Quality Assurance Manager

POSITION GOAL:

Ensure the New Flyer Quality system is fully understood, executed, and maintained across the Crookston facility. The Quality Manager provides leadership to the Quality Assurance Department and the plant overall, ensuring all aspects of New Flyer’s Quality Assurance system are in place and functioning effectively. As a key member of the leadership team, this role plays a critical part in driving excellence within a dynamic, two‑shift operation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure that the Quality Assurance department is staffed with trained and high-performing team members.  Provide guidance, training plans and feedback for areas of improvement for Quality personnel as appropriate.  Ensure that annual EPR (Employee Performance Reviews) are completed and reviewed with staff as required.
• Ensure effective MBOs (Management by Objectives) are in place for each team member and are monitored at regular intervals. Identify potential roadblocks and assist in counter measures to remove those roadblocks to improved performance.
• Ensure that the team members they oversee are adhering to all safety, regulatory and legal requirements defined by New Flyer.
• Be a critical contributor to the Crookston Plant’s goal to Delight Customers. Support and drive initiatives that aid in presenting buses devoid of customer dissatisfiers while meeting New Flyer’s quality standards. Develop relationships with customers to promote a harmonious relationship between them and New Flyer. 
• Provide resources to act as customer liaison with property inspection personnel.  Ensure process exists to train property inspection personnel on New Flyer’s Quality system and provide the Property Inspection orientation.
• Help drive the plant’s First-Time Quality initiative. Identify repeat defects and utilize the Quality Assurance System (QAS) to target inspections and present performance data to Production for resolution.  Work with production leadership to identify plans to address those areas.
• Support Operational Excellence and Lean Culture objectives with special emphasis of those areas related to Quality. 
• Support and endorse the use of the New Flyer/MCI Quality tools to drive Quality and Continuous Improvement.  This includes support and completion of different projects and completion of Six Sigma Green Belt training as appropriate.  Ensure that the tools are clearly understood, functioning as intended and providing the desired results.
• Be strategic. Focus the Quality departments and the organization’s finite resources on the highest-impact issues and have the discipline and managerial courage to de-prioritize other activities.
• Collaborate with other Quality Managers to ensure a consistent approach to the execution of New Flyer’s Quality system.
• Provide leadership and resources to ensure that all Plant cell teams have trained and high-performing Quality department representation supporting the cell team.  Ensure Quality is active participant in problem resolution, scrap reduction and improvement opportunities for the cell.
• Support the maintenance of New Flyer’s ISO 9001 registration and New Flyer Management System including providing Quality department representation in the internal audit process.
• Oversee corrective actions required at the plant for Quality issues identified after delivery to customer locations.
• Responsible for Supplier Quality Assurance including providing trained resources to support First Article inspections and NCP process (Non-Conforming part), issuance and follow up of SCANs (Supplier Corrective Action Notices) and resolution of Supplier Quality issues.
• Develop annual operating budget and monitor performance to budget on monthly basis.
• Provide trained resources and support New Flyer’s Advanced Product Quality Planning process to ensure that Quality planning for upcoming builds is completed in a thorough and comprehensive manner.  Ensure all available sources of data for planning purposes are being used effectively.
• Provide trained resources for product inspections and ensure inspections are carried out in a standardized and consistent manner between inspection personnel. 
• Provide resources to support the coordination of shipment of buses and issues encountered with bus deliveries.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a technical field required;
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years in Quality Assurance and at least 5 years in supervisory or management roles (preferably managing managers). Manufacturing experience required, with preference for specialized product manufacturing and low‑volume, high‑mix environments (e.g., aerospace, commercial or recreational vehicles).
• Quality & Technical Expertise:
• ISO experience preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong structured problem‑solving skills (A3, Lean Belt, 5 Whys)
• Experience with P-PAPs, Quality Control Plans, and Production Failure Modes Affects Analysis

• Leadership & Soft Skills:
• Proven strong leader with experience driving cultural change
• Skilled in motivating teams, building accountability, and leading cross‑functional groups
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational abilities
• Adaptable and effective in dynamic, fast‑paced environments
• Travel: Up to 10% or less.

Benefits

• Be a part of a team leading the world’s electrification of mass mobility
• Immediate benefit eligibility (medical, dental, vision, etc.)
• Paid holidays (13) and vacation
• 401K with generous company match
• On-the-job training in a continuous learning environment
• Advancement opportunities within our family of companies
• Inclusive workplace culture that values and empowers team members

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New Flyer is an EEO/AA/Female/Minority/Disabled/Vets Employer.  Accommodations are available at all stages of the recruitment process, at the candidates’ request.

NFI Group is a leading independent global bus manufacturer providing a comprehensive suite of mass transportation solutions.  News and information are available at www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com, www.alexander-dennis.com,www.carfaircomposites.com and www.nfi.parts.