Quality Manager

Gates Corporation; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-Time

Bonus Eligible

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Matching

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

Gates Corporation in Columbia, MO seeks a Quality Manager to lead day-to-day quality operations at the Columbia site and provide strategic quality support to the Galesburg, IL location.

You will own site quality performance, drive ISO/IATF 16949 compliance, lead QMS audits, and partner with cross-functional teams to ensure APQP-based product launches and continuous improvement across both sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; in Business, Engineering, or Technical related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive quality assurance experience within a manufacturing environment, including leadership responsibility.
• Ability to travel up to 15% - to Galesburg Location.
• Experience leading site-level quality systems across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop Quality Supervisors, Engineers, Technicians and others.
• Experience partnering with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to influence quality performance.
• ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 knowledge; automotive industry tools experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead QA and QC activities across both sites to meet customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Drive quality initiatives and CAPA to improve performance.
• Oversee root cause investigations and timely resolutions of issues.
• Lead QMS compliance, audit readiness, and internal audits including Layered Process Audits.
• Partner with NPD and site stakeholders to apply APQP-based quality systems for product launches.
• Manage PPAP submissions to qualify products and components.
• Coordinate with Operations, Engineering, Corporate Quality and site leadership to strengthen quality performance.
• Provide leadership and development to Quality Supervisors, Engineers and Technicians.
• Ensure compliance with ISO and IATF 16949.

Skills

Leadership

Quality assurance

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Strategic quality oversight

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Minitab

SPC tools

APQP

PPAP

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 Columbia, MO plant, you will be a Quality Manager.

As Quality Manager, you will lead day-to-day quality operations at our Columbia, facility, while providing strategic quality support and oversight to our Galesburg, IL location.

Columbia will be your primary area of responsibility, with direct ownership of site quality performance, systems, compliance, and continuous improvement. For Galesburg, you will serve as a quality partner, providing guidance, coaching, and support to strengthen quality systems, audit readiness, corrective actions, and alignment with company standards.

Key responsibilities (to name a few):

• Lead quality assurance and quality control activities across both sites, ensuring products meet or exceed customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Drive quality initiatives and corrective and preventive actions across value streams to achieve strategic quality objectives and improve overall performance.
• Oversee root cause investigations and ensure timely, effective resolution of customer, warranty, and supplier quality issues.
• Lead Quality Management System (QMS) compliance, audit readiness, and internal audit processes, including Layered Process Audits.
• Partner with New Product Development and site stakeholders to apply APQP-based quality systems, support successful product launches, and minimize quality and defect risks.
• Manage the PPAP submission process to ensure timely and accurate qualification of products for customers and incoming supplier components.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Corporate Quality, suppliers, and site leadership to strengthen quality performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development to Quality Supervisors, Engineers, and Technicians, promoting consistency, accountability, and quality best practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable quality standards and requirements, including ISO and IATF 16949.

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor's Degree required; in Business, Engineering, or Technical related field preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive quality assurance experience within a manufacturing environment, including demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Ability to travel up to 15% - to Galesburg Location.
• Proven experience leading site-level quality systems and driving alignment, consistency, and continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop Quality Supervisors, Engineers, Technicians, and other quality professionals while establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Experience partnering with plant leadership, Operations, Engineering, Corporate Quality, and other cross-functional teams to influence quality performance and business results.
• Ability to balance day-to-day quality leadership at the primary manufacturing site with strategic oversight and support of quality initiatives at an additional facility.
• Experience within Tier 1 automotive or automotive supplier manufacturing environments preferred.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 Quality Management Systems.
• Proficiency with automotive industry core tools, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, and MSA.
• Proficiency with structured quality problem-solving methodologies and tools, including 5-Why, Cause-and-Effect Diagrams, Design of Experiments (DOE), and 8D.
• Experience with quality and statistical analysis software, including Minitab and SPC tools, is a plus.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Green Belt through ASQ or an equivalent organization are preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

BENEFITS

• Full-Time
• Bonus Eligible
• 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 the Columbia, MO / 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.