Quality Assurance Manager

Kaiser Aluminum is known around the world for its superior quality. Our secret is what we put into it—innovative thinking, industry-leading reliability, and a world-class commitment to customer service. In short, the same qualities we look for in our people. We are looking for a Quality Manager to join Kaiser Aluminum Operations in Spokane Washington

The primary focus of the Quality Manager will be on continuously enhancing quality control and assurance by leveraging new technologies, products, and processes. The role will drive a proactive quality culture, ensuring the company remains a leader in aerospace product manufacturing. Key responsibilities will include collaborating with cross-functional teams, industry partners, and certification bodies to establish and implement high standards, improve processes, and develop best-in-class products that expand our market portfolio and support business growth.

This position requires the ability to perform and multi-task in an ever-changing environment.

What’s in it for you

To support our teams and their families beyond the workplace, we provide an outstanding benefits package effective day one of employment

• Salary range $160,000 to $180,000 base
• High deductible medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, including spouse and children (modest payroll deductions)
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation (2-4 weeks depending on experience)
• Supplemental leave (used in conjunction with Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave)
• 401K with matching company funds
• Quarterly bonus structure
• Tuition reimbursement

Primary role of the position:

• The position reports to the VP of Advanced Engineering & Innovation.
• The role is also part of the Manufacturing Leadership Team.
• The primary responsibility is to lead the Quality and Product Engineering teams at the Trentwood Rolling Mill.
• The position has oversight in two key areas:
• Quality Assurance
• Product Engineering
• The team consists of approximately 8 members, with 2 direct reports.
• This role attends monthly business review meetings and leads quality report outs.
• The role includes duties as the plant Product Liability Coordinator.

What you will work on:

• Lead the Quality & PE Team at the Trentwood Facility.
• Participate as a member of the Operations Leadership Team.
• Develop, approve, and manage SMART plans that define project goals.
• Prioritize projects based on the Kaiser Strategy Deployment methodology, ensuring proper tracking and documentation.
• Maintain certifications for the quality system:
• ISO 9001
• AS 9100
• Nadcap (heat treat, material testing, and NDT).
• Assist Environmental Group with maintaining ISO 14001 certification.
• Support Safety in pursuit of ISO 45001 certification (align with SMS vs. QMS).
• Ensure compliance with corporate standards for product liability and export control.
• Act as the management representative responsible for oversight of the quality management system.
• Ensure compliance with customer quality system requirements.
• Coordinate and facilitate audits for quality systems and products, including customer visits.
• Coordinate and facilitate Nadcap special process audits.
• Interface with customers and regulatory agencies to provide quality system and product information:
• Change notifications
• SQIP program (Airbus)
• PRA/SQIS (Boeing)
• Customer surveys, complaints, CPA’s, and compliance inquiries.
• Manage vital few/near-miss activities, internal processes, and facilitate annual product liability and corporate audits.
• Oversee the Quality Systems Management Review process (SDx, A-3, Inputs/Outputs).
• Co-manage and maintain quality system procedures, including metallurgical practices, calibration procedures, and SOPs/GOPs.
• Manage internal audit process, including review and approval of all audits.
• Assist with external specification revision control (Compass, IHS).
• Assist in determining root causes and corrective actions.
• Review and approve corrective and preventive actions.
• Review and approve Quality Plans (Change management).
• Review and approve calibration reports.
• Perform lead auditor duties for internal audits.
• Provide quality and technical support to production and maintenance teams.
• Conduct floor audits (critical-to-quality and VF awareness).
• Monitor industry specifications to ensure compliance with critical industry standards.
• Monitor plant quality requirements and ensure compliance.
• Assist with supplier approval process oversight.
• Act as backup for the quality engineer, lab process engineer, and product engineer as needed.
• Manage the risk assessment/mitigation process, facilitating department quarterly risk reviews.
• Must be a USA person (identified as US Citizen, US Permanent Resident (Green Card), any individual who is granted status as a “protected person” under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

What you will bring to the position:

• Aluminum Industry preferred.
• Advanced degree required.
• Extensive experience (15+ years) in advanced quality systems, preferably within the aerospace industry or a related field
• At least 15 years of experience with personal and team successful achievements in a manufacturing environment with a strong background in quality control, assurance quality and customer support.
• Proven track record of quality improvements, leading successful certification / qualification by OEMs or certification societies,
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities,
• Products that have demanding end customer specifications preferred.
• Products with multiple step processes requiring superior process control preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and capability to articulate a vision for an advanced quality system and build support to develop the cross functional tasks needed to achieve the goal using effective influence.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a Quality Road Maps
• Proven management ability at the strategic leadership level with interfaces to multiple business functions but with the ability to focus, as needed, to identify and resolve specific issues.
• Motivating and Maintaining top tier engineering talent in a high performing team while keeping it aligned with the company’s Strategic Initiatives.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.

Preferred Skills:

• Confident, proactive approach to managing difficult situations, conflicting requirements and schedules, and energetic people.
• Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively within a matrix environment.
• Must be able to make sound decisions based on incomplete information, while under pressure, and while maintaining project focus.
• Ability to mentor junior engineering staff when required
• Persuasive with details and facts
• Delegate responsibilities effectively
• High comfort level working in a diverse environment

No third-party candidate submissions are being accepted at this time for this opening.

About Kaiser Aluminum: Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing a diverse and inclusive culture. We are strongly committed to expanding inclusion, equity, and diversity – how we hire, develop, and inspire our diverse team members that reflects and relates to the increasingly multicultural community.