capability studies with plant process engineering for continuous improvement.
• Research product defects, test performance, plant rejects, and scrap, and drive process or product improvements.
• Develop timely responses to customer quality concerns and drive permanent corrective actions in the plant.
• Lead structured problem-solving training and model effective problem-solving practices.
• Assist with conducting and preparing quality audits and reports.
• Work with teams on problem-solving initiatives and connect actions and outcomes to Control Plans, PFMEAs, plant inspection points, and customer returns.
• Maintain routine electrical testing of final product.
• Coordinate corrective-action resolution for internal KPIs and external customer issues, including assembly plant complaints and warranty initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and direction to quality staff, including Customer Quality Specialists, Quality Systems Coordinators, Quality Inspectors, Lab and Calibration Technicians, and clerks.
• Determine departmental training needs, evaluate subordinate performance, recommend salary or title changes, and determine hiring actions.
• Coach and develop employees for career advancement, accountability, and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Maintain positive working relationships with corporate teams, employees, customers, and vendors to resolve difficult quality issues.
• Perform other duties inherent to the job.
• Travel as required for training, regulatory meetings, and company-sanctioned events, up to 15%.

What This Job Offers

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