Quality Manager – Sanford Advanced Manufacturing

Caterpillar; Sanford (NC); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) with match

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Job summary

Caterpillar is building a new Sanford Advanced Manufacturing site in North Carolina and seeks a Quality Manager to shape the quality strategy from the ground up. The role partners with Manufacturing Engineering, operations, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to ensure robust processes and controls before production.

The position focuses on proactive quality planning, prevention, and scalable quality governance, with opportunities to advance into broader leadership as the site grows.

Qualifications

• Experience with manufacturing greenfield or plant launch projects is preferred.
• Experience in automotive or highly automated manufacturing processes is desirable.
• Experience with new product introduction, machinery design, and equipment installation/commissioning.
• Experience conducting facility reviews, readiness reviews, and quality planning during development.

Responsibilities

• Design quality into manufacturing processes and equipment from the start, establishing a proactive quality strategy for the new Sanford site.
• Define quality requirements for automated processes, machinery, tooling, equipment, and production systems with ME.
• Lead APQP and PPAP activities through design, installation, validation, and production launch.
• Develop and maintain DFMEAs, PFMEAs, control plans, process flows, and inspection strategies.

Skills

Manufacturing readiness

Quality management

APQP/PPAP

DFMEAs/PFMEAs

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Job description

Career Area

Manufacturing

Job Description

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Caterpillar is developing a new advanced manufacturing campus in Sanford, North Carolina, to expand production capacity for compact track loaders and telehandlers. The modern, technology-enabled operation is expected to incorporate automation, robotics, digital production systems and integrated logistics capabilities to enhance safety, quality and operational performance. Employees will help build the products our customers rely on while developing skills in advanced manufacturing and supporting the continued growth of Caterpillar’s Cat Compact℠ business.

Job Summary

The Quality Manager will help build quality into the design, equipment, processes, and systems of our new Sanford Advanced Manufacturing site. This is a unique opportunity to shape the quality strategy for a highly automated manufacturing environment from the ground up, emphasizing proactive quality planning and defect prevention. You will partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering (ME), operations, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to design robust manufacturing processes and evaluate the quality controls of new equipment and processes before production launch. You will develop and validate control plans, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), measurement systems, and process controls to ensure equipment and processes consistently produce to the required level of quality.

What You Will Do

• Design quality into manufacturing processes and equipment from the start, establishing a proactive, prevention-focused quality strategy for the new Sanford Advanced Manufacturing site.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering (ME) to define quality requirements for highly automated processes, machinery, tooling, equipment, and production systems.
• Lead APQP and PPAP activities for new manufacturing processes and equipment, ensuring quality requirements are addressed throughout design, installation, validation, and production launch.
• Develop and maintain DFMEAs, PFMEAs, control plans, process flows, quality plans, and inspection strategies that translate identified risks into effective prevention and detection controls.
• Participate in equipment, process, construction, and design reviews, identifying quality and manufacturability risks before machinery and production systems are finalized or commissioned.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes and equipment to ensure they are capable of consistently producing the required level of quality, using process capability, measurement systems, validation data, SPC, and other quality methodologies.
• Advance quality-by-design and automated quality controls, including error proofing, in-process verification, automated inspection, process monitoring, and closed-loop controls rather than relying primarily on end-of-line quality gates.
• Drive manufacturing readiness, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions to reduce variation, defects, scrap, rework, and production risk.
• Establish scalable quality processes, standards, metrics, and governance for the new site while initially operating as a hands‑on individual contributor with the opportunity to grow into broader quality leadership responsibilities as the Sanford operation expands.

What You Will Have

Planning and Organizing: Knowledge of the process of planning and arranging tasks and resources; ability to plan and organize both time and resources to get things completed while structuring and maintaining work in a systematic and highly methodical way.
Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
Quality Management System (QMS): Knowledge of Quality Management System's (QMS) functions, features, and capabilities; ability to design, implement, test, and maintain Quality Management Systems to consistently meet customer requirements and regulatory compliances.
Relationship Management: Knowledge of relationship management techniques; ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
Strategic Thinking: Knowledge of the importance of "big picture" thinking and planning; ability to apply organizational acumen and competitiveness to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for the organization.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Previous manufacturing greenfield, plant launch, facility start-up, or production ramp-up experience
• Experience in automotive or highly automated manufacturing processes
• Experience with new product introduction, machinery/process design and/or manufacturing equipment installation and commissioning
• Experience in construction, equipment design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, and quality planning during facility or production‑line development
• Experience establishing or maturing a manufacturing Quality Management System.
• Experience leading manufacturing quality, quality assurance, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to build and develop quality teams in a plant/manufacturing environment.
• Strong cross‑functional partnership with manufacturing, operations, engineering, suppliers, and customers.

What You Will Get

This is more than an opportunity to manage quality. It’s an opportunity to help build it from the ground up.

• A highly visible role helping launch a new advanced manufacturing operation in Sanford, NC
• The opportunity to shape the site's quality culture, systems, processes, and operating discipline
• Ownership of meaningful quality outcomes, from QMS effectiveness and audits to corrective action and continuous improvement
• Broad partnership across manufacturing, engineering, operations, and other functions
• The opportunity to establish practices that can have a lasting impact on the site's performance and customer experience

Additional Info

• Location: Sanford, North Carolina
• Work Arrangement: Onsite, five days per week. Locations may flex between temporary offices while transitioning to new facility.
• Travel: High percentage of travel (50‑75%) may be required at certain times during construction planning, supplier reviews, equipment installation, commissioning, startup and production ramp‑up.
• Schedule: This will be a demanding and rewarding role. Selected candidate should have schedule flexibility to meet project requirements.
• Relocation: US domestic relocation is available
• Visa Sponsorship: Not available

Summary Pay Range

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part‑time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week. Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates

November 9, 2026 - November 22, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.