Quality Manager

Creative Liquid Coatings, Inc.; Kendallville (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Creative Liquid Coatings, Inc. is seeking a Quality Manager to lead the QMS, drive a zero-defects culture, and ensure ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 compliance across manufacturing.

You will mentor Quality Engineers, Technicians, and auditors while overseeing audits, CAPAs, and supplier quality programs. You will partner cross-functionally to reduce COPQ, manage budgets, and deliver robust quality metrics in a fast-paced plant environment in Kendallville, Indiana, with a focus on continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 5–10 years of quality leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC, Six Sigma, and Lean.
• Experience leading audits, corrective actions, and cross‑functional teams.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality leadership and strategic direction for the plant.
• Coach and develop Quality Engineers, Auditors, Technicians, and staff.
• Manage quality staffing, training, performance evaluations, and budgets.
• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead internal audits, management reviews, and corrective actions.
• Drive customer complaint resolution and supplier quality activities.
• Track quality KPIs and lead continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Quality leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Audits & corrective actions

Six Sigma

Problem solving

Data analysis

Communication skills

Lean

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

MSA & SPC tools

Job description

Job Description

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and managing all quality functions to ensure products, processes, and systems meet customer, regulatory, and company requirements at Creative Liquid Coatings, Inc. This role owns the Quality Management System (QMS), drives a zero‑defects culture, leads customer complaint resolution, and ensures ongoing compliance with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 standards. The Quality Manager partners cross‑functionally to reduce variation, minimize Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), and support operational excellence across manufacturing operations.

Quality Leadership & Department Management

• Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team, providing quality leadership and strategic direction.
• Lead, coach, and develop Quality Engineers, Auditors, Technicians, Laboratory staff, and Inspectors.
• Manage quality staffing, training plans, performance evaluations, timekeeping, and departmental budgets.
• Identify quality skill gaps and implement training, mentoring, and development programs.
• Promote and sustain a zero‑defects mindset and strong quality culture throughout the organization.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the Quality Management System.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, customer‑specific requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Lead internal audits, layered process audits, management reviews, and corrective action tracking.
• Prepare for and support external audits, including customer, certification body, and regulatory audits.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and control plans.

Customer & Supplier Quality

• Lead customer feedback, complaint resolution, containment, and corrective action processes (8D, A3, Red X, Six Sigma).
• Ensure timely and effective customer responses through portals, scorecards, and direct communication.
• Represent the plant on significant customer and supplier quality issues.
• Support supplier quality activities, including APQP/PPAP reviews and incoming material compliance.

Product & Process Quality Engineering

• Lead APQP, Safe Launch, PPAP, and new program quality activities, and quality activities for part and program revisions after initial launch.
• Oversee inspection methods, testing, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and process capability tracking.
• Lead variation‑reduction and process‑improvement projects to reduce defects and COPQ.
• Ensure effective control of non‑conforming product, containment actions, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Support inter‑plant quality issue resolution and finished‑goods quality concerns.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, track, and report quality KPIs aligned with customer and internal performance targets.
• Analyze quality and reliability data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Establish and execute improvement plans when quality performance falls below expectations.
• Support Lean, 5S, and continuous‑improvement initiatives across operations.
• Develop and maintain warranty tracking and reliability forecasting processes.

Safety & Housekeeping

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations within quality operations.
• Promote safe work practices and maintain housekeeping standards within the quality department.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support plant and business objectives.

Skill and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field required; equivalent experience considered.
• 5–10 years of experience in quality leadership within a manufacturing environment.
• Automotive manufacturing experience preferred (injection molding, plating, assembly).
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC, Six Sigma, and Lean.
• Demonstrated experience leading audits, corrective actions, and cross‑functional teams.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in both manufacturing and office environments.
• Exposure to noise, airborne particles, fumes, chemicals, and moving machinery.
• Typical schedule is 8–10 hours per day; flexibility required based on business needs.
• Occasional travel required for customer, supplier, or audit support.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in production areas.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Authority

• Authority to implement and enforce quality systems, policies, and procedures.
• Authority to initiate containment actions, corrective actions, and process changes.
• Authority to stop production or shipment due to quality concerns.
• Authority to represent Creative Liquid Coatings, Inc. on quality matters with customers and suppliers.
• Authority to elevate quality risks to plant and executive leadership.
• Authority to recommend process, equipment, and QMS improvements.

Company Description

With over 30 years of industry experience and a footprint spanning 10 United States locations, Creative Liquid Coatings is a powerhouse in integrated manufacturing. We bridge the gap between complex plastic injection molding and world‑class automated finishing, utilizing a fleet of over 150 machines ranging from 85 to 5,000 tons. Our versatile paint lines accommodate a wide range of component sizes, providing a seamless, end‑to‑end production solution that combines massive scale with precision engineering for the most demanding industrial applications.