Quality Operations Leader

Trane Italia • Grand Rapids, MI

5d • $90,900 - $164,675 • Onsite

About The Position

Be a part of our mission! As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, it's our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, and through our businesses including Trane® and Thermo King, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what's possible for a sustainable world.
Learn about our benefits designed for you to Thrive at work and at home.
We boldly go.
On-Site (5 days)
Position Summary
The Quality Operations Leader leads line-side quality execution across manufacturing operations, ensuring compliance with Quality Management System (QMS) standards and consistent application of quality processes. This role provides leadership to Quality Engineers with Quality Technicians reporting through that structure, and is responsible for building team capability through training, coaching, and exposure to quality tools and systems. The position also serves as a primary escalation point for production disruptions related to quality concerns and fosters a strong partnership and support culture with operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Quality, Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Progressive experience in manufacturing quality, quality operations, or quality leadership roles.
• Experience leading frontline leaders, such as supervisors, in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of QMS principles, quality systems, and line-side manufacturing support.
• Experience responding to production quality issues, managing escalations, and driving timely containment and resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and strengthen team capability.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience with quality tools and systems such as root cause analysis, CAPA, nonconformance management, audits, SPC, or similar methods.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence outcomes in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Quality Engineers overseeing day-to-day line-side quality operations.
• Provide organizational leadership for all Quality Technicians through supervisory structure.
• Ensure quality processes are executed consistently in alignment with QMS requirements, site procedures, and operational standards.
• Drive standardized quality practices across shifts, lines, and production areas.
• Act as the primary escalation point for quality issues affecting production flow, including containment, disposition, and recovery support.
• Partner closely with operations, manufacturing engineering, and other cross-functional teams to resolve disruptions and minimize impact to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Build team capability through structured training, coaching, development planning, and practical exposure to quality tools, systems, and problem-solving methods.
• Develop a high-performing quality organization with strong accountability, technical competence, and customer focus.
• Monitor line-side quality performance and ensure timely response to nonconformances, trends, and repeat issues.
• Support root cause problem solving and corrective/preventive actions to improve process discipline and reduce quality losses.
• Ensure clear escalation, communication, and decision-making during line disruptions tied to quality concerns.
• Promote a culture of operational support, responsiveness, and collaboration between quality and production teams.
• Review staffing, skills, and coverage needs to support production requirements effectively.
• Drive continuous improvement in inspection methods, standard work, layered process discipline, and quality support processes.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and audit expectations as applicable.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Holistic wellness programs with generous incentives
• Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
• 401K match up to 6%, plus an additional 2% core contribution
• Paid time off includes 15 vacation days, 9 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave.
• Educational and training opportunities through company programs
• Tuition assistance
• Student debt support

What This Job Offers

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