Quality Operations Manager

EXPLEO GROUP USA is currently looking for a Quality Operations Manager to join our team for an exciting opportunity in Kinston, North Carolina.

The Quality Operations Manager will play a critical leadership role in supporting aerospace manufacturing operations by ensuring product conformity, compliance with customer and regulatory requirements, and the successful execution of quality initiatives across the Airbus A350 program. This position offers the opportunity to lead a high-performing quality team within a dynamic aerospace manufacturing environment where safety, quality, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction are essential to success.

• Lead daily quality operations supporting manufacturing activities
• Manage, mentor, and develop Quality Engineers, Quality Inspectors, and quality support personnel
• Serve as the primary quality escalation point for operational, manufacturing, and customer concerns
• Provide leadership coverage across both first and second shift operations to ensure operational continuity and employee support
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the facility

• Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry quality requirements
• Maintain adherence to AS9100 quality standards and aerospace industry best practices
• Conduct quality reviews, audits, and performance assessments to ensure program objectives are achieved
• Support customer and regulatory audits while ensuring timely closure of findings and corrective actions
• Ensure quality documentation, inspection records, and manufacturing processes meet established standards and requirements

• Lead containment actions, non-conformance management, and discrepancy resolution activities
• Drive Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) initiatives utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies
• Partner with production, engineering, manufacturing, and supplier quality teams to resolve quality concerns
• Monitor corrective and preventive actions to ensure timely and sustainable resolution of identified issues
• Support risk mitigation activities and promote proactive quality management practices

• Monitor and improve key performance metrics related to Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People (SQCDP)
• Analyze quality trends and establish action plans to improve product quality and operational performance
• Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles
• Support Statistical Process Control (SPC) initiatives and data-driven decision-making processes
• Drive operational excellence through process optimization and performance improvement programs

• Partner closely with  production, engineering, manufacturing, and supplier quality organizations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customer representatives and key stakeholders
• Support commercial aerospace manufacturing operations while ensuring customer expectations are met
• Communicate quality performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to leadership and customer teams
• Contribute to strategic quality planning and execution across the Airbus A350 program

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field
• Minimum 7+ years of aerospace manufacturing quality experience
• Minimum 3+ years of leadership or management experience
• Experience supporting commercial aerospace programs
• Strong understanding of AS9100 quality management systems, root cause corrective action (RCCA), non-conformance management, first article inspection (AS9102), continuous improvement methodologies, statistical process control (SPC) and risk management
• Experience working directly with OEM customers and production leadership teams
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities
• Excellent communication, leadership, and customer relationship management skills
• Ability to support operations across multiple shifts and work a flexible schedule as required
• Airbus aircraft experience strongly preferred
• Experience supporting Airbus A350 aircraft programs
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or related quality certifications
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
• Experience managing multi-shift quality teams
• Familiarity with aerospace composite structures and assembly operations
• Knowledge of SAP, MES, and aerospace quality documentation systems
• Experience working in highly regulated aerospace manufacturing environments
• Advanced continuous improvement and operational excellence experience
• Aerospace quality management training and leadership development certifications