JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the VP of Operation for REI, the Quality Manager leads the facility’s commitment to excellence by overseeing all inspection processes and quality assurance protocols within a high-volume cabinetry environment. This role is a floor-intensive leadership position responsible for ensuring that all products meet rigorous safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC) standards before reaching the customer.

The Quality Manager serves as the primary authority on material standards, finish consistency, and structural integrity, working directly with production teams to identify root causes of defects and implement corrective actions. By maintaining a constant presence on the manufacturing floor, conducting in-process audits, and mentoring staff on standardized quality work instructions, the Quality Manager ensures consistent material flow and protects the brand’s reputation for superior craftsmanship and on-time order fulfillment.

KEY RESPONSABILITIES:

Spend the majority of shift on the manufacturing floor supervising inspectors and technicians, providing real-time guidance and feedback to production teams.
Evaluate and pass/reject final products and sub-assemblies based on rigorous quality standards, specifically focusing on wood grain matching, finish consistency, and joint integrity.
Lead the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) program; perform deep-dive root cause analysis on production defects to prevent recurrence.
Audit internal production processes and equipment calibration to ensure all cabinetry components meet dimensional and structural specifications.
Utilize precision inspection and testing equipment (calipers, micrometers, moisture meters, and pin gauges) to verify material and build accuracy.
Oversee the creation and maintenance of all quality-related documentation, including NCMRs (Non-Conforming Material Reports), deviations, and change requests.
Identify and collect data to measure the "Cost of Quality" (scrap, rework, and returns) and present summarized trends to upper management.
Interface with Engineering, Production, and Shipping to resolve "day-to-day" quality bottlenecks and ensure smooth material flow.
Develop and execute QA training programs across the plant, coach staff to recognize defects at all stages of the manufacturing and packing process.
Contribute to the continuous improvement and maintenance of the QMS, ensuring all systems of record are accurate and fully utilized.
Gather product feedback from customers and collaborate with Purchasing to audit raw material/hardware quality from vendors.
Support and enforce the company quality policy while modeling unwavering commitment to floor safety and PPE standards.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

Bachelor’s degree in quality, engineering, or a related field, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in Quality Management within a manufacturing environment.
5+ years of experience supervising and developing teams. Must be a strong, floor-visible leader capable of influencing production staff and driving culture change regarding quality standards.
Proven manufacturing background (multi-site experience a plus) with a deep understanding of woodworking processes, material characteristics, and finishing standards.
Mastery of standard quality tools, including FMEA (Failure Modes Effect Analysis), SPC (Statistical Process Control), and Root Cause Analysis, to proactively identify and resolve production bottlenecks.
Advanced skills in investigative root cause analysis and the ability to implement effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, executing at both a detailed "hands-on" inspection level and a high-level strategic level.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills must be able to convey technical quality data clearly in reports, meetings, and directly to floor personnel in a loud shop environment.
Results-oriented mindset with the ability to translate quality visions into actionable floor-level plans and hit aggressive goals for reducing scrap and rework.
Ability to read complex blueprints/CAD drawings and operate precision inspection equipment (calipers, moisture meters, etc.).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and navigate the manufacturing floor for the duration of their shift. The role requires high-level manual dexterity to perform detailed tactile inspections, handle hardware samples, and utilize precision measuring tools (e.g., calipers, gauges). The employee must occasionally lift or maneuver cabinet components weighing up to 40 lbs. for closer inspection.

Critical to this role is acute visual depth perception and color vision to identify subtle defects in wood grain, finish consistency, joint alignment, and structural integrity. Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and give clear direction to production teams and supervisors within a high-decibel manufacturing environment. Consistent use of all required PPE, including steel-toed boots, safety glasses, and hearing protection, is mandatory.

Republic Elite is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform essential job functions, provided such accommodation does not create an undue hardship for the company.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is a floor-intensive leadership role performed primarily within a high-volume cabinet manufacturing facility. The Quality Manager will spend the majority of their shift (80%+) actively navigating the production floor to conduct real-time inspections and provide immediate feedback to fabrication teams. The role requires constant exposure to an industrial environment featuring moving mechanical parts, heavy material transport, and high-speed woodworking machinery. Environmental conditions include consistent presence in areas with airborne wood dust, finishing agents, and chemical adhesives.

As a primary steward of both quality and safety, the manager must demonstrate unwavering compliance with all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements, including hearing protection, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots. The candidate must possess physical and mental stamina to maintain high-level visual focus and clear communication within a loud, fast-paced, and demanding manufacturing setting.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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