Quality Systems Lead

As the Quality Systems Lead you will own the site Quality Management System (QMS) across both Hattiesburg facilities and is accountable for its effectiveness in driving measurable quality performance. This role is responsible for transitioning the QMS from a compliance-based system to a proactive system through strong ownership of technical documentation, risk identification, and process control. The position ensures that core quality tools are actively used, maintained, and continuously improved to eliminate variation and prevent escapes while remaining compliant with internal procedures.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain all aspects of the site Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring it is effective, aligned to ISO/IATF requirements, and drives defect prevention and process control.

• Own the QMS process for core quality tools, including Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, Control Plans, and Work Instructions, ensuring engineers and Product Quality Leaders maintain alignment between documented requirements and shop floor execution

• Ensure risk-based thinking is embedded within the QMS by proactively identifying process risks and implementing controls to prevent defects and variation.

• Manage the internal audit program, analyze internal audit results, process data, and quality trends to identify systemic issues and drive corrective actions that improve process performance.

• Identify, train, and develop internal auditors to ensure audit effectiveness and consistency.

• Own the effectiveness of corrective action systems (ICAR, DMR, EPR), ensuring root cause analysis, containment, and permanent corrective actions are implemented and sustained.

• Maintain and control all Level 2 and Level 3 QMS documentation, ensuring documents are accurate, current, accessible, and drive standard work.

• Ensure all ISO and process control documentation is properly approved, controlled, and maintained within electronic systems.

• Support process and product validation activities by ensuring Control Plans and inspection methods are defined, implemented, and followed.

• Representing the site during ISO, third-party, and customer audits, demonstrating QMS effectiveness and process control.

• Maintain quality records and develop reports that provide clear visibility to process performance, risks, and improvement opportunities.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying gaps in process control, standardization, and documentation.

• Assist in quality organization administrative activities as directed by Quality Manager.

• Frequent contact with operations, leaders, and support departments

• Frequent contact with plant management staff

• Supplier Quality

• Plant representative for all external, ISO, and customer audits.

Requirements

• Associate's degree from a technical college or Bachelor's degree in a non-engineering discipline preferred.

• Minimum 4 years of quality control experience in APQP-style quality systems. Self-motivation is a must.

• Minimum 4 years of experience AS9100/ISO/IATF16949 auditing process.

• Minimum 4 years of experience in Technical and Procedure Development writing

• Experience in a technical/manufacturing industry preferred.

• Experience with AIAG principles.