Description General Summary: DECKED is currently seeking an experienced Quality Assurance (QA) Manager. This position is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and enforcing quality standards across structural assembly, coating/finish, and final fitment operations. Must be highly skilled in building a culture of zero defects through rigorous process control, robust validation, and team leadership. Essential Job Functions: • Establishes and maintains line-specific Control Plans, inspection standards, and quality procedures; partners with engineering to provide shop-floor inputs into PFMEAs and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) • Validates specialized manufacturing processes including composite curing, bonding, welding, and paint/coating applications and leads 100% water-leak and seal integrity testing to ensure compliance with dimensional, functional, and aesthetic specifications • Drives rapid containment and 8D/5-Why root cause investigations for line rejections, scrap spikes, and customer fitment returns to improve First-Pass Yield (FPY) and eliminate waste • Conducts daily Layered Process Audits (LPAs), line-side product checks, and first-piece/last-piece inspections; tracks localized quality metrics (scrap, rework, defect Pareto charts) for plant leadership • Enforces QMS document compliance on the shop floor by ensuring current work instructions, quality alerts, and temporary process deviations are posted, trained on, and strictly followed • Coordinates with Quality, Core Operations to ensure all line specific inspection fixtures, gauges, and testing equipment are properly maintained, verified daily, and kept within scheduled calibration intervals • Recruits, trains, coaches, and manages the plant QA/QC inspection team; establishes shift expectations, enforces safety standards, and maintains a zero-defect culture across all manufacturing shifts • Partners with Quality, Core Operations and engineering to immediately log, contain, and escalate incoming raw material defects (e.g., resins, glass, hardware, coatings) to suppliers • Meets QA financial objectives by estimating requirements; preparing budgets; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions • Updates job knowledge by studying trends in and developments in quality management; participating in educational opportunities; maintains personal networks; participates in professional organizations. • Accepts ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; explores opportunities to add value to job accomplishments. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • BS/BA degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical field. • 5+ years of QA leadership experience in automotive, composite, fiberglass, or heavy manufacturing environments • Deep understanding of quality core tools (APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC). • Professional quality certification (e.g., ASQ CQM/OE, CQE, or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt) strongly preferred. • Experience with Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 standards). • Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP) to perform Gage R&R, process capability, and data analysis. • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, and workflow platforms (e.g., Asana). • Excellent leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills with a hands-on presence on the factory floor. • Able to travel to meet with suppliers as necessary • Strong interpersonal skills with exceptional conflict resolution attribute • Work history that demonstrates a strong work ethic • Adaptability & stress tolerance • Team-oriented with a positive attitude and willingness to work hard Compensation and Benefits: • Compensation DOE • Health, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, and life insurance • 401k with match • Paid parental leave • Wellness • Free water, decent coffee, nice people • Vacation