Quality Manager

Tailored Adhesives; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tailored Adhesives is seeking a Quality Manager to lead the QMS, ensure ISO 9001 compliance, and drive continuous improvement across manufacturing, QA, and lab operations.

You will collaborate with Production, Engineering, and Leadership to reduce defects, improve processes, and ensure customer and regulatory requirements are met. Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of quality management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Thorough knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience conducting internal and external quality audits.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the company's Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001 standards.
• Oversee product quality throughout the manufacturing process.
• Lead internal quality audits and coordinate external audits.
• Develop corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) from audits and nonconformances.
• Investigate customer complaints and coordinate corrective actions with relevant departments.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and waste.
• Supervise Quality department personnel and support training.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and industry regulations.

Skills

Quality management

Audits

Analytical

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Quality Manager

Position Summary

The Quality Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the company's Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure products and processes consistently meet customer, regulatory, and company requirements. This position leads quality assurance initiatives, oversees laboratory operations, manages ISO 9001 compliance, and drives continuous improvement throughout the organization.

The Quality Manager partners with Production, Operations, Customer Service, Purchasing, Engineering, and Leadership to improve product quality, reduce waste, resolve quality issues, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Management System (QMS)

• Manage and maintain the company's Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001 standards.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Develop, review, and maintain quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and forms.
• Monitor key quality metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead Management Review meetings and report quality performance to executive leadership.

Quality Assurance

• Oversee product quality throughout the manufacturing process.
• Ensure raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods meet established specifications.
• Review and approve quality documentation, test results, and product releases.
• Monitor laboratory testing and quality control activities.
• Analyze quality data to identify trends and implement corrective actions.

Audits & Compliance

• Lead internal quality audits and coordinate external customer, registrar, and supplier audits.
• Maintain ISO 9001 certification and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Develop corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) resulting from audits and nonconformances.
• Ensure timely closure and verification of corrective actions.
• Support customer quality assessments and supplier evaluations.

Customer Quality

• Investigate customer complaints and product quality issues.
• Lead root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Coordinate corrective actions with Production, Operations, and Customer Service.
• Monitor customer satisfaction metrics and quality performance indicators.
• Prepare customer responses related to quality concerns.

Laboratory Management

• Supervise Quality Control personnel and laboratory operations.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained and calibrated.
• Verify testing methods, retain samples, and quality records.
• Monitor laboratory workload and staffing requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, improve processes, and eliminate waste.
• Utilize quality tools such as root cause analysis, CAPA, control charts, Pareto analysis, and statistical process control where appropriate.
• Partner with Operations to improve manufacturing efficiency while maintaining product quality.
• Promote a culture of quality throughout the organization.

Leadership

• Supervise Quality department personnel.
• Develop employee training related to quality systems and procedures.
• Conduct performance evaluations and coaching.
• Develop departmental goals and performance metrics.
• Foster teamwork and accountability within the Quality department.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and applicable industry regulations.
• Maintain accurate quality records and documentation.
• Support new product introductions and process changes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of quality management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Previous supervisory or management experience.
• Thorough knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience conducting internal and external quality audits.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in adhesives, chemicals, coatings, polymers, or industrial manufacturing.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification.
• ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or similar certification.
• Experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics GP, SalesPad, SAP, or Oracle.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Sit, stand, and walk throughout office, laboratory, and manufacturing areas.
• Occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while in manufacturing or laboratory environments.
• Travel occasionally to customer sites, supplier locations, or company facilities.

ESSENTIAL SCREENING