Sr. Manager, Cloud and AI QA

Patterson Companies; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Patterson Companies in the United States is seeking a Senior Manager, IT Quality Assurance to lead the software quality assurance function, shape quality strategies, and drive testing and validation across product, cloud, integration, and AI capabilities. This role leads teams and influences enterprise quality practices to support future product, cloud, integration, and AI capabilities.

You will lead teams, collaborate with Engineering, Product, and other cross-functional partners to elevate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT, CS, software engineering, or related field.
• 10 years of software quality assurance, software testing, or quality engineering experience.
• 5 years of leadership or people management experience.
• Experience supporting QA for cloud-based applications and AI-enabled solutions.
• Experience with enterprise quality assurance programs within complex technology environments (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead software quality assurance, testing, and validation strategies ensuring software and technology solutions meet business requirements, quality standards, and end-user expectations.
• Develop and oversee quality strategies and risk-based testing approaches aligned with business objectives, ensuring new software solutions meet functional requirements, technical specifications, compliance standards, and integration expectations across the development lifecycle.
• Oversee user acceptance testing, alpha testing, beta testing, and defect resolution activities to ensure testing is completed and supports production readiness.
• Lead quality oversight for software releases by providing visibility into testing progress, quality metrics, risks, defects, and areas requiring remediation to support informed release decisions.
• Drive the adoption of test automation, modern quality engineering practices, and shared accountability for quality to improve testing effectiveness and efficiency.
• Define and implement appropriate quality assurance and validation approaches for new technologies and AI-enabled capabilities while balancing risk, regulatory, and business requirements.
• Ensure quality assurance processes and testing activities comply with organizational standards, applicable regulations, and recognized quality frameworks, including documentation and controls.
• Partner with Engineering, Product, and other cross-functional teams to identify risks, establish priorities, communicate progress, and improve product quality.
• Analyze application documentation, technical specifications, and vendor solutions to assess functionality and provide quality-focused recommendations; drive vendor contract and sourcing administration.
• Establish and integrate quality metrics to understand trends, measure effectiveness, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Comply with Company and department policies and standards; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Software QA

Testing methodologies

Quality governance

Test automation

Leadership

Stakeholder management

AI-enabled QA

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/Software Engineering or related field

Job description

Patterson isn't just a place to work, it's a partner that cares about your success.

One of the distinguishing marks of our company is the talented people who embrace the people-first, always advancing, and results-driven culture. Professional growth abounds in this motivating environment. We value the diverse talents and experiences our employees bring to Patterson and believe that they build a stronger and successful organization.

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, IT Quality Assurance is responsible for leading the software quality assurance function, establishing quality strategies, leading testing and validation efforts, developing team capabilities, and partnering across the organization to deliver reliable, high-quality software solutions. This role leads teams and influences enterprise quality practices helping evolve quality practices to support future product, cloud, integration, and AI capabilities.

Essential Functions

• Lead software quality assurance, testing, and validation strategies ensuring software and technology solutions meet business requirements, quality standards, and end-user expectations
• Develop and oversee quality strategies and risk-based testing approaches aligned with business objectives, ensuring new software solutions meet functional requirements, technical specifications, compliance standards, and integration expectations across the development lifecycle
• Oversee user acceptance testing, alpha testing, beta testing, and defect resolution activities to ensure testing is completed, documented, and successfully supports production readiness
• Lead quality oversight for software releases by providing visibility into testing progress, quality metrics, risks, defects, and areas requiring remediation to support informed release decisions
• Drive the adoption of test automation, modern quality engineering practices, and shared accountability for quality to improve testing effectiveness and efficiency
• Define and implement appropriate quality assurance and validation approaches for new technologies and AI-enabled capabilities while balancing risk, regulatory, and business requirements
• Ensure quality assurance processes and testing activities comply with organizational standards, applicable regulations, and recognized quality frameworks, including completion of applicable documentation and controls, regulatory approval of quality records, while driving continuous process improvement
• Partner with Engineering, Product, and other cross-functional teams to identify risks, establish priorities, communicate progress, and improve overall product quality
• Analyze application documentation, technical specifications, and vendor solutions to assess functionality, evaluate suitability, and provide quality-focused recommendations for software and system selection; drive effective vendor contract and sourcing administration
• Establish and integrate quality metrics to understand trends, measure effectiveness, and identify opportunities for improvement
• Comply with Company and department policies and standards; performs other duties as assigned

People Management

• Accountable for team staffing and managing direct reports to include development, performance management, goal setting, and other managerial duties
• Ensures direct reports are aware of and follow ethical business practices and Company's Code of Conduct to maintain a supportive and productive working environment.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 10 years of relevant experience in software quality assurance, software testing, or quality engineering, including experience within the area of expertise
• 5 years of leadership or people management experience
• Experience supporting quality assurance for cloud-based applications and AI-enabled solutions

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with enterprise quality assurance programs within complex technology environments

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of software quality assurance, testing methodologies, validation practices, quality governance, and the software development lifecycle to develop and implement strategies and standards that align with business objectives and drive continuous improvement
• Expertise in evaluating quality metrics, testing results, and risk indicators to assess release readiness, identify improvement opportunities, and inform decision-making
• Ability to lead quality modernization efforts, including shift-left testing, test automation, and shared ownership of quality across development teams
• Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence quality outcomes across cross-functional teams
• Ability to adapt quality approaches to emerging technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, while applying strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk-m