Quality Manager - Automotive Experience Required

Keystone Distinction Group; Defiance, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day-one benefits

Medical, dental & vision insurance on

401K with match

Annual bonus potential

Paid holidays

PTO

HSA contribution

Bonus potential

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group in the Defiance, Ohio area is seeking a Quality Manager with automotive and IATF background to lead the plant's quality function and coach a high-performance team on the factory floor.

You will own QMS & IATF 16949 processes, manage customer responses and root-cause analysis, guide APQP, PFMEAs and control plans, and drive continuous improvement through training, KPI reporting, and executive reviews.

Qualifications

• Experience overseeing quality in automotive supplier environments.
• Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949 and audits.
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Formal problem solving skills.
• Ability to read blueprints.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant quality function and mentor a high-performance team.
• Own QMS and IATF 16949 processes and internal/auditing programs.
• Address customer complaints with structured problem solving (8D, 5-Why).
• Lead APQP, PFMEA, control plans, work instructions, PPAPs, and audit plans.
• Drive CI through Lean techniques and staff training.
• Establish KPI reporting and lead executive quality reviews.
• Perform other duties as directed by management.

Skills

Mathematics proficiency

Problem solving

Leadership / coaching

Communication

Blueprint reading

Excel

Education

High school diploma

Technical education

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Quality Manager - Automotive Experience Required

Defiance, Ohio area

Day-One Benefits & Financial Rewards: Gain immediate peace of mind with medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one, complemented by a strong 401K plan and annual bonus potential.

Predictable Schedule & Great Culture: Enjoy exceptional work-life balance with no overnight travel and no weekend work, while overseeing a high-performing staff alongside a long-tenured team in a business-casual environment.

Immediate Impact & Daily Engagement: Step into a deeply rewarding role packed with dynamic daily challenges where you can make an immediate, tangible mark on plant operations right out of the gate.

Leverage Your Automotive Expertise: Put your strong automotive supplier background and IATF experience to work—giving you a massive head start to ramp up quickly and excel in a fast‑paced environment.

Stability Through Diversity: Build your career with an established organization that leverages a diverse business mix to ensure long‑term operational stability and steady growth.

A fast‑paced, established, stable manufacturer is seeking a proven Quality Manager with automotive and IATF background to join their management team and lead their team of quality professionals. Daily will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Plant Quality Leadership: Provide daily leadership for the plant’s quality function by building, mentoring, and directing a high-performance team.
• QMS & IATF 16949 Ownership: 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.
• Customer Responsiveness & Root Cause Analysis: Urgently address customer complaints and quality issues using structured problem‑solving tools (8D, 5-Why) to implement robust corrective actions.
• Technical Documentation: Lead and/or support the APQP process, including the development and continuous improvement of PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, PPAPs, and audit plans.
• Continuous Improvement & Training: Deploy continuous training in Lean statistical disciplines to empower staff in problem‑solving while supporting site‑wide continuous improvement (CI) projects.
• Executive Metrics & Operational Reviews: Establish KPI reporting, lead executive quality reviews, and collaborate with senior leadership to align quality strategies with broader business objectives.
• Other duties as directed by management.

Candidates must be strong technically, have excellent math skills and problem solving abilities, be able to coach and mentor others, communicate well in writing and verbally at all levels, be detail and process oriented, be willing to perform hands‑on quality functions and willing to do quality presentations. This position requires candidates to be on the manufacturing floor up to 20% of the time. Medical benefits are available day one of employment. Other benefits include bonus potential, HSA contribution, paid holidays, PTO, and 401K match.

REQUIREMENTS for the Quality Manager:

1. Minimum of a high school diploma; post-secondary technical education is highly preferred
2. Experience overseeing quality in automotive supplier environments
3. Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, including certifications, audits, etc.
4. Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions
5. Formal problem solving skills
6. Customer communication related to quality issues and status
7. Ability to read blueprints
8. Excellent math skills
9. Microsoft Office, including strong Excel skills

Skills preferred but NOT required:

1. IATF Certified Internal Auditor
2. Quality certification
3. Direct supervision of others

Why work for this organization:

• Company has a diverse business mix
• Medical, dental and vision insurance available day one of employment
• Business casual work environment
• Excellent tenure amongst salaried staff
• EXCELLENT benefits, including 401K and bonus potential

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