Senior Manager, Quality Engineering The Senior Manager, Quality Engineering is responsible for leading the Quality Engineering organization and ensuring the effective execution of quality strategies across manufacturing operations. This role drives operational excellence through robust quality systems, supplier quality management, process controls, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Senior Manager partners closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Product Development teams to ensure products consistently meet quality, reliability, and compliance requirements. This leader is accountable for developing high-performing teams, managing quality performance metrics, and translating organizational quality objectives into actionable programs that support business growth and customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities:
Quality Leadership & Organizational Management· Lead and manage Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality, Incoming Quality Control (IQC), and Outgoing Quality Control (OQC) functions.· Develop and execute departmental quality plans aligned with organizational objectives.· Foster a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.· Coach, mentor, and develop quality engineering personnel and future leaders.· Support workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development initiatives. Manufacturing Quality Engineering· Ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet quality, reliability, and performance requirements.· Establish and maintain process controls, inspection plans, validation activities, and quality standards.· Lead investigation of quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.· Drive implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).· Ensure compliance with applicable quality standards, regulatory requirements, and internal procedures. Supplier Quality Management· Oversee supplier qualification, audits, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement programs.· Partner with Supply Chain and Procurement to mitigate supplier quality risks.· Drive supplier corrective action programs and improvement initiatives.· Monitor supplier quality metrics and establish performance improvement plans where necessary. Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence· Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and statistical process control methodologies.· Drive defect reduction, yield improvement, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) reduction initiatives.· Establish and maintain quality dashboards, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms.· Lead cross-functional improvement projects focused on process capability and operational efficiency. Customer & Field Quality· Ensure effective management of customer complaints, returns, and field quality concerns.· Analyze field performance and reliability data to identify improvement opportunities.· Support customer audits and quality reviews.· Drive customer satisfaction through proactive quality management practices. Cross-Functional Collaboration· Collaborate with Product Development and Manufacturing Engineering on Design for Quality (DFQ) and Design for Manufacturability (DFM).· Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, including risk assessments, PFMEA, Control Plans, and validation activities.· Provide quality leadership during product launches and manufacturing transfers.
Qualifications
Education & Experience:- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline.· Master's degree preferred.· 10–+ years of manufacturing quality experience.· Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience managing quality engineering teams.· Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing environments preferred. Technical Expertise· Strong knowledge of:o Six Sigmao Lean Manufacturingo SPCo FMEAo MSAo DOEo CAPAo Root Cause Analysis methodologies· Experience with supplier quality systems and auditing.· Knowledge of IQC/OQC processes and manufacturing quality controls.
Certifications
Preferred:- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)· Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)· Six Sigma Black Belt Leadership Competencies· Strong people leadership and team-building skills.· Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.· Data-driven decision-making capability.· Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational change.
