Quality Manager

Top Prospect Group; Winsted (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Prospect Group is seeking a Quality Management System (QMS) leader to oversee ISO 9001 compliance and drive continuous improvement across manufacturing operations in Connecticut. You will lead audits, manage nonconformances, and mentor quality personnel.

Responsibilities include data analysis, calibration programs, and documentation controls, with cross‑functional collaboration to meet customer expectations and maintain certification integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Progressive quality leadership experience in manufacturing or aerospace.
• ISO 9001 certification experience with preferred AS9100 exposure.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills with BI tools.
• Proven ability to manage audits and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and administer the full scope of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Drive compliance with ISO, AS, and Nadcap certifications.
• Plan and oversee internal, supplier, customer, and third‑party audits.
• Champion continuous improvement to reduce defects and improve capability.
• Analyze quality data and present insights to site leadership.
• Serve as primary contact for customer quality matters and complaints.
• Maintain calibration, metrology, and cleanroom documentation controls.
• Collaborate to identify and resolve nonconformances and manage impacted inventory.
• Support supplier qualification, raw material sourcing, and production certification.
• Partner with Purchasing to acquire inspection equipment.
• Oversee training and certification programs for inspection personnel.
• Communicate quality performance and risks across teams and stakeholders.
• Refine procedures to align with site and corporate requirements.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to the quality team.
• Support technology implementation related to quality systems.

Skills

Quality leadership

Audit methodologies

Analytical thinking

Written and verbal communication

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Power BI

Job description

• Lead and administer the full scope of the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring objectives are met across operations and the extended value chain.
• Drive compliance with applicable industry and customer standards, including ISO, AS, and Nadcap certifications.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee internal, supplier, customer, and third‑party audits to maintain system integrity and accuracy.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing defects, enhancing process capability, and improving overall operational performance.
• Analyze quality and operational data, translating results into clear insights and recommendations for site and functional leadership.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer quality matters, including complaints, returns, and overall satisfaction.
• Establish and maintain systems supporting calibration, metrology, and cleanroom operations, ensuring complete and compliant documentation control.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to identify, contain, and resolve nonconformances, including effective control of impacted inventory.
• Support factory‑level quality activities tied to supplier qualification, raw material sourcing, capital equipment, and production certification.
• Partner with Purchasing to identify, justify, and acquire inspection and measurement equipment to support quality objectives.
• Oversee training, qualification, and certification programs for inspection personnel, addressing skill gaps and performance trends.
• Communicate quality performance, risks, and improvement opportunities across internal teams and with external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the ongoing refinement of procedures and processes to ensure alignment with site, group, and corporate requirements.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to develop team capabilities and support achievement of organizational goals.
• Support and participate in technology implementation and project planning related to quality systems and inspection processes.
• Experience with NDT methods and automated inspection technologies is beneficial.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of three to five years of progressive experience in quality management or quality system leadership.
• Demonstrated experience managing and maintaining a certified Quality Management System (ISO 9001 required; AS9100 strongly preferred).
• Working knowledge of aerospace manufacturing environments and applicable customer or regulatory standards is preferred.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, audit methodologies, process qualification, and quality system requirements.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools, including Microsoft Excel, ERP systems, and business intelligence platforms (e.g., Power BI).
• Solid grasp of risk‑based quality tools such as MSA, PFMEA, and process capability analysis.
• Formal training or experience in structured problem‑solving methodologies (Six Sigma or equivalent) is preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated analytical thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate and proactively manage quality risks.