Quality Assurance Manager

A Hiring Company; Minden (LA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Vision, and Dental insurance

Life and disability insurance – 100% paid by company

401(k) with 7% company match, vesting at 30 days

Comprehensive PTO policy and 9 paid holidays

Job summary

A manufacturing leader in black powder in Minden, LA, seeks a Quality Manager to oversee their Quality Management System. Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years in quality leadership, experience with ISO 9001 programs, and strong expertise in regulatory compliance. This is a full-time role with responsibilities including managing audits and fostering continuous improvement in a high-compliance environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive quality leadership experience.
• Direct experience developing and managing ISO 9001 programs.
• Strong knowledge of energetic materials production processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System.
• Mentor and develop direct reports.
• Oversee quality operations for black powder manufacturing.

Skills

Quality leadership experience

ISO 9001 program management

Statistical software proficiency

Auditing and root cause analysis

Lean/Six Sigma methodologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Minitab

Job description

Overview

Goex Industries LLC (Goex), a subsidiary of Estes Energetics, is the last remaining commercial-scale black powder manufacturer in the United States. We serve competitive and recreational shooters, re-enactors, muzzleloading hunters, fireworks manufacturers, and the U.S. Military. We are an American manufacturer of black powder, chemicals, and rocket motors, supporting the Department of Defense, domestic production, history preservation, hunting and shooting sports, and rocket education for youth. Join our team and help carry forward a legacy of American innovation and impact.

Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Quality Manager to lead and oversee our Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with ISO 9001 standards. This role ensures high levels of product quality and safety in the design, development, and manufacturing of black powder. The Quality Manager will develop, implement, and maintain quality systems, manage audits, and lead continuous improvement initiatives in a high-reliability, high-compliance environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement in quality and safety.
• Mentor, coach, and develop direct reports to build organizational capability.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of an ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System.
• Serve as primary liaison for customer, regulatory, and third-party quality audits, understanding customer needs and oversight requirements.
• Lead supplier quality management programs and ensure external partners meet applicable specifications and standards.
• Oversee quality operations for black powder manufacturing, monitoring and evaluating internal production processes, and ensuring products meet governing specifications and Goex standards.
• Determine analytical tests needed, perform and oversee tests, assess effectiveness of changes, and ensure quality assurance, data tracking, and COA generation for customers.
• Establish and maintain documentation of data, analytical test procedures, and equipment calibration certificates.
• Ensure current specifications, QA requirements, and analytical procedures are used.
• Hire for and train personnel in quality procedures, standards, and best practices.
• Manage internal audits, root cause analysis (RCA), and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) to resolve issues and drive performance improvements.
• Establish and maintain statistical quality control (SQC) systems to ensure laboratory data integrity, including round-robin testing, proficiency checks, and control charting.
• Develop, monitor, and report on key quality performance metrics (e.g., yield, defect rates, nonconformances, customer and supplier scores).
• Create Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other work instructions.
• Develop and manage the MRB (Material Review Board) and nonconformance resolution processes.
• Ensure compliance with data integrity standards for quality records.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Logistics, Engineering, Safety, and Compliance to embed quality into all phases of the product lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with DoD, ATF, LSP, DOT, and OSHA regulations, particularly regarding the manufacture, storage, handling, and transport of explosive materials.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive quality leadership experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Direct experience developing and managing ISO 9001 programs.
• Strong knowledge of energetic materials production processes.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., Minitab) and applying statistical tools for process analysis and data-driven decisions.
• Proficient in auditing, root cause analysis, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
• Familiar with regulatory and safety standards applicable to explosive and hazardous chemical manufacturing.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively across all levels, including executives, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain explosives handling clearance (if not already held).
• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, or related technical field.
• ISO 9100 QMS leadership experience and ISO 9100 QMS lead auditor certification.
• Experience with MIL-STD, DoD, NASA, and DOT quality requirements.
• Experience interpreting DoD product requirements and writing DoD proposals.

Soft Skills and Leadership

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for executives, regulators, and operators.

Work Environment

The work will be primarily in office, manufacturing, and explosives storage environments. Some time may be spent handling chemicals and explosives.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable with various postures and movements common in manufacturing settings (sitting, standing, climbing, bending).
• Exposure to industrial machines, heat, cold, and energetic materials.
• Frequent movement through a manufacturing environment and use of personal protective equipment as required.

Travel

0-10%, primarily to the Penrose, CO area.

Position Type and Hours

Full-time position.

Benefits

• Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
• Life and disability insurance – 100% paid by company
• 401(k) with 7% company match, vesting at 30 days
• Comprehensive PTO policy and 9 paid holidays

Work Authorization

Must be a US citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined in 8 USC 1324b.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Estes Energetics/Goex provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Additional information available at the Department of Labor OFCCP posters.

Other

Please note this job description is not exhaustive; duties may change at any time with or without notice.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Quality Assurance

Industries

• Business Content

For information on new Quality Assurance Manager roles in Minden, LA, please refer to the posting.