Quality Manager

Gates Corporation; Brandon (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

3 weeks vacation

8 sick days

11 holidays

401(k) matching

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Relocation support

Job summary

Gates Corporation in Brandon, SD is seeking a Quality Manager to lead quality initiatives across the manufacturing process. You will guide materials to finished products, drive CAPA, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet customer expectations.

You will oversee audits, supplier quality improvements, and the QMS, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949. This role demands leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on problem solving in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years in quality assurance manufacturing with 3 years in leadership.
• Strong knowledge of automotive quality core tools (APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA).
• Experience with root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Minitab and SPC software.
• Professional certifications preferred (CQE/CQA/CQM or Six Sigma).
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality improvement initiatives to improve product quality and reduce defects.
• Oversee investigations and resolution of customer, warranty, and supplier quality issues via CAPA.
• Support APQP, PPAP, and successful product launches.
• Manage PPAP to ensure accurate product qualifications.
• Lead internal quality audits and Layered Process Audits (LPA).
• Collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality concerns and improve supplier performance.
• Identify gaps in quality control and implement improvements to reduce costs of quality.
• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS) to ISO 9001, IATF 16949, etc.
• Provide leadership and development to Quality Technicians and Auditors.
• Partner with plant leadership to drive quality performance.

Skills

Leadership

Quality mindset

Coaching & development

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field

CQE / CQM / CQA or Six Sigma Black Belt certification

Tools

Minitab

SPC software

Job description

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

What To Expect

As an innovation leader, we look for ambitious, forward thinking, open-minded and well-rounded individuals to join our global team. Located in our Brandon, SD- Sioux Falls Metro plant, you will be a Quality Manager.

As the Quality Manager, this position provides leadership and direction for quality management across all phases of the manufacturing process, from raw materials to finished products. The role is responsible for guiding the site’s quality initiatives, ensuring product compliance, resolving customer and supplier quality concerns, and driving continuous improvement through root cause analysis and corrective actions.

As a key quality leader, this position works closely with plant leadership, cross-functional teams, customers, and suppliers to establish quality standards, strengthen processes, and improve overall performance.

Key Responsibilities (to Name a Few)

• Lead and execute quality improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations to improve product quality, reduce defects, and meet key performance goals.
• Oversee investigations and resolution of customer, warranty, and supplier quality issues using root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Partner with new product development and cross-functional teams to support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), minimize quality risks, and ensure successful product launches.
• Manage the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) to ensure accurate and timely product qualifications.
• Lead internal quality audits and Layered Process Audits (LPA) to ensure compliance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality concerns, improve incoming material inspections, and strengthen supplier performance.
• Identify gaps in quality control processes and implement improvements to reduce defects, waste, and the Cost of Poor Quality.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with applicable standards, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and API Q1.
• Oversee quality-related change management activities to ensure changes are properly implemented, validated, and effective.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development to Quality Technicians and Quality Auditors, including performance management and succession planning.
• Partner with plant leadership, operations, corporate quality, and cross-functional teams to drive quality performance and achieve business objectives.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree required; Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field preferred
• 5 + years of experience in quality assurance manufacturing environment with 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of automotive quality core tools, including APQP, PPAP, SPC, and MSA.
• Experience with quality problem-solving methodologies, including 5-Why, Fishbone Diagrams, Design of Experiments (DOE), and 8D.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate teams to achieve results.
• Results-oriented with strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with quality management and statistical analysis software, such as Minitab and SPC applications, preferred.
• Professional certifications, including Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Black Belt - preferred
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future company sponsorship.

Benefits

• Full-Time
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options:
  • Benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
• Eligible for 3 weeks of paid vacation, additionally 8 sick days
• 11 paid holidays
• 401(k): company matching up to 6%
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts
• Relocation support is available for qualified candidates open to relocating to Brandon, SD -Sioux Falls, SD Metropolitan / surrounding area.

WHY GATES?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.