Quality Manager

Socket.dev; Cedar (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401K

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Aggressive Hydraulics seeks a Quality Manager to lead our Quality Management System and promote a culture where quality is everyone's responsibility. You will partner with production, engineering, and operations to prevent defects, resolve issues, and drive continuous improvement for customer satisfaction.

Lead the quality team, manage ISO 9001 activities, and coach on problem solving, ensuring compliance with internal specs and external requirements while strengthening quality performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent mix of education and experience.
• 4+ years of quality experience in manufacturing.
• Experience maintaining and improving QMS.
• Experience leading corrective actions and root-cause analysis.
• Strong collaboration across departments and clear communication.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Quality team by setting priorities and goals.
• Define and monitor quality objectives aligned to company goals.
• Maintain and improve ISO 9001 QMS, audits, reviews, and certification.
• Manage non-conformances, corrective actions, and root-cause investigations.
• Support production on the shop floor to prevent defects.
• Inspect products to verify compliance with requirements.
• Gather quality metrics and drive data-driven improvements.
• Partner with suppliers, engineers, and customers on issues.

Skills

Quality management

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Effective communication

Problem solving methodologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Position Description

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading Aggressive Hydraulics' Quality Management System while promoting a culture where quality is everyone's responsibility. This hands-on leader provides leadership, management, and accountability for the Quality team, ensuring product compliance with internal specifications and standards as well as operational compliance with external requirements, including ISO 9001. They partner closely with production, engineering, and operations to prevent defects, resolve issues, drive continuous improvement, and strengthen customer satisfaction. The Quality Manager balances accountability with collaboration, focusing on root-cause problem solving, employee engagement, and sustainable process improvements that strengthen quality performance and customer satisfaction

Primary Objectives:

• Maintain and continuously improve the company's ISO-compliant Quality Management System.
• Drive a culture of prevention by identifying quality risks before they impact customers.
• Lead investigation and resolution of non-conformances through collaborative root cause analysis.
• Support production teams in achieving quality objectives through coaching, training, and hands-on involvement.
• Build strong partnerships across departments to improve processes and reduce defects.
• Ensure customer expectations are met through consistent adherence to quality standards.
• Develop employees' understanding and ownership of quality throughout the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and support Quality team members by setting priorities, expectations, and department goals.
• Define, monitor, and achieve quality objectives that support company goals, customer requirements, and profitable growth.
• Maintain and continuously improve the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, including internal audits, Management Reviews, corrective actions, and certification activities.
• Manage non-conformances, product deviations, corrective actions, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives while communicating findings across departments.
• Support production teams by spending time on the shop floor, identifying risks, verifying process compliance, and preventing defects from reaching customers.
• Inspect incoming, in-process, and finished products to ensure compliance with customer and company requirements.
• Establish and maintain quality plans, calibration programs, and the integrity of inspection, measuring, and test equipment.
• Gather, analyze, and communicate quality metrics, statistical data, warranty trends, customer feedback, and key performance indicators to drive improvement and reduce Cost of Quality.
• Partner with employees, supervisors, engineers, suppliers, and customers to investigate issues and implement practical, sustainable solutions.
• Manage supplier quality activities, including audits, vendor evaluations, non-conformance communication, and corrective action requests.
• Respond to customer quality requirements, including audits, surveys, Certificates of Conformance, PPAPs, and related documentation.
• Promote a culture of quality, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement through coaching, training, collaboration, and respectful problem-solving.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• 4+ years of quality experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience maintaining and improving Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Experience leading corrective actions, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of quality tools and problem-solving methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build productive working relationships.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate difficult quality concerns professionally and respectfully.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and quality-related reporting and documentation systems.
• GWC - Gets the role, Wants to do it, has the Capacity to do it.
• Alignment with our Core Values of Integrity, Aggressive, Team Pride, Expertise and Respect.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience leading internal and external audits.
• Experience in metal fabrication, machining, welding, hydraulics, or custom manufacturing environments.
• Experience working with ERP systems and manufacturing data.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout office, warehouse, and manufacturing environments on a regular basis.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform visual inspections of products, processes, and equipment.
• Ability to frequently use computers, quality systems, and standard office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to safely work in a manufacturing environment while wearing required PPE and perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Full time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical insurance through Medica + free in-home acute health care and on-job site health care through Nice for those enrolled on company's medical plan.
• 100% employer paid Health Partners Dental insurance for single and family (if enrolled on medical plan).
• 100% employer paid premiums for Short Term Disability, Long-Term Disability and $50,000 life insurance policy.
• 401K
• Additionally, full-time employees receive competitive Paid Time Off

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The anticipated hiring range is $80,000-$100,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Candidates with exceptional experience, certifications, and demonstrated success in quality leadership may potentially be considered for compensation outside of the posted range.
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