Site Quality Manager

DuPont•Hillsdale, MI

About The Position

The Site Quality Manager role is a critical leadership position responsible for driving a strong quality culture, front line ownership, and customer confidence within a manufacturing site. This role ensures quality excellence is embedded in daily operations—from product launch through series production—across all site processes, including internal manufacturing, laboratory operations, and site-level supply chain activities. As the senior quality leader at site, this position is accountable for the effective implementation, execution, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS), aligned with industry standards including IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, and OEM-specific requirements. The Site Quality Manager plays a key role in strengthening front line quality ownership, ensuring adherence to customer requirements, and embedding a proactive, risk-based approach to quality across operations. By partnering closely with operations, engineering, supply chain, and commercial teams, the Site Quality Manager ensures quality performance is consistent, compliant, and continuously improving—positioning the site as a trusted supplier and driving customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Several years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance / Quality Control within manufacturing environments; automotive, chemical, adhesives, coatings, or regulated industries strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s preferred) in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial), or related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
Practical experience with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 including implementation at the site level.
Strong working knowledge of automotive core tools, including: APQP & PPAP, AIAG VDA FMEA (preferred), Control Plans, Process Flow, SPC, MSA (Gage R&R), Special characteristics and process capability (Cp/Cpk).
Experience supporting or leading audits (e.g., IATF, VDA 6.3) preferred.
Six Sigma training or certification (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
Strong capability with structured problem solving tools (8D, A3, 5 Why, Fishbone) and verification of corrective actions.
Proven ability to manage customer relationships at the site level, including handling complaints, leading escalations, and communicating risk, containment, and corrective action plans.
Demonstrated ability to analyze site-level quality data and drive prioritization and improvement actions.
Hands-on leader who is highly visible on the production floor and actively engaged with front line teams.
Strong decision-making and risk assessment capabilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical requirements into practical execution.
Highly organized and self-directed, capable of managing multiple priorities while delivering results.
Proficient with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint for analysis and reporting.

Nice To Haves

Master’s preferred
AIAG VDA FMEA (preferred)
Experience supporting or leading audits (e.g., IATF, VDA 6.3) preferred.
Six Sigma training or certification (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).

Responsibilities

Lead all site-level quality activities, ensuring consistent execution of quality systems aligned with industry standards (IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, OEM-specific requirements).
Drive a strong quality culture focused on front line ownership, accountability, and right-first-time execution.
Provide direct leadership and development for the site quality team (QA/QC, laboratory, and quality engineering resources).
Serve as the primary site-level quality interface for customers, managing day-to-day communications, escalations, and performance discussions.
Translate customer expectations and requirements into clear, actionable direction for site teams.
Lead and host customer audits, certification audits, and site visits, demonstrating site capability, compliance, and readiness.
Own and continuously improve the site Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance and effectiveness.
Lead Management of Change (MOC) activities impacting product quality, including changes to materials, processes, equipment, analytical methods, and specifications.
Ensure robust risk identification and mitigation across manufacturing processes, raw materials, and suppliers impacting site performance.
Monitor and analyze site quality performance using key metrics (customer complaints, internal defects, audit findings, cost of poor quality, process capability).
Drive prioritization and execution of improvement initiatives to deliver measurable and sustainable performance gains.
Lead site quality reviews and ensure alignment with business and customer performance expectations.
Champion structured problem solving methodologies (8D, A3, root cause analysis) to ensure timely and effective resolution of quality issues.
Ensure containment, corrective, and preventive actions are implemented and verified for effectiveness.
Lead internal audits and oversee external audits of site operations, laboratories, warehouses, and critical suppliers where applicable.