Quality Manager

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Reporting to the Plant Manager, this position gives direction to the site Quality function. This position provides leadership, mentoring, evaluation and development of Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality Engineering, Quality Systems, FAA Repair Station Quality Engineering and Inspection. The Site Quality Manager is responsible for maintaining the site's Quality Management System (QMS) and ensuring compliance with AS9100 requirements, customer-specific requirements, FAA, EASA, and UK CAA regulations, as well as Eaton policies and procedures. This role is responsible for driving regulatory compliance, audit readiness, process effectiveness, and continual improvement to ensure the highest standards of product quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. The Site Quality Manager will also provide means of escalation in support of customer satisfaction, corrective action and quality engineering initiatives such as Eaton Quality Management System, Eaton Zero Defect Process and Quality Best Practices.   

•    Develop, implement and monitor performance against short and long-range plans to achieve quality objectives.
•    Implement short and long-range plans relative to quality assurance.
•    Identify needs, and develop the quality engineering, supplier quality engineering, QMS and Inspection functions.
•    Develop or modify quality procedures, metrics and processes to achieve quality and on time delivery goals.
•    Provide direction to ensure compliance with all applicable customer requirements and government regulations involving product quality.
•    Select and develop competent quality engineers, supplier quality engineers, QMS engineers, RS quality engineers,  and in plant auditors to ensure quality goals are achieved.
•    Provide reports as required and drive corrective action and preventive action for timely and effective completion.
•    Assist as required in all technical quality functions as necessary.
•    Assure effective communication and reporting to customers.
•    Assure compliance with control phase of quality systems and initiatives such as internal auditing, statistical process control and testing.
•    Provide support and leadership to Quality Engineering in new product development as required
•    Support the development and utilization of quality feedback tools to maintain and implement "lessons learned".
•    Support the achievement of Cost of Quality, goals as identified by the Plant Manager and Regional Quality Manager.
•    Direct, maintain, and continuously improve the site's Quality Management System.
•    Ensure compliance with AS9100 requirements and applicable customer, regulatory, and company standards.
•    Ensure compliance with applicable FAA, EASA, UK CAA, customer and contractual requirements.
•    Provide direction and supervision to Quality Engineers, Supplier Quality Engineers, Repair Station Quality Engineers, QMS Engineer and Quality Inspectors.
•    Support production activities through resolution of quality issues and risk assessments.
•    Monitor manufacturing quality performance and product conformity.
•    Ensure effective disposition of nonconforming material through established Material Review Board (MRB) processes.
•    Support First Article Inspection (AS9102), customer delegated inspection programs, and special process compliance activities.
•    Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Quality Department personnel.
•    Establish performance objectives and development plans for direct reports.
•    Identify training needs and ensure personnel competency requirements are achieved and maintained.
•    Promote employee engagement, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
•    Establish and monitor quality key performance indicators (KPIs).
•    Analyze quality data and communicate trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
•    Present quality performance during management reviews, leadership meetings, customer reviews, and operational meetings.
•    Develop action plans to achieve site quality objectives.
•    Champion continuous improvement initiatives.
•    Drive waste reduction, process capability improvement, and defect prevention activities.
•    Facilitate cross-functional improvement projects focused on customer satisfaction, productivity, and quality performance.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

•    Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline. 
•    Minimum of 5 (five) years in quality supervision or management in aerospace, automotive or medical manufacturing environment. 

•    Experience managing AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.

•   Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship, now or in the future. 
•   This position requires use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

•  Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.”  

•  Must reside within 50 miles to Irvine, CA. relocation assistance is not available for this role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

•    Master’s Degree Preferred

•    ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).
•    Lead Auditor certification or equivalent audit experience. 
•    Strong working knowledge of aerospace manufacturing, assembly, testing, and inspection processes. 
•    Previous work experience of problem-solving methods such as: 8D, root cause analysis, and the associated statistical tools used to analyze problems, evaluate and complete improvement projects.
•    Working knowledge of process auditing techniques to ensure compliance to defined quality requirements.
•    Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Teams, Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables, macros) Digital Transformation (Power Bl )

POSITION CRITERIA:
•    Strong working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, FAA, EASA, UK CAA, and aerospace quality system requirements, with the ability to lead site-wide compliance initiatives. 
•    Demonstrated expertise in quality management systems, audit management, corrective actions, and continuous improvement programs. 
•    Proven leadership skills with the ability to develop, coach, and lead cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of quality, accountability, and operational excellence. 
•    Strong knowledge of aerospace manufacturing, assembly, testing, inspection, and repair station operations. 
•    Expert problem-solving skills utilizing 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, PFMEA, and risk-based thinking to drive effective corrective and preventive actions. 
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with customers, regulatory authorities, auditors, suppliers, and all levels of the organization. 
•    Strong analytical abilities with experience interpreting quality metrics, identifying trends, managing risks, and driving data-based decisions. 
•    Ability to lead and support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits, including corrective action implementation and verification of effectiveness. 
•    Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction through Lean, Six Sigma, and quality improvement methodologies. 
•    Lead Auditor certification preferred, along with a proven ability to manage evolving business priorities, regulatory requirements, and organizational change.