Quality and Safety Manager

Job Title: Quality and Safety Manager

Classification: Full-time, Salaried Exempt
Location: Kymera - Thermal Spray Solutions (TSS), Chesapeake, VA
Reports To: General Manager

Location: Onsite - Chesapeake, VA Office, with 25% Travel to US & Intl. work sites.

Job Overview
The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and maintaining the corporate Quality Management System (QMS) and overseeing all quality-related activities across shipboard and machine shop operations. The Quality Manager will coordinate, schedule, and conduct audits, manage non-conformance issues, and oversee corrective actions. This role involves overseeing quality and safety management in local and remote work sites, requiring domestic and international travel, a valid driver’s license, U.S. citizenship or residency (ITAR compliance), and the physical ability to access Navy ship work areas.

Responsibilities

Quality Management System:

• Lead and maintain a Quality Management System that complies with ISO 9001 standards and ensures continued ISO certifications and other accreditations.
• Develop, maintain, and control quality system documentation, including records for products, customer complaints, audits, corrective actions, and preventive actions.
• Coordinate, schedule, and conduct internal audits, ensuring that findings are addressed, and non-conformance issues are resolved promptly.
• Oversee the administration and closure of corrective actions, customer complaints, and preventive measures, ensuring effective resolutions.
• Manage the calibration program for measurement tools.
• Investigate quality issues, analyze problems, and implement recommendations for improvement.
• Prepare and lead the company through third-party and customer-specific audits.
• Continuously review core business processes to identify best practices and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor and report on internal and external quality performance.

Safety Management and Training:

• Oversee and manage safety programs ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal safety regulations.
• Manage customer-required reporting systems for safety and environmental compliance.
• Develop and maintain environmental and safety programs in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Provide administrative support to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) programs.
• Coordinate employee third-party safety training and maintain related records.
• Prepare and maintain monthly HSE reports.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Lead and manage a team of 7 direct reports, providing guidance, support, and development to ensure team success and alignment with organizational goals.
• Influence and mentor employees at all levels, from shop floor staff to executives, fostering a culture of quality and safety.
• Facilitate continuous improvement initiatives and drive cultural change to embrace lean processes.
• Lead teams in program implementation, root cause analysis, and corrective action follow-up.
• Flexibility and Adaptability to Change: Perform other related duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Skills and Abilities

Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of ISO 9001 standards and procedures, including implementation, maintenance, and auditing.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality management, system implementation, and formal problem-solving approaches in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading quality and safety audits, including full accountability for designing and implementing effective programs, mentoring teams to enhance performance, and achieving measurable, impactful results.
• Proven supervisory experience with strong leadership, team management, and strategic influencing skills, including successfully leading cross-functional teams and driving cultural change.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to perform mathematical computations and statistical analysis.
• Competency with MS Office suite of products and familiarity with statistical tools.
• Ability to access government-controlled facilities, obtain a DBIDS credential, secure necessary security clearances, US Passport, Driver’s License, and pass required pre-employment screenings, including a criminal background check.
• Must be a "US Person" per International Traffic in Arms Regulations contractual requirements: A US person who is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual.
• Possess a strong understanding of business processes and systems thinking, combined with a continuous improvement mindset, proactive approach to resolving employee and customer issues, ethical leadership, and a results-oriented focus.
• Ability to thrive in the dynamic environment of a small company, where roles are flexible and often blend responsibilities across multiple positions is required. This requires a high degree of adaptability, the ability to manage rapid change, and a willingness to step into different roles as needed to support the company's growth and success.

Preferences:

• Post-secondary education in Engineering, Safety Management, or a related field preferred, or equivalent working experience, with cross-functional experience in a manufacturing or shipyard setting.
• AS9100 Experience.
• QP1/ QP6 Experience.

Physical and Travel Requirements:

• Ability to Travel (25%): Frequent travel is required, including international travel, to visit and oversee operations at various remote work sites.
• Physical Capabilities: The role demands the ability to navigate diverse and challenging environments on naval vessels during the various project phases. This includes climbing ladders and navigating stairs, reaching overhead, kneeling, crouching, and walking on uneven or slippery surfaces. Exposure to noise, vibration, and variable weather environments. It may also sometimes require accessing work areas at heights, in confined spaces and maneuvering through tight, restricted areas to assess progress and ensure safety standards.

This position must be able to adapt to these conditions to monitor and support the successful execution of on-site operations while maintaining a commitment to safety and operational efficiency. Accommodation for Disabilities: Kymera is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. When requested and feasible, reasonable accommodation will be made to help individuals with disabilities perform their essential job functions. Equal Opportunity Employment: Kymera is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected status. We believe that diverse perspectives are integral to the success of our organization and the projects we undertake.