Plant Quality Manager

Antolin; Hopkinsville (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Antolin in Hopkinsville, KY is seeking a senior Quality Leader to drive the quality management system, lead the quality team, and ensure compliance with customer requirements and automotive standards.

You will own the QA & Improvement Plan, monitor KPIs, coordinate with suppliers and customers, and oversee audits, CAPA, and cost of quality while promoting accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in mechanical/industrial engineering or related field.
• ASQ CMQ/OE or CQE preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in quality roles with automotive Tier 1 exposure.
• 5 years in management or supervisory roles.
• Experience with AIAG tools: PPAP, MSA, Control Planning, FMEA, SPC.

Responsibilities

• Lead Quality team and drive defined quality mission.
• Manage QA programs, audits, CAPA and improvement plans.
• Monitor KPIs and report quality performance to leadership.
• Lead customer escalation and supplier quality actions as needed.
• Coordinate quality communication across BUs and corporate.
• Oversee cost of quality and QC-related budgeting.
• Promote quality culture and training across departments.

Skills

Quality leadership

Problem solving

Process improvement

Team management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related

ASQ CMQ/OE or CQE

Master's degree (optional)

Tools

Quality Management System experience

Job description

To ensure the consistent production of high-quality products by establishing and maintaining robust quality systems, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and customer requirements while fostering a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

Quality Management & Department Leadership

• Manage the Quality team and lead the company in achieving the defined Quality mission.
• Organize, monitor, and review Quality Department activities and performance, with special focus on customer-related activities.
• Define and manage the company’s Quality Assurance and Improvement Plan according to Process P-10.
• Ensure quality routines are in place for monitoring internal and external quality aspects to achieve targets and KPIs.
• Ensures the quality system is established, implemented, and maintained in accordance with TS 16949 requirements.
• Reports on the performance of the Quality System to upper management for review and as a basis for improvement to the quality system.

Customer Quality & Escalation

• Review customer B2B portals to monitor customer satisfaction and quality KPIs.
• Lead customer complaint resolution and define improvement actions as necessary.
• Monitor customer satisfaction status and ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements and KPIs.
• Lead escalation topics with customers as required.
• Lead Red Table meetings to ensure proper management and closure validation of customer claims and complex internal issues.
• Participate in supplier satisfaction evaluation through monitoring of Supplier Quality Performance (SQP).
• Support supplier quality escalation activities when required.
• Lead escalation topics with suppliers as needed.

Non-Conformity & Corrective Actions

• Identify, manage, and resolve internal and external non-conformities related to products and processes, including rejects and rework activities.
• Ensure implementation of corrective and preventive actions according to established procedures.
• Manage non-conforming materials, including blocking, analysis, and final disposition (rework, internal rejection, or elimination).

Quality Performance & KPI Management

• Monitor, analyze, and report Quality Department indicators and KPIs.
• Participate in monthly Project Quality Follow-up (PQF) reviews and present quality performance results.
• Support action plans to ensure alignment with quality objectives and strategic goals.
• Participate in Steering Committee reviews to report quality performance and define actions.

Cost of Quality Management

• Manage Quality and Non-Quality Costs, ensuring monthly calculation and consolidation in ERP systems.
• Supervise cost evolution reporting and support action plans to improve quality results.

Training, Communication & Quality Culture

• Promote quality culture, customer objectives, and customer requirements across departments.
• Promote continuous improvement and customer satisfaction through regular communication.
• Assess staff competencies against job descriptions and training plans.
• Define and formalize training plans to address competency gaps and support multiskilling development.

Internal Coordination & Reporting

• Act as the communication channel with related Quality operations (BUs) and corporate departments.
• Ensure the Quality Department structure and routines are defined and executed according to established standards.
• Manage departmental UET indicators, 5S references, and team performance reviews.

What we are looking for:

Educational Requirements:

• College Degree on Mechanical, Industrial or similar subject (minimum four (4) year degree).
• ASQ CMQ/OE or CQE, desired
• Master Degree, optional

Additional Experience, Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience as Quality Engineer, Supplier Quality, Quality Systems or Manufacturing processes focus on Quality Principles
• 5 years’ experience required (Management experience preferred)
• Knowledge in Quality Systems and Internal Auditing.
• At least 5 years in automotive manufacturing environment as Tier 1 or working with one of the OEM
• Core AIAG Quality Training (PPAP, MSA, Control Planning, FMEA, SPC)

Physical Demands

– basic computer work, standing and sitting in office and manufacturing plant environment, may require material lifting and movement manually.

• Travel – Approximately 10% and is subject to change based upon customer needs