Location: Defiance, OH
Compensation: $90,000 – $110,000 Per Year
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Remote: No Remote
Experience: 1–5 years listed
Benefits: Full Benefits – details not specified
Relocation Assistance: No
Interview Expenses: No
Guarantee: 90-day replacement only; invoice must be paid within 10 business days
Total Openings: 1

Job Summary

A fast-paced, established, and stable manufacturer is seeking a proven Quality Manager with automotive supplier and IATF 16949 experience to join its management team and lead a team of quality professionals.
This hands-on leadership role is responsible for plant quality performance, customer responsiveness, quality systems, continuous improvement, and development of the quality organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership for the plant quality function by building, mentoring, and directing a high-performance team.
• Maintain and control quality management processes to ensure compliance with customer standards, serving as the primary company lead for IATF 16949 regulatory bodies and internal auditing programs.
• Urgently address customer complaints and quality issues using structured problem-solving tools such as 8D and 5-Why to implement robust corrective actions.
• Lead and/or support APQP activities, including the development and continuous improvement of PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, PPAPs, and audit plans.
• Deploy continuous training in Lean and statistical disciplines to empower staff in problem-solving while supporting site-wide continuous improvement projects.
• Establish KPI reporting, lead executive quality reviews, and collaborate with senior leadership to align quality strategies with broader business objectives.
• Perform other duties as directed by management.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma; post-secondary technical education is highly preferred.
• Experience overseeing quality in automotive supplier environments.
• Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, including certifications and audits.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Formal problem-solving skills.
• Customer communication related to quality issues and status.
• Ability to read blueprints.
• Excellent math skills.
• Microsoft Office proficiency, including strong Excel skills.
• Strong technical, communication, coaching, mentoring, detail-oriented, and process-oriented capabilities.
• Willingness to perform hands-on quality functions and quality presentations.
• Ability to spend up to 20% of the time on the manufacturing floor.

Preferred Skills

• IATF Certified Internal Auditor.
• Quality certification.
• Direct supervision of others.

Benefits & Why Work for This Organization

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available day one of employment.
• 401(k) plan with match.
• Annual bonus potential.
• HSA contribution.
• Paid holidays and PTO.
• Business-casual work environment.
• Excellent tenure among salaried staff.
• Established company with a diverse business mix.
• Opportunity to make an immediate, tangible impact on plant operations.

Work Environment

• No overnight travel.
• No weekend work.
• Manufacturing-floor presence up to 20% of the time.
• Hands-on interaction with quality processes and plant operations.