Senior Manager, Product & Process Quality (Automotive)

What if your next role empowered an entire plant to think like a customer?

We’re seeking a Senior Manager to champion product and process quality—from incoming materials to shipped product—so customer expectations are met the first time, every time. You’ll be our change agent for a proactive quality culture.

Who you’ll lead and where you sit

• Department: Quality
• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
• Team led: Quality Leads, Engineers, Technicians, Layout and Floor Inspectors

How you’ll make it happen

1. Implement and maintain ISO/IATF 16949-aligned Quality Management Systems.
2. Engineer quality into manufacturing processes to drive zero-defect outcomes.
3. Lead root cause analysis with decisive corrective and preventive actions.
4. Establish control and inspection procedures to meet customer/regulatory criteria.
5. Advance continuous improvement to improve quality, efficiency, and cost.
6. Partner with Production, Engineering, and Supply Chain to solve problems early.
7. Conduct internal and external audits and maintain audit readiness.
8. Provide technical support for plant quality issues.
9. Prepare customer reports, host visits, and resolve quality concerns promptly.
10. Collaborate with Account Managers on PPAP documentation and approvals.
11. Create Quality Results Inspection sheets and Picture Process Maps.
12. Manage MRAs to closure and maintain customer rework authorization records.
13. Keep complete quality records and deliver detailed reports.
14. Assess customer-supplied product and support quality team members.
15. Serve as the customer’s voice on quality matters.
16. Track automotive industry trends, regulatory updates, and tech advancements.

What makes you successful here

• Bachelor’s in Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years in manufacturing quality management with team leadership.
• Fluency in manufacturing processes, tooling, and quality control methods.
• Automotive exposure with IATF 16949 knowledge is a strong advantage.
• Analytical mindset—able to mine data, identify trends, and implement solutions.
• Clear communicator and motivator across executive and shop-floor audiences.

Proficiency checklist

• 5 Why (Root Cause Analysis Method)
• Quality Control Experience
• Tolerance Analysis
• Quality Control Data Analysis
• PPAP Process Experience

Machines & technologies

• Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) (Zeiss)
• Quality Control Software

FLSA

Classification:

Exempt

EEO

*Empire is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.