Emerald Transportation Solutions is looking for a Quality Assurance Manager to leads and oversee the company’s Quality Department. This position is responsible for managing a team of Quality Inspectors and driving company-wide quality initiatives throughout the truck body manufacturing and upfitting process. The Quality Assurance Manager will also ensure compliance with internal quality standards, customer expectations, DOT /FMVSS regulations, and continuous improvement initiatives while partnering closely with Engineering, Production, Procurement, and Operations leadership. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can develop people, improve processes, and build a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and supervise the Quality Inspection team across all production areas.
- Assign daily inspection priorities and ensure proper coverage throughout production operations.
- Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, disciplinary actions, and development planning for Quality Inspectors.
- Establish departmental KPIs and accountability standards related to quality, defects, rework, and production efficiency.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, professionalism, and operational excellence.
- Coordinate staffing needs, training schedules, and departmental workflow planning.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for quality-related concerns within production.
Quality Systems & Process Oversight
- Develop, implement, and maintain company quality management systems and inspection procedures.
- Responsible for standard work instructions, working with engineering / operations when generating new work instructions. Also current work instructions as needed.
- Ensure compliance with DOT / FMVSS regulations, internal manufacturing standards, and customer specifications.
- Conduct internal layered process audits and monitor adherence to quality control systems and SOPs.
- Analyze manufacturing workflows to identify process improvement opportunities and reduce defects.
- Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Develop and maintain standardized inspection processes for fabrication, assembly, electrical, reefer, chassis, and final delivery operations.
- Ensure all inspection documentation is accurate, organized, and maintained properly.
Inspection & Production Support
- Oversee incoming material inspections to ensure components meet specifications and quality expectations.
- Manage in-process and final inspections throughout all production stages.
- Ensure final product quality prior to shipment and customer delivery.
- Collaborate with Production Supervisors and Engineering to resolve quality concerns in real time.
- Review and approve non-conformance reports and corrective action plans.
- Assist with containment activities and quality holds when defects are identified.
- Prepare and present quality reports and metrics to leadership, including defect trends, rework percentages, audit findings, and corrective actions.
- Track customer complaints, warranty concerns, and recurring quality issues to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Utilize quality tools such as Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, Control Plans, 5 Whys, and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Support operational excellence initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving throughput, and increasing first-pass quality.
- Partner with Safety and Operations leadership to ensure compliance with workplace standards and manufacturing best practices.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field preferred.
- Minimum of 5+ years of experience in quality assurance or quality engineering within manufacturing, automotive, truck body, or industrial production environments.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience managing Quality Inspectors or production quality teams strongly preferred.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing quality systems, inspections, audits, and process improvement methodologies.
- Proficient with measurement tools including calipers, gauges, micrometers, and inspection equipment.
- Strong leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality reporting systems.
- Strong sense of accountability and urgency
- Ability to lead through influence and collaboration
- Process-driven mindset with strong attention to detail
- Effective coach and mentor to team members
- Ability to make sound decisions under pressure
- Continuous improvement and problem-solving mentality
- The optimal candidate has refrigeration upfitting experience / basic understanding of HVAC systems
Starting Salary: $95,000
Benefits:
(9) Paid Holidays
PTO
Tuition Reimbursement
Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA
401K retirement savings with match
Reports To: Director of Engineering
