Quality Area Manager

We are seeking an experienced Area Manager – Quality to lead all Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Quality Management functions within a heavy manufacturing facility. This individual will be responsible for ensuring products consistently meet customer specifications, industry standards, and internal quality requirements while driving continuous improvement throughout the operation.

This is a key leadership position that partners closely with operations, engineering, supply chain, sales, and executive leadership to support production, customer satisfaction, and long-term operational success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Quality Management activities for the facility.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure products consistently meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate Quality personnel while building a strong culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support quality inspections, surveillance activities, and product validation throughout the manufacturing process.
• Analyze quality trends, investigate customer complaints, product nonconformances, and quality-related issues while leading corrective and preventive actions.
• Establish quality objectives, performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce defects and operating costs.
• Manage supplier quality activities, including supplier qualification, audits, production capability assessments, and ongoing performance improvement.
• Coordinate and lead internal, customer, and third-party quality audits.
• Serve as the primary quality contact for customers, including technical discussions, plant visits, quality improvement initiatives, and issue resolution.
• Partner with Operations, Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Sales to improve manufacturing performance and product quality.
• Assist in developing quality specifications for new products, inspection equipment, and testing processes.
• Support budget planning while identifying opportunities to reduce costs associated with quality issues.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent industry experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of Quality Assurance leadership experience within an OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) manufacturing environment is required.
• Strong technical knowledge of OCTG manufacturing processes and tubular steel products.
• Proven ability to interpret customer specifications and translate technical requirements into manufacturing and inspection processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading Quality Assurance programs within a heavy manufacturing environment.
• Strong project management experience with the ability to lead cross-functional quality initiatives.

Technical Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of tubular manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of material testing, inspection methods, and quality assurance principles.
• Extensive experience with nondestructive testing (NDT) methods and inspection techniques.
• Knowledge of raw material specifications and quality requirements.
• Experience supporting product development and manufacturing quality planning.
• Strong working knowledge of API, ASTM, and ASME standards.
• Experience implementing quality improvement initiatives, advanced quality planning, and corrective/preventive action programs.
• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Experience conducting internal audits, supplier audits, and customer audits.
• Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Previous experience leading supplier quality programs and customer quality initiatives.
• Experience selecting inspection equipment and developing quality inspection strategies.
• Experience building and developing quality organizations within a manufacturing environment.

Professional Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development abilities.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational change.
• Strong planning, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent analytical, root cause analysis, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to explain complex technical information to customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work throughout an industrial manufacturing environment, including standing, walking, climbing stairs, and navigating production areas.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and participate in team lifts when required.
• Ability to work around manufacturing equipment while following all PPE and safety requirements.
• Comfortable working in varying environmental conditions, including heat, cold, and elevated noise levels.

Zobility is RGBSI's workforce management and staffing division. RGBSI is a multi-national corporation headquartered in Troy, MI with branches throughout the USA, Canada, Germany, and India.