Quality Manager

Orion Castings; Maple Lake (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Castings is seeking a Quality Manager to own the ISO 9001 QMS and drive quality across the plant. You will lead the quality team, oversee die casting and precision CNC machining quality, and manage supplier and customer interfaces.

The role requires hands-on experience with APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, SPC and MSA, plus strong GD&T and root-cause problem solving. On-site position with up to 10% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, metallurgy, or related field.
• 8+ years manufacturing quality experience; 3+ years leading a quality team.
• Experience with die casting and precision CNC machining.
• Hands-on ISO 9001 experience including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and MSA.
• Track record leading 8D and root cause analysis with customers.
• Strong GD&T and blueprint reading.
• US person per ITAR (22 CFR 120.62).

Responsibilities

• Own ISO 9001 QMS and audits.
• Lead quality team across all shifts.
• Drive down scrap, defects and customer complaints.
• Lead APQP and PPAP submissions for new/changed parts.
• Manage supplier quality and supplier scorecards.
• Coordinate ITAR compliance for quality records and data.
• Lead 8D, containment and corrective actions.

Skills

Quality leadership

Data analysis

GD&T

Problem solving

Education

Engineering/Metallurgy degree

Tools

X-ray/CT

CMM

SPC software

Job description

Quality Manager – Die Casting and Precision Machining

Position Summary

The Quality Manager is responsible for the quality of every product the plant ships, the quality management system (QMS), and quality relationships across the supply chain, from suppliers to customers. Products include high-pressure die castings in multiple alloys that are machined in house and painted by outside vendors, and high-precision machined parts made from billet. The role leads the quality team and drives down scrap, defects and customer complaints.

Reports to

Direct reports

Quality Engineers, Quality Technicians, CMM Programmer

FLSA status

Location

On site; travel up to 10%

Key Responsibilities

Quality management system

• Own the ISO 9001 QMS and keep the plant certified; lead internal, customer and registrar audits.
• Support ITAR compliance for quality records, drawings and controlled technical data.
• Own control plans, PFMEAs, work instructions, calibration and MSA for all processes.

Product and process quality

• Die casting: Reduce porosity, cold shuts, flow lines, blisters and inclusions with Process Engineering; oversee alloy chemistry verification, X-ray/CT and leak testing.
• Machining: Control dimensional quality on machined castings and high-precision billet parts, including tight-tolerance features, GD&T, first-article and in-process inspection, and CMM programming.
• Use SPC, scrap and cost-of-poor-quality data to set priorities and track results.
• Serve as the primary quality contact for customers; manage portals, scorecards and PPM targets.
• Lead APQP and PPAP or first-article submissions for new and changed parts, including new program launches.
• Lead 8D, containment and corrective action for complaints; manage controlled shipping and returns.
• Approve, audit and develop suppliers of alloy, billet stock, tooling and outside processing; manage supplier scorecards and corrective actions.
• Manage outside paint and coating vendors, including specifications, incoming inspection and coating quality (pretreatment, film thickness, adhesion, cure and appearance).

Leadership

• Lead and develop the quality team across all shifts; set clear goals and hold the team accountable.
• Build quality ownership on the floor through layered process audits and operator training.
• Report quality KPIs to plant and corporate leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, metallurgy or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of manufacturing quality experience, including 3+ years leading a quality team.
• Experience with die casting and precision CNC machining.
• Hands-on ISO 9001 experience, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC and MSA.
• Track record leading 8D and root cause problem solving with customers.
• Strong GD&T and blueprint reading.
• Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.62), such as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, because the role requires access to ITAR-controlled technical data.

Preferred

• Experience in an ITAR-compliant or defense supply chain environment.
• Experience managing outside paint or coating suppliers.
• ASQ CQE or CMQ/OE, Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, or ISO 9001 lead auditor.
• Experience with X-ray/CT, CMM and porosity standards.
• Experience in a high-mix, multi-shift operation.

Skills

• Clear, direct communication with customers, suppliers, operators and executives.
• Strong data analysis (Excel, Minitab, SPC software).
• Sound containment decisions under pressure.

Working Conditions and Safety

The role splits time between the office and production areas with heat, noise, molten metal and machining operations.

• Follow plant safety rules for molten metal, chip and dust handling, and hot work.
• Wear required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe shoes, long sleeves and FR clothing in designated areas.
• Walk and stand for long periods, climb stairs and lift up to 35 lbs.
• Be available across shifts and occasional weekends for audits, launches or customer issues.

Orion Castings is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. This position requires access to export-controlled information; applicants must meet ITAR U.S. person requirements.