Quality Manager

JTEKT North America is a global leader in engineering and manufacturing automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools. As a proud member of the Toyota Group, we are committed to innovation, quality, and continuous improvement. Our Piedmont plant is currently undergoing a major expansion in 2025, bringing in over 120 new machines and automation systems, creating exciting opportunities for growth and advancement.

Location: Piedmont, SC

Level 108 - Quality Manager

Reports to Plant Manager

Summary/Purpose

Responsible for ensuring that all products meet customer specifications, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. This role involves developing and maintaining a robust quality management system, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and working closely with all other departments to enhance product quality and process efficiency.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily.

• Develop, implement and maintain the company's Quality Management System in compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 14001/45001 and other applicable industry standards.
• Oversee all quality control and quality assurance activities, including inspections, audits, and testing to ensure product compliance.
• Establish and monitor quality KPI's (key performance indicator), analyze trends, and drive corrective and preventative actions to enhance product quality.
• Lead and manage the internal audit process, supplier quality evaluations and customer audits.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to implement continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis.
• Manage and oversee the non-conformance process, including investigations, documentation, and corrective action implementation.
• Work with suppliers to improve incoming material quality and resolve supplier-related quality issues.
• Maintain and manage PPAP (production part approval process) documentation, FMEA (failure modes and effects analysis) and control plans.
• Oversee and manage the calibration of measurement tools and equipment to ensure accuracy in quality inspections.
• Train and educate associates with quality procedures, standards, and best practices to build a culture of quality throughout the organization.
• Handle customer complaints and warranty claims, ensuring timely resolution and customer satisfaction.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has management responsibilities for all quality associates in the quality department.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Extensive knowledge of IATF 16949, PPAP, APQP, and SPC (statistical process control)
• Experience and high degree of proficiency with 8D problem-solving, 5Why analysis, other root cause analysis methodologies, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA (Measurement System Analysis) and Gauge R&R
• Hands-on experience with inspection and testing equipment
• Budget preparation and control experience; excellent organizational skills that promote efficiency and leadership.
• Strong leadership, communication (written and verbal) and problem-solving skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and drive quality improvements at all levels of the organization
• Proficient in MS Office applications and quality management software is a plus

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in quality management, Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a quality management role, preferably in the automotive/manufacturing industry

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work shift as assigned and overtime is required, as needed.
• Will be required to do the following throughout the shift: standing, bending, pushing, pulling, reaching above and below shoulders, moving left to right repetitively, grasping, and fine finger dexterity.
• May be required to lift during shift up to 40 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required with this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The performance of this position requires exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as steel toed shoes, safety glasses with side shields.