Quality Manager in Columbia

Energy Jobline ZR; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-Time

Bonus Eligible

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

3 weeks paid vacation

8 sick days

11 paid holidays

401(k) matching up to 6%

Relocation support

Job summary

Gates seeks a Quality Manager to lead day-to-day quality operations at the Columbia, MO plant and provide strategic quality support to the Galesburg, IL location. You will own site quality performance, systems, compliance, and continuous improvement while aligning with company standards.

You will oversee audits, CAPA, PPAP, and APQP-based quality processes, partnering with NPD and cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and timely launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or technical field.
• 5+ years in progressive quality assurance in manufacturing with leadership.
• Travel up to 15% to Galesburg location.
• Experience leading site-level quality systems and cross-site alignment.
• Proven ability to coach and develop quality teams with accountability.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949; APQP/PPAP proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance/control across two sites to meet customer, regulatory and industry requirements.
• Drive quality initiatives and CAPA to meet strategic objectives and improve performance.
• Oversee root cause investigations and timely resolution of issues.
• Lead QMS compliance, audits, and Layered Process Audits.
• Collaborate with NPD and site stakeholders on APQP-based quality systems for launches.
• Manage PPAP submissions for qualification of products and components.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and leadership to strengthen quality performance.
• Provide leadership and development to Quality Supervisors, Engineers and Technicians.
• Ensure compliance with ISO/IATF standards and quality methodologies.

Skills

Quality Management

Leadership

ISO 9001

IATF 16949

APQP/PPAP

Minitab

Six Sigma

SPC

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business/Engineering/Technical

Tools

Minitab

SPC

Job description

Job DescriptionAre you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

WHAT TO EXPECT

As an innovation leader, we look for ambitious, forward thinking, open-minded and well-rounded individuals to join our global team. Located in our Columbia, MO plant, you will be a Quality Manager.

As Quality Manager, you will lead day-to-day quality operations at our Columbia, facility, while providing strategic quality support and oversight to our Galesburg, IL location.

Columbia will be your primary area of responsibility, with direct ownership of site quality performance, systems, compliance, and continuous improvement. For Galesburg, you will serve as a quality partner, providing guidance, coaching, and support to strengthen quality systems, audit readiness, corrective actions, and alignment with company standards.

Key responsibilities (to name a few):

• Lead quality assurance and quality control activities across both sites, ensuring products meet or exceed customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Drive quality initiatives and corrective and preventive actions across value streams to achieve strategic quality objectives and improve overall performance.
• Oversee root cause investigations and ensure timely, effective resolution of customer, warranty, and supplier quality issues.
• Lead Quality Management System (QMS) compliance, audit readiness, and internal audit processes, including Layered Process Audits.
• Partner with New Product Development and site stakeholders to apply APQP-based quality systems, support successful product launches, and minimize quality and defect risks.
• Manage the PPAP submission process to ensure timely and accurate qualification of products for customers and incoming supplier components.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Corporate Quality, suppliers, and site leadership to strengthen quality performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development to Quality Supervisors, Engineers, and Technicians, promoting consistency, accountability, and quality best practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable quality standards and requirements, including ISO and IATF 16949.

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor's Degree required; in Business, Engineering, or Technical related field
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive quality assurance experience within a manufacturing environment, including demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Ability to travel up to 15% - to Galesburg Location.
• Proven experience leading site-level quality systems and driving alignment, consistency, and continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop Quality Supervisors, Engineers, Technicians, and other quality professionals while establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Experience partnering with plant leadership, Operations, Engineering, Corporate Quality, and other cross-functional teams to influence quality performance and business results.
• Ability to balance day-to-day quality leadership at the primary manufacturing site with strategic oversight and support of quality initiatives at an additional facility.
• Experience within Tier 1 automotive or automotive supplier manufacturing environments .
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 Quality Management Systems.
• Proficiency with automotive industry core tools, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, and MSA.
• Proficiency with structured quality problem-solving methodologies and tools, including 5-Why, Cause-and-Effect Diagrams, Design of Experiments (DOE), and 8D.
• Experience with quality and statistical analysis software, including Minitab and SPC tools, is a plus.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Green Belt through ASQ or an equivalent organization are .
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

BENEFITS

• Full-Time
• Bonus Eligible
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options:
  • Benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
• Eligible for 3 weeks of paid vacation, additionally 8 sick days
• 11 paid holidays
• 401(k): company matching up to 6%
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts
• Relocation support is available for qualified candidates open to relocating to the Columbia, MO / surrounding area.

WHY GATES?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of , , , , , , , citizenship, , , , protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.