Automotive Quality Leader - Continuous Improvement

Columbia Vehicle Group; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Vehicle Group is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead our manufacturing quality operations and drive continuous improvement across the organization. You will own quality systems, set inspection standards, and ensure product conformance from part intake to delivery, aligning with safety and reliability goals.

This hands-on leader will collaborate on the factory floor with Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to reduce defects, improve first-pass yield, and promote a

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years manufacturing quality experience, including at least 2 years in a quality leadership role.
• Experience in vehicle, equipment, or similar manufacturing environments.
• Proven success implementing quality improvements and reducing manufacturing defects and rework.
• Strong understanding of root cause analysis and problemsolving methodologies, including 8D, 5 Why, Pareto analysis, and fishbone diagrams.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, control plans, corrective actions, and internal auditing.
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate across departments while maintaining accountability for quality standards.
• Hands-on leadership approach with a strong presence on the manufacturing floor.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the company's quality management system, including inspection standards, procedures, work instructions, and document control.
• Develop and implement quality checkpoints throughout the manufacturing and assembly process to identify defects early.
• Lead, train, and develop quality inspection personnel while promoting accountability and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Operations leadership to improve production quality, reduce rework, and increase first-pass inspection success.
• Analyze quality performance data, identify recurring defects, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead root cause investigations and problemsolving initiatives to prevent recurring quality issues.
• Conduct internal quality audits to ensure compliance with established standards and procedures.
• Oversee final quality inspections and predelivery inspection standards to ensure vehicles meet requirements before shipment.
• Manage customer quality concerns, lead corrective action responses, and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to monitor supplier quality, address defective materials, and improve supplier performance.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including defect rates, rework hours, first-pass yield, and cost of poor quality.
• Provide regular quality performance updates and improvement recommendations to executive leadership.

Skills

Quality leadership

Root cause analysis

8D methodology

5 Why analysis

Pareto analysis

Fishbone diagrams

Quality management systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

On-floor leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or related field

Tools

ISO 9001 experience

QMS software

Job description

Columbia Vehicle Group is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead our manufacturing quality operations and drive continuous improvement across the organization. You will own quality systems, set inspection standards, and ensure product conformance from part intake to delivery, aligning with safety and reliability goals.

This hands-on leader will collaborate on the factory floor with Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to reduce defects, improve first-pass yield, and promote a