Components Quality Manager

Freudenberg Group; Bristol (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg Group in Bristol, VA seeks a senior quality leader to manage and improve the plant's Quality Management System (QMS). You will serve as the primary customer quality representative and drive data-driven quality improvements across functions.

You will apply Lean, Six Sigma and APQP to reduce variation, lead audits and CAPA, and ensure compliance with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001. Excellent communication and collaboration with production, engineering, labs, and supply chain are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive quality leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, QMS, and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Expertise in SPC, APQP, root cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
• Proven success leading continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar programs.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting audits, quality certifications, and issue resolution in regulated automotive environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve the plant Quality Management System (QMS) to meet standards.
• Act as primary customer quality representative, handling quality issues, audits, and CAPA.
• Drive plant-wide quality improvement initiatives using Lean/Six Sigma and problem-solving.
• Establish, monitor, and enhance SPC systems to improve process capability and quality.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, laboratory, and supply chain to reduce scrap and costs.
• Manage customer and supplier quality certifications, audits, PPAP submissions, and approvals.
• Maintain quality documentation, records retention, and document control while supporting growth.

Skills

Quality leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

APQP

Root cause analysis

Statistical Process Control

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world!

Responsibilities:

• Lead and continuously improve the plant Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with customer, industry, and company standards.
• Act as the primary customer quality representative, building trusted relationships and effectively managing quality issues, audits, and corrective actions.
• Drive plant-wide quality improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and advanced problem-solving methodologies.
• Establish, monitor, and enhance Statistical Process Control (SPC) systems to improve process capability, reduce variation, and strengthen product quality.
• Partner with production, engineering, laboratory, and supply chain teams to analyze quality data, reduce scrap, lower costs, and improve operational performance.
• Manage customer and supplier quality certifications, audits, PPAP submissions, and compliance requirements to ensure on-time approvals and successful launches.
• Maintain quality documentation, records retention, environmental compliance activities, and document control systems while supporting business growth and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive quality leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, Quality Management Systems (QMS), and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Expertise in Statistical Process Control (SPC), Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), root cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
• Proven success leading continuous improvement efforts through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar operational excellence programs.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to confidently interact with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting customer audits, quality certifications, and quality issue resolution within highly regulated or automotive manufacturing environments.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership