Quality Manager – Manufacturing Operations

Goodwin Recruiting; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead QA/QC functions at a manufacturing facility in transition and ramp-up.

The role drives a strong quality culture, ensures customer and regulatory compliance, and partners with customers, suppliers, operations, and global teams to achieve product, process, and system excellence.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a technical field and 8+ years in quality management within manufacturing.
• Experience with automotive/industrial/chemical or related regulated sectors preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3 and core quality tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the site Quality Management System per ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Lead and mentor the quality team including engineers, inspectors, and lab personnel.
• Oversee QA/QC activities and drive continuous improvement initiatives across plant operations.
• Lead customer and supplier quality management, audits, and reporting.

Skills

Quality leadership

Data analysis

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Chemistry/ Materials Science

Tools

ISO 9001

IATF 16949

Job description

Quality ManagerPosition Overview

We are seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead and oversee all Quality Assurance and Quality Control functions at a manufacturing facility undergoing operational transition and production ramp-up. This individual will play a critical role in establishing a strong quality culture, ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements, and driving continuous improvement across plant operations. The position will serve as the key liaison between customers, suppliers, operations, and global quality teams to ensure product, process, and system excellence.

Quality Manager Responsibilities

Quality Systems & Leadership

• Develop, implement, and maintain the site Quality Management System in compliance with industry standards such as ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Lead and mentor the quality team, including engineers, inspectors, and laboratory personnel.
• Manage departmental goals, budgets, resource planning, and performance development initiatives.

Production Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee incoming, in-process, and final quality control activities to ensure product consistency and operational excellence.
• Lead investigations into customer complaints, non-conformances, and systemic quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Support implementation of process audit requirements and core quality tools including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Establish KPIs and utilize data analysis to drive process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Customer & Supplier Quality Management

• Serve as the primary contact for customer quality matters, audits, and quality reporting.
• Manage supplier quality performance through audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support quality requirements for customers in highly regulated and technical manufacturing environments.

Laboratory, Compliance & Risk Management

• Oversee laboratory operations, testing standards, and quality documentation processes to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Lead internal audits and support customer and third-party audit activities.
• Identify and mitigate quality-related business risks while ensuring regulatory compliance across operations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with operations, engineering, supply chain, and global quality teams to support operational integration and process improvements.
• Promote organization-wide quality awareness and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Quality Manager Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of quality management experience within a manufacturing environment, including leadership experience managing quality teams.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing industries such as automotive, industrial, chemical, advanced materials, or related sectors preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, and core quality methodologies/tools.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills utilizing tools such as 8D, A3, and 5Why.
• Ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels and with external stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, global, cross-functional manufacturing environment.

JOB ID: 182582#post

Claire Liu