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.