Quality Manager

As a Quality Manager at Conner Industries, your main responsibilities include maintaining and enhancing the Quality Management System (QMS) by upholding compliance with ISO 9001-2015 and AS9100 among other standards. You'll conduct internal audits, manage and resolve quality issues, oversee product testing, and train employees on quality protocols. Collaboration with the operations team is vital to implement corrective actions and maintain documentation related to processes and product quality.

To qualify for the Quality Manager role at Conner Industries, candidates should ideally hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, though a combination of relevant education and work experience is also acceptable. Additionally, candidates should have 2-5 years of experience in Quality or Manufacturing Engineering, familiarity with ISO9001/AS9100 standards, and proficiency in MS Office or similar software. Knowledge of Lean/6σ practices is a plus, as is fluency in Spanish.

At Conner Industries, we believe in continuous improvement and employee development. As a Quality Manager, you will be instrumental in training employees on QMS topics. Resources and training programs are available to ensure you are equipped with the best practices in quality management, and you'll have the opportunity to lead training sessions for various levels of the organization.

Quality audits at Conner Industries are a critical part of maintaining compliance with industry standards. As a Quality Manager, you will manage internal audits and facilitate external audits to ensure adherence to our established QMS. This involves preparing documentation, coordinating with audit teams, and following up on corrective actions to address any identified issues. Your leadership will help uphold our commitment to quality.

As a Quality Manager at Conner Industries, you can expect a comprehensive benefits package that includes health care options (medical, dental, and vision), a retirement plan (401k), life insurance, and paid time off. You’ll benefit from accrued vacation starting at 30 days and enjoy company-paid holidays. We also offer tuition reimbursement for trade schools and ongoing training opportunities to support your career development.

In preparing for this question, focus on your hands-on experience with these standards. Talk about specific implementations, audits you've managed, or challenges you've faced while maintaining compliance. Highlight any process improvements you initiated and the positive outcomes they achieved to demonstrate your impact.

Answer this by outlining your structured approach to identifying, documenting, and resolving non-conformances. Discuss how you conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions, emphasizing collaboration with teams to prevent future occurrences. Real-life examples can illustrate your effective problem-solving skills.

When addressing this question, discuss your training methods, such as workshops, hands-on sessions, or documentation reviews. Describe how you adapt your training style to different learning levels and how you measure the effectiveness of the training provided, ensuring that employees understand and adhere to quality standards.

Respond with your prioritization framework, explaining how you assess the severity and potential impact of different quality issues. Discuss how you communicate with your team to ensure that everyone is aligned on priorities and the steps you take to manage your time effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Share a specific example from your past experience that reflects your initiative and leadership. Discuss the project's objectives, your approach to implementation, how you engaged stakeholders, and the measurable results achieved. Highlight any cost savings, efficiency gains, or improvements in customer satisfaction.

Explain how metrics are essential for monitoring performance and driving improvement in quality management. Mention specific metrics you consider, such as defect rates or customer feedback, and how you leverage this data to inform decision-making, track progress on goals, and communicate results to stakeholders.

Discuss your proactive approach to compliance during audits, detailing how you prepare your team and documentation ahead of time. Share strategies such as conducting mock audits, training staff on audit expectations, and regularly reviewing processes to ensure readiness. Mention your experience working collaboratively with auditors to maintain a transparent process.

Share the specific techniques you find most effective in root cause analysis, such as the 5 Whys or Fishbone diagrams. Emphasize how you employ these methods to investigate quality issues thoroughly and how these techniques contribute to implementing sustainable corrective actions.

Discuss your strategies for promoting a quality-first mindset among employees, such as recognition programs for quality achievements, regular meetings to discuss quality goals, and involving everyone in quality improvement initiatives. Emphasize the importance of open communication and how you encourage team members to voice concerns or ideas.

Talk about potential challenges you foresee, such as managing compliance amid changing regulations, communicating quality standards across departments, or ensuring team engagement in quality initiatives. Highlight your strategies for overcoming these challenges and how you stay informed on industry trends to adapt proactively.