Quality Manager

Gates Corporation; Legnica; Hybrid; PLN 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Gates Corporation in Legnica, Poland is seeking a Quality Manager for our hydraulic hose manufacturing operation. You will lead the Quality Team, drive the quality management system, and ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and corporate requirements.

You will shape quality strategy, monitor KPIs, coordinate CAPA and supplier quality, and promote continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in Quality within a manufacturing environment, including at least 2 years in a leadership or people management role.
• Fluent Polish and English, both written and spoken.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, ISO standards, auditing processes, and quality methodologies.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% for customer visits, supplier visits, training, and equipment acceptance activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Team and ensure the effective implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System.
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality standards, procedures, documentation, and process controls to ensure product and process compliance.
• Monitor, analyze, and report quality KPIs while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of quality data.
• Ensure compliance with legal regulations, corporate standards, customer requirements, and industry best practices.
• Translate customer requirements into effective internal quality processes and quality assurance activities.
• Manage customer complaints and coordinate investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and 8D reports.
• Oversee supplier quality performance, complaint management, and supplier development initiatives.
• Lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes to eliminate root causes and improve operational performance.
• Manage PPAP activities for customers and suppliers and support APQP, PFMEA, and FMEA processes.
• Plan and conduct internal audits, process audits, product audits, and Layered Process Audits (LPA).
• Oversee incoming inspection, final inspection, calibration systems, and non-conforming material management.
• Promote quality awareness and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Skills

Quality management

Leadership / team management

ISO standards

PPAP APQP FMEA CAPA

Auditing

Polish and English

Travel up to 20%

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Quality/Engineering/Manufacturing

Job description

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.
Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.
Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

What to Expect

Located in Legnica, we proudly operate the largest Gates facility in Europe and the second largest worldwide. Our site comprises three key operations: belt production, hose manufacturing, and a distribution center. Altogether, we employ over 1,200 people, making us one of the region's most significant employers.

As the Quality Manager for our hydraulic hose manufacturing operation, you will lead the Quality Team and drive quality excellence across the business. You will oversee the Quality Management System, customer and supplier quality activities, continuous improvement initiatives, and compliance with customer, regulatory, and corporate requirements. This role offers the opportunity to shape quality strategy, strengthen customer satisfaction, and support operational excellence in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Team and ensure the effective implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System.
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality standards, procedures, documentation, and process controls to ensure product and process compliance.
• Monitor, analyze, and report quality KPIs while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of quality data.
• Ensure compliance with legal regulations, corporate standards, customer requirements, and industry best practices.
• Translate customer requirements into effective internal quality processes and quality assurance activities.
• Manage customer complaints and coordinate investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and 8D reports.
• Oversee supplier quality performance, complaint management, and supplier development initiatives.
• Lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes to eliminate root causes and improve operational performance.
• Manage PPAP activities for customers and suppliers and support APQP, PFMEA, and FMEA processes.
• Plan and conduct internal audits, process audits, product audits, and Layered Process Audits (LPA).
• Oversee incoming inspection, final inspection, calibration systems, and non-conforming material management.
• Promote quality awareness and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Job Profile

Manages the Quality function and Quality Team within the manufacturing operation.

Adapts departmental priorities and resources to meet operational, customer, and business requirements.

Makes decisions guided by quality standards, company policies, customer requirements, and business objectives.

Evaluates complex quality issues and determines appropriate corrective and preventive actions.

Influences operational performance through effective leadership, quality governance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Collaborates with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to achieve quality and business objectives.

Provides recommendations to senior management regarding quality strategy, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Keys to Success

• Requires in-depth conceptual and practical knowledge of quality management systems and manufacturing processes.
• Strong knowledge of quality tools and methodologies including PPAP, APQP, FMEA, CAPA, root cause analysis, auditing, and statistical problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive change, and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong customer focus and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Leads and develops the Quality Team.
• Responsible for performance management, employee development, coaching, and succession planning.
• Manages departmental priorities and resources to meet operational and customer requirements.
• Provides subject matter expertise and guidance to associates, colleagues, customers, and suppliers.
• Plans and delivers quality-related training to strengthen organizational quality awareness.

Requirements and Preferred Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.

Minimum 6 years of experience in Quality within a manufacturing environment, including at least 2 years in a leadership or people management role.

• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, ISO standards, auditing processes, and quality methodologies.
• Experience managing customer complaints, supplier quality issues, corrective actions, and continuous improvement projects.
• Experience with PPAP, APQP, FMEA, 8D, CAPA, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Fluent Polish and English, both written and spoken.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, results-oriented manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% for customer visits, supplier visits, training, and equipment acceptance activities.

Why Gates?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

GDPR: Gates are committed to protecting your private data. Please see below the link to our Job Applicants Privacy Statement which we would ask you to read in full. By applying for this position, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted this policy.