Quality Control Manager - Automotive Plant

Quality Control Manager -- Automotive Plant

We are seeking a Quality Control Manager on a full-time basis with an international manufacturing firm in Huntsville, Alabama. In this role, you will oversee the Quality Control operations for all operational shifts, including maintaining the overall automotive plant quality system. This is a career opportunity for the right individual!

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the quality team within the assigned manufacturing area, ensuring successful execution of team responsibilities.

• Manage the group as a cohesive operational unit, working toward company objectives while adhering to all policies, manufacturing standards, and quality benchmarks covering safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, cost control, productivity, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale.

• Facilitate cooperation and teamwork between various team verticals.

• Must be open to travel up to 20% domestically.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supervise Assistant Managers, Group Leaders, Specialists, Team Leaders, and Lab Technicians.

• People management, positive team member relations, conflict resolution, and soft people skills are a critical component of this role.

• Coordinate team hiring and placement; monitor staffing levels, hours, overtime, job rotations, and absenteeism.

  • Ensure consistent compliance with company policies and take corrective action when necessary per the employee handbook.

  • Apply conflict resolution policies appropriately and escalate issues when required.

  • Manage performance evaluations and recommend corrective actions as needed.

  • Foster positive team relations based on trust, respect, fairness, consistency, two-way communication, teamwork, and harmony.

  • Motivate and guide the team to prioritize safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, cost reduction, and morale.

• Oversee all aspects of quality assurance.

• Maintain necessary certifications.

• Develop and manage documentation to satisfy customer, internal, and supplier quality requirements.

• Evaluate processes for continuous improvement and potential failure modes.

• Negotiate quality standards with customers.

• Assess processes for stability and capability.

• Ensure compliance with supplier and customer quality standards.

• Compile, report, and present quality metrics, including improvement plans and departmental KPIs.

• Apply company policies consistently across the department and enforce safety regulations.

• Responsible for overall team performance and conduct quality audits.

• Serve as primary contact for supplier, internal, and customer-related matters.

• Develop and maintain Supplier Quality Assurance Manual documents.

• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, production, management, and team members.

• Ensure full adherence to customer-specific quality requirements.

• Investigate in-process defects, determine root causes, and implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Systems Management, or a related field.

• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.

• At least four (4) years in a managerial capacity.

• Experience in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive JIT plant is highly preferred.

• Ability to work fixed or rotating shifts, including potential daily or weekend overtime.

• Capable of balancing multiple departmental priorities.

• Proven ability to implement plans ensuring safety, quality, 5S, cost control, and efficiency.

• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other software (Outlook, Minitab, GAGEtrak, etc.).

Additional Relevant Experience:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to perform managerial responsibilities.

• Knowledge of automotive quality systems and processes.

• Familiarity with inspection standards and check fixtures.

• Understanding of company products, trade terminology, quality control techniques, manufacturing processes, material controls, workflow, scheduling, kanban, machine operations, and company policies.

• Experienced with quality hand tools including Faro Arm, CMM, calipers, micrometers, steel rulers, depth gages, pin gages, check fixtures, and mylars.

• Knowledge of welding assembly processes and related QC checks (e.g., break weld and cut & etch quality confirmation).

• Experience collaborating with third-party sorting and rework firms.

• Expertise in Quality Management Systems development.

• Skilled in creating, training, implementing, and auditing departmental work instructions, work point sheets, and policies.

• Strong problem-solving and resolution capabilities.

• Able to work effectively with dynamic teams and demanding clients.

• Comfortable in fast-paced, multicultural environments.

• Proficient in interpreting instruction manuals, blueprints, and engineering specifications.

• Capable of planning, supervising, and performing functions for assigned responsibilities.

• Flexible and on-call to manage abnormal conditions as needed.

• Adaptable in a constantly changing production environment.

• Strong active listening, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent time management skills.

Benefits
In addition to a strong compensation package, the company provides a comprehensive benefits program that includes full medical and dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, company-paid life insurance, generous paid time off, paid holidays, and additional benefits designed to support employees and their families.