Quality Manager
Location: Sanford, NC
Industry: Automotive Manufacturing | Forging | High Volume Production
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Relocation Assistance: Yes
Work Authorization: US Citizens, Green Card holders, Permanent Residents, TN Visa accepted
Global automotive manufacturing organization specializing in forged and cast components supporting major OEM customers. This is a high volume, production driven environment with a strong focus on quality systems, customer compliance, and continuous improvement.
Position Summary
The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all quality systems and processes across casting, forging, finishing, and machining operations. This role provides direct leadership to quality engineering and technician teams while maintaining hands on visibility on the production floor.
The Quality Manager serves as the primary owner of quality performance, compliance, and customer requirements and acts as the senior quality leader for the site.
Scope of Responsibility
• Full ownership of site quality systems and processes
• Direct leadership of 2 Quality Engineers and 12 to 15 Quality Technicians
• Hands on leadership across casting, forging, finishing, and machining operations
• Primary quality interface for internal leadership and external customers
Key Responsibilities
• Lead and manage the site quality management system
• Own and maintain quality systems including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, and MSA
• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer specific requirements
• Oversee incoming, in process, and final inspection activities
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D, 5 Why, and Fishbone
• Support internal, customer, and third party audits
• Partner closely with production, maintenance, and engineering teams to resolve quality issues
• Train and develop production and maintenance teams on quality standards and procedures
• Maintain accurate quality documentation, metrics, and reporting
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives tied to scrap reduction, yield improvement, and customer satisfaction
Ideal Background
• Automotive production manufacturing experience required
• Experience supporting forged castings, machining, or finishing operations strongly preferred
• Prior customer facing quality experience supporting OEMs such as Ford, ZF, Audi, Toyota, or similar
• Proven ability to lead teams in a high volume manufacturing environment
Required Skills and Experience
• Strong working knowledge of automotive quality systems and tools
• Proven leadership experience managing quality teams
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and GD&T
• Strong customer facing communication and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced production environment