Quality Assurance Manager

HSM; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness benefits

401(k) with company match

PTO

On-site medical clinics

Teladoc

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

HSM is seeking a Quality Manager to lead plant quality programs, ensure compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3, and drive continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. You will manage APQP/PPAP for new launches, oversee audits, and mentor the quality team while collaborating with engineering, operations, and leadership to deliver superior product quality.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least five years of manufacturing quality experience, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
• 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 across multiple teams or facilities.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plan development.
• Proven 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant-level quality programs and activities, ensuring compliance with standards and customer requirements.
• Investigate nonconformances and oversee corrective and preventive actions (8D, root cause analysis).
• 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 implemented and maintained.
• Develop and track quality metrics, identify performance trends, and report to leadership.
• Serve as primary quality contact for customers and suppliers.
• Lead resolution of customer complaints, field quality concerns, and warranty issues.

Skills

Quality management

Statistical analysis

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Auditing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

JD Edwards

Minitab

CAD/CAM systems

Job description

HSM Company History |HSM HEART Company Values |Who is HSM to our customers?

Founded in 1944, HSM is athird 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.

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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.