Quality Assurance Manager

McCord Executive Search, LLC; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

McCord Executive Search, LLC is seeking a Quality Manager to lead the AS9100 quality system, drive audits, and improve product quality across manufacturing and administrative processes.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will own nonconforming material control, corrective actions, supplier performance, and inspections, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution on the production floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, management, or related field; 3+ years in part-quality checks and AS9100 audits.
• Hands-on manufacturing inspection experience is a strong advantage.
• Experience leading quality initiatives and corrective actions across functions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain AS9100 compliance and lead audits, 8D investigations, CARs, and SCARs.
• Oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection; coordinate customer quality responses.
• Improve supplier performance and ensure nonconforming material is controlled and corrected.

Skills

Quality leadership

AS9100

Audit management

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Inspection tools

Job description

Company Description McCord Executive Search, LLC, founded in 2013, specializes in professional search services for manufacturing companies locally and nationwide, offering both contingency and retained search solutions. The firm serves a broad range of manufacturing sectors, including plastics, medical device, food, and industrial, and fills roles from technician through executive leadership. With over 15 years of recruiting and staffing experience, McCord Executive Search has built a strong network and emphasizes a one-on-one, partnership-based approach with clients and candidates. The company is known for honesty, professionalism, responsiveness, and for never pressuring individuals into decisions, focusing instead on aligning opportunities with each person’s career goals. McCord Executive Search is driven by desire, discipline, and commitment, consistently delivering results through attentive listening and thorough follow-through.

QUALITY MANAGER — Opportunity Summary

Lead quality performance, strengthen an AS9100 system, and influence improvement across the organization.

The Quality Manager is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a quality professional who enjoys combining strategic system ownership with hands-on engagement. Reporting to the Plant Manager, this role is accountable for the effectiveness of the Quality Management System, product quality performance, and consistent execution of standards across manufacturing and administrative processes.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Visible leadership impact: Serve as the organization’s quality leader and communicate performance, risks, and priorities directly to leadership.
• End-to-end ownership: Own and strengthen the AS9100 QMS, internal and external audits, corrective actions, and controlled documentation.
• Meaningful operational influence: Partner with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Purchasing, and suppliers to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
• Hands-on variety: Balance strategic responsibilities with production-floor engagement, inspection, coaching, and technical validation.
• Measurable results: Drive improvement in customer returns, internal scrap, supplier performance, and the timely completion of quality deliverables.
• Culture-building opportunity: Reinforce quality awareness, accountability, and consistent execution across all departments.

What You Will Lead

You will maintain AS9100 compliance; lead audits, 8D investigations, CARs, and SCARs; oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection; coordinate customer quality responses; improve supplier performance; ensure nonconforming material is controlled; and verify that corrective actions and process improvements are implemented and sustained.

Ideal Background

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, management, or a related field; at least three years of experience performing part-quality checks of PLASTIC PARTS and participating in AS9100 audits; and a practical, proactive approach to problem-solving. Hands-on manufacturing inspection experience is a strong advantage.

Company Information

• Award winning plastic parts manufacture is an industry leader in agricultural, commercial and industrial markets across the country, operating out of a modern 130,000 sf facility and well equipped with latest technology.