Quality Operations Manager

Expleo Group; Kinston (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation

Comprehensive Benefits

Paid Holidays and PTO

Career Development

Leadership Opportunity

Strong Team Culture

Job summary

Expleo Group USA in Kinston, NC seeks a Quality Operations Manager to lead aerospace manufacturing quality, ensuring product conformity, regulatory compliance, and execution of quality initiatives across the Airbus A350 program. You will guide a high-performing quality team across shifts to uphold safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

This role partners with production, engineering, and supplier quality to drive RCCA, AS9100 adherence, SPC analytics, and continuous improvement, enabling

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field.
• 7+ years aerospace manufacturing quality experience.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
• Experience with commercial aerospace programs.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, RCCA, non-conformance, AS9102, Lean, SPC, and risk management.
• Experience working with OEM customers and production leadership teams.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and customer relationship skills.
• Ability to work across multiple shifts and flexible schedules.
• Airbus experience and Airbus A350 program exposure preferred.
• ASQ CQE or related quality certifications.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily quality operations supporting manufacturing activities.
• Mentor and develop Quality Engineers, Inspectors, and quality staff.
• Serve as primary quality escalation point for operational, manufacturing, and customer concerns.
• Provide leadership across first and second shift operations for continuity.
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Skills

AS9100

RCCA

SPC

Lean Six Sigma

Shift leadership

OEM collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Tools

SAP / MES

Job description

EXPLEO GROUP USA is currently looking for a Quality Operations Manager to join our team for an exciting opportunity in Kinston, North Carolina. The Quality Operations Manager will play a critical leadership role in supporting aerospace manufacturing operations by ensuring product conformity, compliance with customer and regulatory requirements, and the successful execution of quality initiatives across the Airbus A350 program. This position offers the opportunity to lead a high-performing quality team within a dynamic aerospace manufacturing environment where safety, quality, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction are essential to success.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily quality operations supporting manufacturing activities
• Manage, mentor, and develop Quality Engineers, Quality Inspectors, and quality support personnel
• Serve as the primary quality escalation point for operational, manufacturing, and customer concerns
• Provide leadership coverage across both first and second shift operations to ensure operational continuity and employee support
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the facility

Quality Leadership & Operations Management

• Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry quality requirements
• Maintain adherence to AS9100 quality standards and aerospace industry best practices
• Conduct quality reviews, audits, and performance assessments to ensure program objectives are achieved
• Support customer and regulatory audits while ensuring timely closure of findings and corrective actions
• Ensure quality documentation, inspection records, and manufacturing processes meet established standards and requirements

Non-Conformance Management & Corrective Actions

• Lead containment actions, non-conformance management, and discrepancy resolution activities
• Drive Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) initiatives utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies
• Partner with production, engineering, manufacturing, and supplier quality teams to resolve quality concerns
• Monitor corrective and preventive actions to ensure timely and sustainable resolution of identified issues
• Support risk mitigation activities and promote proactive quality management practices

Continuous Improvement & Performance Excellence

• Monitor and improve key performance metrics related to Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People (SQCDP)
• Analyze quality trends and establish action plans to improve product quality and operational performance
• Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles
• Support Statistical Process Control (SPC) initiatives and data-driven decision-making processes
• Drive operational excellence through process optimization and performance improvement programs

Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with production, engineering, manufacturing, and supplier quality organizations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customer representatives and key stakeholders
• Support commercial aerospace manufacturing operations while ensuring customer expectations are met
• Communicate quality performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to leadership and customer teams
• Contribute to strategic quality planning and execution across the Airbus A350 program

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field
• Minimum 7+ years of aerospace manufacturing quality experience
• Minimum 3+ years of leadership or management experience
• Experience supporting commercial aerospace programs
• Strong understanding of AS9100 quality management systems, r oot cause corrective action (RCCA), n on-conformance management, f irst article inspection (AS9102), c ontinuous improvement methodologies, s tatistical process control (SPC) and r isk management
• Experience working directly with OEM customers and production leadership teams
• Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and decision‑making abilities
• Excellent communication, leadership, and customer relationship management skills
• Ability to support operations across multiple shifts and work a flexible schedule as required
• Airbus aircraft experience strongly preferred
• Experience supporting Airbus A350 aircraft programs
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or related quality certifications
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
• Experience managing multi‑shift quality teams
• Familiarity with aerospace composite structures and assembly operations
• Knowledge of SAP, MES, and aerospace quality documentation systems
• Experience working in highly regulated aerospace manufacturing environments
• Advanced continuous improvement and operational excellence experience
• Aerospace quality management training and leadership development certifications

What We Offer

• Competitive Compensation – $100,000 - $120,000 annually. Please note that the compensation range displayed is a generalized range for pipelining purposes and may not reflect the final range for a specific role. Final compensation will be determined based on the role, skill alignment, years of experience, and fair, market‑based rates by geography.
• Comprehensive Benefits for you and your dependents including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA with company contribution, company‑sponsored Life Insurance, Short and Long‑Term Disability, legal plans, hospital, accident, pet wellness plans, and 401(k) with company match
• Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off
• Career Development and Advancement – Expleo operates in 29 countries worldwide with a strong commitment to employee growth and professional development
• Leadership Opportunity – Lead high‑performing quality teams supporting a globally recognized aerospace manufacturing program
• Strong Team Culture – Collaborate with experienced aerospace professionals committed to quality, safety, innovation, and operational excellence

This position may require access to information subject to U.S. export‑control regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR). Employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain such access. Under these regulations, access may be limited to U.S. Persons, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and individuals granted refugee or asylee status.

Expleo is a trusted partner for end‑to‑end integrated engineering, quality services, and management consulting for digital transformation. We are a talent incubator. The time you spend at Expleo will turbo‑charge your career, allowing you to work on complex technical challenges, expand your skills, and take part in inspiring, multidisciplinary collaborations. Whether working on green aircraft, the factories of tomorrow, or cutting‑edge digital engineering solutions, you'll have the opportunity to become a bolder version of yourself. Let’s change the game together.

Expleo is an equal opportunity employer. We commit to non‑discrimination in all stages of the recruitment process, ensuring fair and unbiased hiring practices. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable laws.