Quality Manager – Automotive Experience Required

Software Placement Group, SPG; Defiance (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Bonus potential

HSA contribution

Paid holidays

PTO

401K match

Job summary

Software Placement Group (SPG) is seeking a Quality Manager with automotive IATF background to lead a skilled team in Defiance, OH. The role focuses on maintaining IATF compliance, driving root-cause analysis, and coordinating APQP activities while working onsite with up to 20% floor time.

You will mentor staff, implement robust corrective actions, and align quality strategies with plant goals in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Experience in automotive supplier quality leadership.
• IATF 16949 knowledge and audits.
• Root cause analysis and corrective actions experience.
• Formal problem-solving skills.
• Customer communication on quality issues.
• Blueprint reading skills.
• Strong math skills.
• MS Office proficiency, especially Excel.
• Strong technical and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, hands-on quality work, presentations.
• Willing to be on the manufacturing floor up to 20% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership for the plant's quality function by building, mentoring, and directing a high-performance team.
• Maintain and control quality management processes to ensure compliance with customer standards, acting as the primary company lead for IATF 16949 regulatory bodies and internal auditing programs.
• Urgently address customer complaints and quality issues using structured problem-solving tools (8D, 5-Why) to implement robust corrective actions.
• Lead and/or support the APQP process, including development and continuous improvement of PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, PPAPs, and audit plans.
• Deploy continuous training in Lean statistical disciplines to empower staff in problem-solving while supporting site-wide continuous improvement (CI) projects.
• Establish KPI reporting, lead executive quality reviews, and collaborate with senior leadership to align quality strategies with broader business objectives.
• Perform other duties as directed by management.

Skills

Quality leadership

IATF 16949 knowledge

Root cause analysis

Problem solving

Customer communication

Blueprint reading

Excel

MS Office

Technical skills

Communication skills

Presentations

On-floor presence

Education

High school diploma

Technical education

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Location: Defiance, OH | Schedule: full-time, on-site (up to 20% on manufacturing floor) | Compensation: not specified

Overview

A fast-paced, established, stable manufacturer with a diverse business mix is seeking a proven Quality Manager with automotive and IATF background to join their management team and lead a team of quality professionals. This role offers immediate impact on plant operations and the opportunity to build and mentor a high-performing quality staff.

What you'll do

• Provide daily leadership for the plant's quality function by building, mentoring, and directing a high-performance team
• Maintain and control quality management processes to ensure compliance with customer standards, acting as the primary company lead for IATF 16949 regulatory bodies and internal auditing programs
• Urgently address customer complaints and quality issues using structured problem-solving tools (8D, 5-Why) to implement robust corrective actions
• Lead and/or support the APQP process, including development and continuous improvement of PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, PPAPs, and audit plans
• Deploy continuous training in Lean statistical disciplines to empower staff in problem-solving while supporting site-wide continuous improvement (CI) projects
• Establish KPI reporting, lead executive quality reviews, and collaborate with senior leadership to align quality strategies with broader business objectives
• Perform other duties as directed by management

Required qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma
• Experience overseeing quality in automotive supplier environments
• Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, including certifications and audits
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Formal problem solving skills
• Experience with customer communication related to quality issues and status
• Ability to read blueprints
• Excellent math skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including strong Excel skills
• Strong technical ability, problem solving abilities, and written/verbal communication skills at all levels
• Willingness to be detail and process oriented, perform hands-on quality functions, and give quality presentations
• Willingness to be on the manufacturing floor up to 20% of the time

Preferred qualifications

• Post-secondary technical education highly preferred
• IATF Certified Internal Auditor preferred
• Quality certification preferred
• Direct supervision of others preferred

Compensation and benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits available day one of employment
• Bonus potential
• HSA contribution
• Paid holidays
• PTO
• 401K match

Why this role

This organization offers a predictable schedule with no overnight travel and no weekend work, a business-casual environment, excellent tenure among salaried staff, and the chance to make an immediate, tangible impact on plant operations.