Manager, Quality Assurance TCR

Employment Type: Regular Full-Time

Shift: 1st Shift

Work Status: On-site

Position Summary

The Manager, Quality Assurance TCR oversees quality assurance and operational excellence initiatives at the Taco Cranston (TCR) facility, aligning them with organizational goals and business objectives. They develop, implement and manage a comprehensive quality assurance/control program, ensuring continuous production that meets or exceeds established standards and customer specifications. The Manager is a strategic leader that drives continuous improvement and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs). They play a critical role in identifying and solving complex quality challenges, driving sustainable improvements, and fostering a problem-solving culture. Collaboration with TCR Operations, Engineering, Planning and Purchasing is key to addressing quality complaints through root cause analysis and effective corrective actions.

This role maintains a dotted-line reporting relationship with the Director of Global Quality Systems, ensuring alignment with company-wide quality strategies and policy.

Measures of success:

• Reduction in Total Cost of Poor Quality
• Improved Corrective Action Requests (CAR) / Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR) closure rates
• Lower Non-Conforming Material and Scrap Costs
• Decreased Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) Return Rate and Costs
• Reduced Warranty Costs
• Maintained ISO Certification with Zero Major Findings
• Faster Customer Complaint Resolution Times
• Execution of Annual Continuous Improvement Projects

Responsibilities

Quality Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement quality systems to achieve organizational objectives and continuous improvement.
• Investigate quality issues, recommend solutions, and drive corrective actions.
• Introduce Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Six Sigma tools to drive process improvements and root cause analysis.
• Manage internal audits of quality systems, manufacturing processes, and ERP procedures, ensuring continuous improvement initiatives.

Customer and Supplier Quality

• Monitor and report customer complaint trends across multiple sources, including Technical Service calls.
• Address product complaints, resolve customer issues, and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Act as a liaison with customers and suppliers to maintain quality standards and address quality-related concerns.
• Report on supplier management program results and participate in vendor selection processes.

Regulatory and Compliance

• Chair and coordinate regulatory audit activities and ensure compliance with standards.
• Serve as a liaison with third-party inspection agencies and manage annual audits and certifications.
• Maintain ISO certification and manage the Non-Conformance Reporting and Return Goods systems.

Reporting and Communication

• Prepare and present technical reports on quality cases to senior management and customers.
• Report on quality-related KPIs, including cost of poor quality, customer complaint resolution, and audit results.
• Communicate audit findings and continuous improvement progress to stakeholders.
• Oversee the TCR Quality Assurance budget and report on cost of poor quality and financial impacts.
• Conduct Management Review activities and lead employee engagement in quality initiatives.

People Management

• Manage daily activities of staff, fostering efficiencies and driving objectives.
• Evaluates team members to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement; collaborate on development actions and ensure resources necessary to complete actions
• Cascades relevant and appropriate information about the company and department effectively and in a timely manner
• Coaches and mentors for skill and knowledge development
• Executes necessary responsibilities of team during absences or alternate engagement
• Ensures team adheres to company policies, practices, and department standards
• Assigns actions and ensure completion
• Reviews work quality and provides feedback and guidance to team

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Management; Master's degree in Business Administration preferred
• 7 years of management or leadership experience within quality assurance
• 15 years of quality experience in a manufacturing environment
• Certified Quality Manager/Organizational Excellence (CQM/OE)
• Six Sigma Black Belt
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project) and Statistical Software tools such as Minitab or Sigmazone
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 standards
• Problem solving skills to drive to root cause and corrective actions that are sustainable
• Proven expertise in leading continuous improvement initiatives and driving sustainable corrective actions.
• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Travel may be required to other facilities, conferences, customer / rep sites, etc.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in an office environment using computers and technology. Verbal and auditory capability are required. Occasional exposure in production plant where large equipment and noise are prevalent. Safety gear is required in these areas.

This position reports into the site every workday.

Management

This position has approximately 10 direct reports. Roles may include:

• Supervisor, Quality Assurance
• Supplier Quality Engineer
• Sr Quality Assurance Technician
• Quality Assurance Engineer
• Product Quality Engineer