Quality Assurance Manager

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

At Gentex Corporation, we foster an environment where innovative ideas and talented individuals can excel. With a legacy of over 130 years, Gentex stands as a global frontrunner in personal protection and situational awareness solutions tailored for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel in high-performance settings. Our diverse team of dedicated professionals worldwide engages in challenging and fulfilling projects, enhancing their skills and advancing their careers while positively impacting our customers' lives. Together, you and Gentex can forge a career path that is uniquely yours.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Management or Quality from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience related to aerospace manufacturing Quality Assurance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 10 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing quality assurance, including a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role. Certification as a green belt or higher is advantageous, along with 3 or more years of experience in a Six Sigma environment.

ROLE SUMMARY

The primary objective of this role is to oversee a Quality Assurance and Quality Control framework that interprets customer specifications (through drawings, specifications, and contractual obligations) and plans, executes, and assesses outputs to fulfill these specifications. Furthermore, this position ensures adherence to Quality System requirements in line with Gentex Corporation's management expectations and system certifications (AS-9100 and ISO 9001:2008) while developing metrics to gauge continuous improvements to the system.

Gentex provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical coverage, 401k, paid time off, and excellent work schedules, including a 9/80 work week.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• In-depth understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC) techniques and their effective application.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in Quality Assurance, demonstrating a successful track record in managing systems, personnel, and process improvement initiatives.
• Experience with aerospace quality management systems.
• Expertise in ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to formulate, document, and implement a QA management strategy aligned with overall business objectives.
• Strategic influencing capabilities to promote continuous improvements in QA processes across all organizational levels.
• Strong leadership qualities that inspire confidence and respect among team members while motivating them effectively.
• Diplomatic skills to withstand pressures and assertively address quality deficiencies or non-compliance with QA processes.
• Robust analytical and problem-solving abilities, including the capacity to understand and evaluate requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present reports to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration among all functional groups within the organization.
• Proficient in Quality Assurance disciplines, including:

o Statistical principles

o Supplier quality assurance processes

o Inspection techniques, physical testing, and measurement principles

o ISO 9001 and AS9100 standards and regulations

o GD&T principles and machining processes

• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective relationships with internal and external customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Capability to interpret customer quality requirements and product specifications, drawings, and schematics.
• Determination and documentation of incoming test and inspection plans, including sampling strategies.
• LEAN experience is a plus.
• Adept at building an effective quality team through expectation setting, performance assessment, and effective hiring and disciplinary techniques.
• Proficient in Minitab and Microsoft Office.

STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, implement, and maintain a Quality Assurance Management system across all business areas, defining, developing, and deploying quality assurance strategies that align with overall business KPIs.
• Develop and manage quality assurance metrics for performance enhancement across all teams.
• Implement ongoing quality improvement processes across all operational areas:
  • Develop and manage practices to enhance quality during hardware or production process development.
  • Establish or specify standards, methods, or procedures to assess product quality or readiness for release.
  • Ensure quality throughout all development phases, including requirements, design, and production.
• Evaluate and enhance QA standards, technologies, and methodologies.
• Identify deviations from standards and recommend modifications to ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with the team and the Director of Corporate Quality to develop and establish best practices and track Quality metrics to support enterprise objectives.

OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure QA standards are met and report on compliance (including performance against QA Management plan, business KPIs, and customer feedback).
• Ensure inspection methods are well-documented for reusability and compliance with standards.
• Ensure the viability, functionality, and effectiveness of inspection tools and fixtures.
• Identify relevant quality-related training needs and deliver appropriate training.
• Provide guidelines based on requirements and oversee the review of Purchase Orders, Contracts, Sales Orders, Work Orders, and Drawing reviews.
• Lead and supervise others in specification reviews and implement plans to maintain compliance with the Quality Manual and applicable quality standards, directing continuous improvement efforts.
• Guide and supervise others in developing and implementing methods and procedures for handling non-conforming materials and devising cost and responsibility assessment methods.
• Oversee AS9100 maintenance activities, including audits, preventive and corrective actions, continuous improvement, and related tasks.
• Manage day-to-day operations to ensure effective, efficient, and safe performance of the Quality Department, including Quality Engineering, Quality Control, Test Lab, and Metrology, with continuous improvement efforts to enhance accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and execution.
• Evaluate employees and provide coaching to adjust performance, administering disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Conduct performance management and appraisals for the Quality Department.
• Participate in the Design Review Process, including design reviews and drawing assessments for inspection and testability, and engage in the Design Validation process.
• Implement a Supplier Quality Management Program in accordance with corporate guidelines.
• Complete other duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISION:

Oversees Quality Assurance & Quality Control Personnel.

COMPANY CULTURE:

At Gentex, we embrace diversity—we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, products, and community. Gentex Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability. Gentex is an E-Verify Participant. Pre-employment drug/alcohol/background screening is required.