Senior Quality Manager (Manufacturing)

Graham Personnel Services; Danville (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401(k) matching

PTO

Health insurance

Life Insurance

Vehicle allowance

Job summary

Graham Personnel Services' client is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead a hands-on quality organization within a manufacturing environment in Danville, VA. The role focuses on building robust quality systems, establishing metrics, and driving continuous improvement across production, engineering, and maintenance.

The ideal candidate will develop local and global quality processes, manage audits, and lead a team to deliver measurable quality improvements while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Quality, or a related field.
• 5+ years of Quality experience in manufacturing.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience with people, processes, and performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Department activities and achieve objectives.
• Establish KPIs, processes, and improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Manage internal and coordinate external audits (ISO 9001/19011).
• Lead root-cause analysis and CAPA programs to drive improvement.
• Coach and develop Quality team members and foster accountability.

Skills

Quality leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/related field

5+ years Quality experience (manufacturing)

Tools

ISO 9001

Auditing

SAP

MS Office

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Quality Manager. This is an opportunity for a hands-on quality leader to build and optimize quality systems, establish processes, develop a high-performing team, and drive continuous improvement from the ground up.

The Quality Manager will lead the Quality function while partnering closely with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to ensure products consistently meet company, regulatory, and customer requirements. This position will have significant influence on how quality processes, KPIs, reporting systems, and improvement initiatives are established and sustained at the facility.

If you are an experienced Quality professional who enjoys building systems, solving problems, developing people, and driving measurable improvements in a manufacturing environment, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What you'll Do

Quality Leadership & Strategy

• Lead, plan, organize, and oversee all activities within the Quality Department.
• Establish and execute quality objectives, KPIs, processes, and improvement initiatives aligned with company and global standards.
• Develop local quality processes and reporting systems to track performance and communicate results at both local and global levels.
• Identify opportunities to improve product quality, manufacturing processes, efficiency, and overall quality performance.
• Establish priorities and effectively allocate Quality resources, including personnel, equipment, and budget.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the site's Quality Management System.
• Manage internal QMS audits in accordance with ISO 9001/19011 requirements and company standards.
• Coordinate external audits and ensure the organization is fully prepared for successful outcomes.
• Lead Management Review activities and ensure appropriate follow-up on findings and action items.
• Maintain accurate and effective quality documentation, procedures, standards, and records.
• Ensure compliance with applicable technical, regulatory, and company quality requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Lead quality improvement initiatives using root cause analysis, structured problem solving, statistical process control, and team-based improvement methodologies.
• Analyze quality KPIs, identify trends and deviations, determine root causes, and develop effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of improvement programs and ensure sustainable results.
• Partner with Production and Maintenance leadership to identify opportunities to improve manufacturing performance and eliminate recurring quality issues.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Oversee product quality control activities to ensure compliance with established requirements and regulations.
• Manage quality acceptance activities for new products, materials, equipment, and modified production units.
• Ensure appropriate technical standards and specifications are established for manufactured products, raw materials, laboratory equipment, and related processes.
• Oversee the condition, calibration, and operation of quality measurement equipment.
• Plan and support CAPEX initiatives related to laboratory and quality equipment.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Quality team members to achieve department and company objectives.
• Provide employees with the training, resources, information, and development opportunities needed to succeed.
• Establish a culture of accountability, collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Partner effectively with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to drive plant-wide quality performance.
• Evaluate employee performance and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.

Health & Safety Leadership

• Promote a strong culture of health and safety throughout the Quality organization.
• Ensure employees understand applicable health and safety hazards, procedures, training requirements, and controls.
• Ensure compliance with legal and JTI health and safety requirements.
• Lead by example and actively contribute to continuous improvement in safety performance.

What we're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Quality, or a related field; equivalent technical education and experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of Quality experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience with responsibility for people, processes, and performance.

Strong knowledge of:

• Quality Management Systems
• ISO 9001
• Problem Solving
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Internal & External Auditing
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements.
• Experience developing and monitoring Quality KPIs and performance metrics.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with SAP preferred.
• Experience with production planning, budgeting, and/or CAPEX planning preferred.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Annual performance-based bonus
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Personal and professional development programs
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage for employees and eligible family members
• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with company matching
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Family Leave – up to 20 weeks
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Education & Tuition Assistance
• Volunteering opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program, including counseling services for employees and family members