Quality Manager

Requirements:

We are searching for a Quality Manager to lead plant quality compliance, product quality improvement and manufacturing process capability.

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and continuously improving all aspects of quality compliance and quality control at our manufacturing facility. This role ensures products meet internal standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations, while fostering a strong culture of quality across operations, engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing teams. This role drives process capability, first-pass yield, and customer satisfaction through robust quality systems, root cause analysis (RCA), and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA). The role partners closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain to prevent defects, reduce scrap/rework, and build a culture of quality and continuous improvement. This position leads activities to improve product and process quality and leads root cause and corrective action activities to resolve field and in-plant quality issues. In your role with Associated Materials, you will ensure our products maintain the highest level of quality satisfaction our customers expect.

Reporting solid-line to the VP of Quality and dotted-line to the Plant Manager, the Quality Manager serves as the site quality leader and a key member of the plant leadership team, balancing corporate quality strategy with day-to-day plant execution.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the site quality authority, translating enterprise quality strategy into effective, plant-level execution.
• Lead, coach, and develop the plant quality team, including QA, QC, laboratory, and inspection personnel.
• Partner with the Plant Manager and functional leaders to embed quality accountability across all departments.

Manufacturing Quality & Process Control

• Ensure conformance to product specifications, drawings, and performance standards for residential windows (e.g., structural integrity, energy efficiency, aesthetics, and durability).
• Establish and maintain robust process controls, inspections, and testing methodologies across fabrication, assembly, and finishing operations.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for internal defects, customer complaints, and audit findings.

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure compliance with applicable standards, certifications, and codes (e.g., ISO 9001, AAMA, ASTM, NFRC, building codes, and customer-specific requirements).
• Manage internal and external audits, including customer audits and third-party certifications.
• Maintain quality documentation, procedures, and records in alignment with corporate and regulatory requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Cost of Quality

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield, scrap reduction, rework, and warranty cost reduction.
• Use data-driven methodologies (SPC, Pareto, FMEA, 8D, Six Sigma tools) to improve product and process performance.
• Track, analyze, and report Cost of Quality (COQ) metrics and improvement progress.

Supplier & Incoming Quality

• Partner with Supply Chain and Procurement to manage supplier quality performance, incoming inspection, and supplier corrective actions.
• Support supplier audits and qualification activities as required.

Customer Experience

• Act as the primary site contact for quality-related customer escalations.
• Ensure timely resolution of product quality issues impacting customers, with clear communication and documented corrective actions.

Metrics, Reporting & Governance

• Establish and monitor KPIs such as first-pass yield, defect rates, audit scores, customer returns, and warranty trends.
• Regularly communicate quality performance to plant leadership and corporate quality leadership.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or master's in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical field required.
• 7–12 years of progressive quality experience in a manufacturing environment; quality/process management with a minimum of 5 years' experience in which the candidate had responsibility for the development and implementation of product and/or process quality.
• Prior experience leading a quality organization in a mid-to-large manufacturing plant; Building materials or window/door manufacturing experience a plus

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of quality management systems (ISO/QS/TS) is required
• Strong experience with regulatory and industry standards relevant to residential windows or building products a plus.
• Demonstrated proficiency in problem-solving methodologies and statistical tools.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Proven ability to influence across functions and operate effectively in a matrixed reporting environment.
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing managers and technical professionals.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage frontline employees, plant leadership, and executive stakeholders.

Key Success Factors

• Strong presence on the plant floor with a hands-on, practical approach to quality.
• Ability to balance compliance rigor with operational efficiency.
• Data-driven mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Trusted advisor to both plant and corporate leadership.