Quality Manager

Actalent; East Aurora (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer provided benefits (health, 
d

Job summary

Actalent in East Aurora, NY seeks a Quality Manager to lead site-wide quality systems, embedding robust processes from prototype through full-rate production and ensuring ISO 9001 and AS9100 compliance. You will serve as the primary quality interface for aerospace and defense customers, driving proactive quality improvements and measurable business impact.

You will mentor the Quality team, partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Sales and Customer Service, implement CAPA and audits,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline.
• Experience leading a quality team in a manufacturing setting.
• Aerospace/defense quality process experience.
• Hands‑on ISO 9001 and AS9100 maintenance and improvement.
• CAPA management with root-cause analysis.
• Auditing experience (internal, external, supplier).
• Translate customer requirements into internal actions and procedures.
• Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience supporting prototypes to full-rate production.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Quality department and talent development.
• Embed quality into manufacturing processes to reduce end-of-line reliance.
• Implement process-based quality systems and continuous improvement.
• Support cross-functional teams in CAPA and problem resolution.
• Develop and maintain audit programs, including supplier audits.
• Maintain ISO 9001 and AS9100 documentation and compliance.
• Own incoming quality control and supplier quality performance.
• Interface with customers as the face of quality.
• Drive supplier certification and product monitoring.
• Lead cross-functional projects delivering measurable quality improvements.

Skills

Quality leadership

Aerospace quality

ISO 9001 / AS9100

CAPA management

Audits (internal/external)

Supplier quality

Document control

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication skills

MS Office

Statistical analysis

MIL-PRF knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Job description

The Quality Manager leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of site-wide quality systems to ensure products and services consistently exceed total quality requirements. This role drives a transition from reactive to proactive quality by embedding robust quality processes into manufacturing, maintaining and enhancing ISO 9001 and AS9100, and serving as the primary quality interface for customers in an aerospace and defense manufacturing environment. The position offers the opportunity to build and strengthen a growing quality organization, deliver measurable business impact, and support products from prototype through full-rate production.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor the Quality department team, including Quality Engineers and supporting personnel, while developing talent and building a sustainable organization that supports future growth.
• Lead the quality team’s efforts to improve internal quality by embedding quality into manufacturing processes rather than relying solely on end-of-line inspection.
• Implement sustainable, process-based quality systems in production, including process controls, sample audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Sales, and Customer Service in resolving quality problems, implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and driving cross-functional improvement projects.
• Develop and maintain audit programs and procedures for all levels of audit activity, including internal and external audits and supplier audits.
• Maintain and continuously improve ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality management systems, ensuring document control, compliance, and effective quality system maintenance.
• Own incoming quality control and oversee supplier performance to quality requirements, including supplier quality initiatives, vendor certification, and establishment of effective acceptance criteria and product monitoring.
• Develop, implement, and sustain customer-specific quality requirements, ensuring they are translated into clear internal processes, controls, and documentation.
• Interface directly with customers as the face of quality, responding to quality concerns, leading corrective action efforts, and communicating root cause and corrective actions in a clear and timely manner.
• Ensure consistency of purchased components through vendor certification, effective acceptance criteria, and ongoing product monitoring and inspection.
• Provide quality process, tooling, and fixture support for new and sustaining product development, enabling one-piece flow and supporting products from prototype through full-rate production.
• Drive customer-specific quality problem resolution using established processes and tools, including root cause analysis, CAPA, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Embrace and utilize Daily Management processes to monitor performance, drive accountability, and ensure execution of quality and operational objectives.
• Lead projects involving cross-functional teams and external stakeholders, delivering measurable results and business impact through quality and process improvements.
• Review, maintain, and improve site-wide quality systems, policies, and procedures to support regulatory compliance and customer requirements.
• Respect and protect all confidential, privileged, personal, legally regulated, and proprietary information while performing all quality management activities.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience managing and leading a quality team in a manufacturing environment, including supervisory or management responsibilities.
• Quality management experience in the aerospace and defense industry, with strong understanding of manufacturing quality processes and controls.
• Hands-on experience with ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality management systems, including maintenance, implementation, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated expertise in CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) management, including root cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective actions.
• Experience conducting and overseeing internal and external audits, as well as supplier audits, to ensure compliance with quality standards and requirements.
• Ability to interpret customer quality requirements and translate them into internal actions, process improvements, and documented procedures.
• Experience supporting products from prototype through full-rate production, ensuring consistent quality throughout the product lifecycle.
• Strong project management skills, with demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and delivering measurable business results.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with strong written, verbal, and technical presentation abilities for both internal and customer-facing interactions.
• High level of organization and task focus, able to work effectively with little to no supervision while managing multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with common software tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Variation reduction and problem-solving skills, including mathematical and statistical analysis applied to quality and process improvement.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret strategic business information and templates relevant to quality and operations.
• Ability to solve practical and complex problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations with limited standardization.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a technical discipline.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with military specifications and MIL-PRF standards, such as Mil-PRF- and Mil-PRF-27.
• Variation reduction skills and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Mathematical and statistical analysis skills applied to quality data and process performance.
• Experience with internal and external auditing, including supplier audits and regulatory compliance assessments.
• Experience in customer-facing quality management, including managing customer corrective actions and quality-related communications.
• Knowledge of document control practices and compliance requirements within regulated industries.
• Experience with continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence tools, such as Daily Management processes.
• Supplier quality management experience, including supplier performance monitoring and qualification activities.
• Experience in organizational development and change management, particularly in growing manufacturing environments.
• Ability to drive accountability and execution across an organization through clear expectations and follow-through.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of East Aurora, NY.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $140000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Employer provided benefits (health, dental, vision, PTO, etc).

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in East Aurora,NY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.