Quality Manager

Role & responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the plants Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or customer-specific requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits; coordinate corrective actions and follow-up.

• Maintain documentation including PPAPs, FMEAs, Control Plans, and Work Instructions.

• Oversee in-process and final inspections for stamped components.

• Monitor process capability (Cp, Cpk) of stamping presses and tooling.

• Serve as the primary contact for customer quality concerns and escalations.

• Manage customer complaints, 8D reports, containment actions, and long-term corrective actions.
• Ensure timely communication and alignment with customer quality teams (especially in automotive stamping).

• Track and reduce PPM levels and warranty/field issues.

• Lead and mentor Quality Technicians, Inspectors, and Metrology/Measurement staff.

• Provide training on inspection methods, measurement tools, control plans, and safety procedures.

• Promote a strong quality culture on the production floor.

• Oversee use and calibration of gauges, micrometers, calipers, height gauges, CMMs, and optical measurement equipment.

• Ensure accurate dimensional reporting for first articles, PPAP submissions, and capability studies.

• Maintain a robust calibration program.

• Lead problem-solving efforts using 5 Why, Fishbone, DMAIC, PDCA, and other methodologies.

• Identify scrap trends, downtime related to defects, and process inefficiencies.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce defects, scrap rates, and rework.

• Support kaizen events and cross-functional improvement projects

• Oversee PPAP submissionsdimensional results, capability studies, MSA, control plans, PFMEA, and sample parts.

• Participate in design reviews, feasibility analysis, and APQP activities.

• Validate new dies, processes, and materials through structured trials.

• Ensure quality activities comply with safety standards.

• Maintain proper housekeeping in inspection and metrology areas.
• Support environmental and safety audits as required.

Preferred candidate profile

1. Education & Certifications

• Quality certifications preferred, such as:

• CQI Auditor

• IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification

2. Industry & Technical Experience

Experience

• 510+ years of quality experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership QA role.

• Strong background in metal stamping manufacturing, ideally with:

• Progressive dies

• High-tonnage presses
• Transfer and line dies
• High-volume production environments

Technical Competencies

• Stamping process knowledge:

• Understanding of die design basics, tooling wear, burr formation, spring-back, thinning, and material flow.

• Familiarity with metal substrates: HSLA, stainless, aluminum, coated steels.

• Metrology expertise:

• GD&T, CMM operation/interpretation, surface finish measurement.

• Quality systems:

• IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, MSA, SPC.

• Problem-solving methodologies:

• 8D, PDCA, root cause analysis, 5-Why, Ishikawa.

• Control plan and inspection strategy creation specifically for stamping operations.

• Ability to evaluate first-piece inspections, die changeovers, and process capability in stamping lines.

3. Leadership & Management Skills

• Proven ability to lead QA teams, inspectors, auditors, and quality engineers.

• Strong cross-functional collaboration with:

• Tooling/die maintenance

• Production supervisors
• Engineering & product design

• Supplier quality

• Experience managing customer quality concerns, returns, and audit findings.

• Ability to lead customer and third-party audits.
• Skilled at implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

4. Behavioural Competencies

• Detail-oriented with a high attention to accuracy.
• Strong analytical mindset—data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, especially during production downtime or customer escalations.
• Strong communication skills, written and verbal—critical for reporting, audit responses, and customer interaction.
• Hands-on leadership style; comfortable on the shop floor.

5. Tools & Software Experience

• Proficiency in quality database systems (e.g., SAP or similar).
• Skilled with CAD drawing interpretation.
• Familiarity with statistical tools (Mini tab or similar).

6. Key Performance Expectations

A strong QA Manager in stamping should be able to:

• Reduce scrap and rework through robust process controls.
• Improve Cpk/Ppk indices on critical stamping processes.
• Drive corrective actions that prevent recurrence, not just fix symptoms.
• Ensure successful PPAP submissions and customer approvals.
• Maintain compliance and pass IATF/ISO audits with minimal findings.
• Strengthen supplier quality performance for stamped or fabricated components.
• Build and develop a highly capable quality team.