Quality Manager

Are you ready to accelerate your career with a best-in-class organization that values innovation, dedication, and growth? Our employees at Grede are the key to our success and share our passion for teamwork, customer service, and operational excellence. If you want to join an industry-leading company that focuses on your professional growth and development, we'd love to hear from you! The Quality Manager is responsible for establishing and leading a high-performing quality organization that protects the customer, strengthens operational discipline, and drives measurable business results. This role owns the effectiveness of the Quality Management System and ensures compliance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements. The Quality Manager partners with Plant Leadership to reduce variation, eliminate waste, lower Cost of Quality, and prevent customer disruptions. This position serves as the voice of the customer within the foundry and ensures robust process controls, disciplined problem solving, and sustainable corrective actions across all departments. Success in this role is defined by improved internal performance, reduced customer returns, strong audit outcomes, and the development of a capable, accountable quality team.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Organizational Oversight Lead and supervise the Quality Ensure a competent, trained, and engaged quality team capable of meeting short- and long-term business objectives. Provide for staff development, technical growth, and succession planning. Quality Management System (QMS) Serve as Management Representative for IATF 16949 and applicable customer-specific requirements. Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the Quality Management System in alignment with IATF and internal quality system requirements. Author and maintain procedures, work instructions, and associated documentation. Initiate, direct, and oversee internal audits, layered audits, and process audits to ensure compliance with QMS and IATF requirements. Oversee document control, gauge control programs, supplier quality audits, and procedure audits. Customer Focus and Interface Act as the primary customer quality contact and advocate for all quality-related matters. Lead customer communications regarding audit results, rejected material, corrective actions, and technical issues. Accompany customers during on-site surveys and audits and ensure proper follow-up documentation and actions. Visit customer facilities as directed to support quality and launch activities. Operational Quality and Process Control Partner with the Plant Manager and Operations team to reduce internal scrap, customer returns, and total Cost of Quality. Maintain and improve statistical techniques and data-driven decision-making across operations.

Ensure effective implementation of:

APQP and new program launch activities PPAP submissions Control Plans, PFMEA/FMEA, and process flow documentation In-process inspections and layered audits Final inspection systems Dimensional controls and capability studies Review casting specifications and feasibility for new work to ensure customer requirements can be achieved. Maintain close coordination with operations and scheduling to proactively address potential quality concerns. Data, Reporting, and Information Systems Utilize advanced computer skills and extensive experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) to manage quality data, reporting, documentation, and customer communication. Prepare professional customer presentations, audit materials, and executive reports using data-driven analysis. Data, Continuous Improvement, and Cost of Quality Collect, analyze, and retain statistical quality data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities. Lead structured problem-solving activities (8D, root cause analysis, corrective actions). Maintain and report Cost of Quality metrics and key performance indicators. Complete reports, studies, and improvement projects to reduce variation, defects, and overall quality-related costs. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field preferred. Experience in foundry operations strongly preferred. Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive quality core tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA). Strong leadership, communication, and customer-facing skills. Proven experience in scrap reduction, cost of quality improvement, and structured problem solving. Advanced computer proficiency with extensive experience using Microsoft Office Suite for data analysis, reporting, and professional communication. As a Fair Chance employer, Grede is committed to considering individuals who are rebuilding after past challenges. We believe full-time employment can be a powerful step toward long-term success. Grede is proud to support transitioning service members and current military veterans with career opportunities that are a match for their skills gained while serving our country. Military veterans are encouraged to apply. To learn more about Grede, please visit our website at www.grede.com. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.