Quality Manager

Job DetailsJob Location: Wichita, KS 67211SUMMARY The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the quality management system and driving a proactive, process-driven quality culture within a regulated aerospace manufacturing environment. This role focuses on reducing defects at the source, improving overall quality performance, and ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. The Quality Manager partners closely with operations, engineering, and customers to enhance processes, implement meaningful metrics, and maintain certification standards. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Lead transformation of the quality system from inspection-based to process-driven, eliminating defects at the source through proactive quality integration Develop, implement, and continuously improve quality systems, processes, and procedures to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements Establish and manage quality performance metrics, including scrap, rework, first pass yield, cost of quality, and customer escapes, driving measurable improvement Integrate quality metrics into ERP systems and ensure visibility, accuracy, and organizational adoption across departments Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action efforts to eliminate recurring issues and improve overall product quality Partner with engineering and operations to ensure quality is embedded into production processes, program planning, and execution Oversee in-process and final inspections to ensure products meet defined quality standards Lead and manage the quality team, including performance management, training, development, and organizational planning Maintain NADCAP and other relevant certifications, ensuring audit readiness and successful completion of internal, external, and customer audits Serve as the primary customer interface for quality, supporting audits, resolving issues, and maintaining strong working relationships Ensure effective communication and collaboration across departments to support quality objectives and continuous improvement initiatives QualificationsKNOWLEDGE Aerospace quality systems, standards, and regulatory requirements NADCAP and certification maintenance processes Process improvement methodologies and quality system development Root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) Statistical process control (SPC) and quality metrics ERP systems and data-driven performance tracking Audit processes, including internal, external, and customer audits COMPETENCIES Strategic leadership with strong execution capability Ability to drive organizational change and process improvement Analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills Effective communication across all levels of the organization Ability to influence cross-functional teams and gain buy-in High level of accountability, ownership, and quality mindset   EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION High school diploma or equivalent required Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or related field preferred 15+ years of experience in aerospace or related manufacturing environment Extensive experience leading quality systems and continuous improvement initiatives Experience with NADCAP and maintaining certification standards required Experience with SPC programs, ERP systems, and data analysis tools preferred   WORKING CONDITIONS Combination of office and production floor environment Frequent interaction with operations, engineering, customers, and leadership Standard business hours with additional time required during audits or critical production periods Frequent use of computers, reporting systems, and quality tools   WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident If a Security Clearance is required: Candidates "must/may need" to be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance Successful candidates must be able to secure Program Access approval