Quality Assurance Manager

HSM (Hickory Springs Manufacturing) Company; Cavanaugh (AR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k)

PTO

On-site Clinic

Teladoc

Tuition Reimbursement

Discounts

Job summary

HSM (Hickory Springs Manufacturing) Company at the Fort Smith metals facility is seeking a Quality Manager to lead all plant quality programs in alignment with ISO 9001, IATF 16949 and customer requirements. You will drive CAPA, APQP/PPAP, and product launch readiness across cross-functional teams.

The role emphasizes risk management, data-driven quality metrics, and strong customer/supplier interaction, with travel up to 20% to support audits and program launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent).
• At least five years of quality management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Automotive manufacturing or automotive supplier experience preferred.
• Experience with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Demonstrated success leading customer-facing audits, readiness assessments, and corrective-action initiatives.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop quality professionals.
• Confident communication with customers, suppliers, operations teams, and senior leaders.
• Experience with JD Edwards, Minitab, CAD/CAM or similar tools is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain plant quality systems and drive continuous improvement.
• Investigate nonconformances and oversee CAPA using 8D/root cause analysis.
• Manage APQP for new product launches including sampling, validation, and launch readiness.
• Review PPAP submissions and related quality documentation.
• Ensure PFMEAs, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC are implemented and maintained.
• Develop and track quality metrics and report to leadership.
• Serve as primary quality contact for customers and suppliers.
• Lead investigation and resolution of customer complaints and field quality issues.
• Oversee supplier APQP, PPAP, corrective actions, and risk mitigation.
• Represent facility during customer, internal, and third-party audits.
• Champion Lean, 6S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor the plant quality team and build accountability across departments.
• Collaborate with plant leadership, operations, and engineering for launches.

Skills

Quality management

ISO 9001

IATF 16949

APQP/PPAP

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Control plans

Audits

Leadership

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Equivalent experience considered

Tools

JD Edwards

Minitab

CAD/CAM

Job description

Ft Smith Metal
Ft. Smith Metal
4925 State Line Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72904, USA

Founded in 1944, HSM is a third‑generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery. HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

What You Will Do

As the Quality Manager, you will lead all plant quality programs and activities while ensuring compliance with company standards, customer‑specific requirements, and applicable industry regulations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead, maintain, and continuously improve plant‑level quality systems.
• Investigate nonconformances and oversee corrective and preventive actions using tools such as 8D and root cause corrective action.
• Manage APQP activities for new product launches, including sampling, validation, testing, and launch readiness.
• Review and approve PPAP submissions and related quality documentation.
• Ensure PFMEAs, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and other core quality tools are properly implemented and maintained.
• Develop and track quality metrics, identify performance trends, and communicate results to plant and organizational leadership.
• Serve as the primary quality contact for customers and suppliers.
• Lead the resolution of customer complaints, field quality concerns, and warranty issues.
• Oversee supplier APQP, PPAP, corrective actions, and quality risk‑mitigation efforts.
• Represent the facility during customer, internal, and third‑party audits.
• Maintain compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3 requirements.
• Champion Lean, 6S, and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste and strengthen quality performance.
• Mentor and develop the plant quality team while building accountability and quality ownership across departments.
• Partner closely with plant leadership, operations, and engineering to support operational excellence and successful product launches.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• At least five years of quality management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Automotive manufacturing or automotive supplier experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing customer‑driven quality systems and coordinating quality activities across multiple teams or facilities.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plan development.
• Demonstrated success leading customer‑facing audits, readiness assessments, and corrective‑action initiatives.
• Strong analytical and structured problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop quality professionals.
• Confident communication skills with the ability to work directly with customers, suppliers, operations teams, and senior leaders.
• Ability to influence cross‑functional partners and turn quality expectations into practical, sustainable processes.
• Experience with JD Edwards, Minitab, CAD/CAM systems, or similar manufacturing and quality‑analysis tools is beneficial.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will help create a quality culture in which teams identify risks early, respond quickly, and take ownership of product conformity. Success will include improved quality performance, stronger audit readiness, successful product launches, effective corrective actions, and trusted relationships with customers and suppliers.

Travel

Approximately 10–20% travel may be required to support customer visits, audits, new program launches, and cross‑facility initiatives.

Why Join Us?

• Health & Wellness: Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcare option for qualified participants.
• Retire: 401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive PTO: 3 Weeks of PTO + company paid holidays.
• On‑Site Medical Clinics: Free for you and covered dependents.
• Teladoc: 24/7 access with no copay.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, professional development assistance and career growth opportunities.
• Discounts: Enjoy discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort, Verizon Wireless, and more.

EEOC

At HSM, we believe that our diversity creates a productive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectionate or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.