Sr. Quality Manager

Sr. Quality Manager

Smithfield, NC

Description

Lead the deployment of the Quality Strategy at the plant level, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. This role drives a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement while ensuring consistent production of high-performing products.

Acts as the primary quality leader interfacing with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to proactively prevent issues and enhance operational performance.

Requirements

1. Quality Leadership & Strategy

Champion a culture of quality, safety, and accountability across the organization

Deploy and sustain the AAF Quality Management System (QMS) at the operational level

Integrate quality objectives into short- and long-term business strategy

Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team

2. Customer & Supplier Quality

Lead customer-facing quality activities, including complaints, audits, and corrective actions

Drive proactive issue prevention and customer satisfaction improvement

Partner with Purchasing and Corporate function to manage Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA)

Monitor and communicate supplier performance and improvement actions

3. Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

Lead root cause analysis (RCA), CAPA, and preventive systems

Support new product/process launches with Change Management Process

Identify and execute cost reduction and process optimization initiatives

4. Quality Systems and Compliance

Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of QMS documentation and processes

Oversee internal/external audits and regulatory compliance (e.g., ISO9000, industry standards)

Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements

Manage Management Review processes and follow-up actions

5. Data Metrics & Performance Management

Define and track key quality KPIs (scrap, yield, complaints, etc.)

Analyze trends and drive data-driven decision-making

Establish quality and reliability standards using statistical methods

6. Team Leadership and Development

Build and lead a high-performing Quality organization

Provide coaching, training, and career development

Manage departmental budget and resource planning

7. Safety and Compliance

Ensure adherence to company safety programs and OSHA regulations

Promote safe behaviors within both office and production environments

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

5+ years in manufacturing, quality, or engineering leadership roles.

Experience in customer-facing quality and supplier quality management

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS (PREFERRED):

ISO9000:2015 Lead Auditor

Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

ASQ Certifications (CQM, CQE, CQA)

KEY SKILLS:

Strong leadership and cross-functional influence

Advanced problem-solving and statistical analysis

Excellent communication (executive and at all levels)

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality tools

Ability to translate data into actionable business insights

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Combination of office and manufacturing floor exposure

Regular interaction with production environments (dust, noise, PPE required)

Travel: ~10% (customers and suppliers)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

AAF International is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, uniform servicemember status, age, disability or any other legally recognized protected personal characteristics.