Sr. Quality Manager
Job Description
Description & Requirements
AESC is looking to add a Sr. Quality Manager to our team in Columbia, SC.
AESC is an exciting, newly created global organization committed to solving the challenges of a sustainable future and becoming the leading supplier of full-value-chain battery solutions. Our lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly one million electric vehicles worldwide and have a stellar safety record of zero-critical issues. AESC US is leading the way in battery technology. We design and manufacture EV battery technology for various electric vehicles and equipment. We are working hard towards unlocking the full potential of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. We will continue to build upon our successes and expand into new markets and industries, producing innovative and competitive products and technologies that advance the goal of a zero-carbon emission future. AESC is headquartered in Japan and has battery manufacturing locations in Japan, UK, China, and the U.S.
AESC Mission
Our mission is to solve the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.
About The Role
The Sr. Quality Manager is the senior leader responsible for the overall quality strategy, quality systems, customer quality performance, supplier quality oversight, and manufacturing quality excellence for the site or assigned business unit. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across the quality organization and ensures that quality objectives are aligned with business goals, customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and operational priorities.
The Sr. Quality Manager serves as the primary quality leader for the site and partners closely with Plant Leadership, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Program Management, and other cross-functional stakeholders to drive a culture of quality, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement. This role is accountable for the effectiveness of the Quality Management System, quality performance metrics, audit readiness, launch quality, customer satisfaction, supplier quality performance, and the overall reduction of cost of poor quality.
This leader will build and develop a high-performing quality organization capable of supporting launch, ramp-up, and sustained operations in a complex, fast-paced manufacturing environment.
What You Will Do
Strategic Quality Leadership
What You Need
Required Qualifications
Welcome to AESC, supporting our state-of-the-art Gigafactories, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. At AESC, we offer a comprehensive compensation package. In addition, we provide a range of valuable benefits, such as 401K,and health insurance. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission of changing the world.
Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, if you believe this role suits you well, we encourage you to apply. Your application gives us the opportunity to learn more about you and explore potential fits within our team.
Following the submission of your application, we are committed to providing timely responses to all applicants, though response times may vary depending on the volume of submissions. If you do not receive an immediate response, please rest assured that this in no way reflects on the quality of your candidacy. Your application will be retained in our files, and we may reach out to you for future roles that align with your skills and interests. As our organization experiences rapid growth, we appreciate your patience in this process. We are actively working each day to enhance our application procedures to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for all applicants. Thank you for your understanding and enthusiasm for joining our dynamic team.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
First year not to exceed 75% Domestic travel and may include international travel. From the second year up to 25% travel. Extensive travel abroad when assigned to coordinate a major program. Ability to travel to supplier locations on short notice.
Work Environment
The work environment is primarily an automated manufacturing plant with a concrete floor and is characterized by some temperature extremes, moderate noise, and forklift traffic. The individual must be able to perform all essential functions as appropriate on the plant floor, in meetings, and with employees, management, customers and suppliers.
Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.
Description & Requirements
AESC is looking to add a Sr. Quality Manager to our team in Columbia, SC.
- Full-Time
- On-site
AESC is an exciting, newly created global organization committed to solving the challenges of a sustainable future and becoming the leading supplier of full-value-chain battery solutions. Our lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly one million electric vehicles worldwide and have a stellar safety record of zero-critical issues. AESC US is leading the way in battery technology. We design and manufacture EV battery technology for various electric vehicles and equipment. We are working hard towards unlocking the full potential of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. We will continue to build upon our successes and expand into new markets and industries, producing innovative and competitive products and technologies that advance the goal of a zero-carbon emission future. AESC is headquartered in Japan and has battery manufacturing locations in Japan, UK, China, and the U.S.
AESC Mission
Our mission is to solve the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.
About The Role
The Sr. Quality Manager is the senior leader responsible for the overall quality strategy, quality systems, customer quality performance, supplier quality oversight, and manufacturing quality excellence for the site or assigned business unit. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across the quality organization and ensures that quality objectives are aligned with business goals, customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and operational priorities.
The Sr. Quality Manager serves as the primary quality leader for the site and partners closely with Plant Leadership, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Program Management, and other cross-functional stakeholders to drive a culture of quality, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement. This role is accountable for the effectiveness of the Quality Management System, quality performance metrics, audit readiness, launch quality, customer satisfaction, supplier quality performance, and the overall reduction of cost of poor quality.
This leader will build and develop a high-performing quality organization capable of supporting launch, ramp-up, and sustained operations in a complex, fast-paced manufacturing environment.
What You Will Do
Strategic Quality Leadership
- Lead the overall quality strategy for the site or assigned business unit, ensuring alignment with company goals, customer requirements, and operational objectives.
- Serve as the senior quality leader and key advisor to plant and business leadership on quality performance, quality risks, compliance, and improvement priorities.
- Establish short- and long-term quality objectives and ensure execution through robust systems, organizational capability, and cross-functional accountability.
- Drive a plant-wide culture of quality excellence, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement.
- Own the site Quality Management System and ensure compliance with internal requirements, customer requirements, and applicable industry and regulatory standards.
- Lead quality governance related to IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, ISO 14001, customer-specific requirements, internal audits, external audits, and corrective action systems.
- Ensure effective implementation and sustainability of quality processes, controls, procedures, and documentation throughout the organization.
- Provide oversight of audit readiness and ensure timely and effective closure of audit findings, nonconformances, and systemic gaps.
- Lead the quality organization in support of manufacturing operations across multiple shifts, ensuring consistent product quality, process discipline, and operational stability.
- Oversee plant quality performance including defect reduction, scrap reduction, rework reduction, first-pass yield improvement, and containment effectiveness.
- Ensure robust systems are in place for nonconforming material control, product disposition, deviation management, escalation handling, and corrective/preventive actions.
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance leadership to improve process capability, reduce process variation, and strengthen manufacturing controls.
- Serve as the senior escalation point for major customer quality concerns, complaints, field issues, warranty concerns, and product containment activities.
- Lead customer-facing quality communications, reviews, investigations, and recovery actions as required.
- Provide strategic oversight of supplier quality and incoming quality processes to ensure material performance, supplier accountability, and launch readiness.
- Ensure effective supplier corrective action processes, supplier quality performance management, and cross-functional resolution of incoming material issues.
- Provide executive oversight for APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, validation activities, launch containment, and readiness reviews for new products, new lines, new equipment, and process changes.
- Ensure quality requirements are embedded in new program development, commissioning, and production readiness activities.
- Support successful product and process launches by identifying and mitigating quality risks before they impact operations or the customer.
- Establish and review key quality performance indicators including customer complaints, ppm, scrap, rework, audit findings, corrective action closure, supplier defects, and cost of poor quality.
- Translate quality performance into business risk, operational risk, and financial impact for leadership decision-making.
- Develop and manage departmental budgets and support investment planning related to staffing, training, inspection systems, metrology, containment, and quality infrastructure.
- Lead risk-based decision-making related to product quality, process controls, launch readiness, and customer impact.
- Lead, develop, and structure the quality organization, including managers, engineers, supervisors, and technical staff as applicable.
- Build organizational capability through workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, training, and leadership coaching.
- Set performance expectations aligned to business and quality objectives and ensure accountability through regular performance management and development processes.
- Foster strong employee relations and a culture of ownership, professionalism, collaboration, and engagement.
- Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Maintenance, EHS, HR, and Program teams to ensure alignment on plant priorities and sustained business performance.
- Represent Quality in leadership reviews, customer meetings, corporate reviews, and cross-regional or global discussions.
- Drive site-wide quality improvement initiatives and ensure quality considerations are integrated into key business decisions.
- Complete other duties as assigned.
What You Need
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in quality, manufacturing, or engineering within a complex industrial or manufacturing environment.
- Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing quality organizations, including direct leadership of managers, engineers, or multi-level teams.
- Demonstrated experience leading quality strategy and execution in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and manufacturing quality disciplines.
- Strong working knowledge of automotive core tools, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience leading internal and external audits and driving sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
- Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, ISO 14001, and customer-specific quality requirements.
- Demonstrated experience managing customer quality, supplier quality, manufacturing quality, and quality systems in an integrated manner.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making capability.
- Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Proven ability to influence cross-functional leaders and drive results in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience in EV battery, ESS battery, automotive OEM, or Tier 1 manufacturing environments.
- Experience in new plant start-up, launch, ramp-up, or major expansion environments.
- Experience in global or matrixed organizations with cross-cultural leadership responsibilities.
- Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification.
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Operations, or Business Administration.
- Experience supporting highly automated manufacturing operations and advanced process controls.
Welcome to AESC, supporting our state-of-the-art Gigafactories, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. At AESC, we offer a comprehensive compensation package. In addition, we provide a range of valuable benefits, such as 401K,and health insurance. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission of changing the world.
- An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
- Highly automated, clean, safe, and temperature-controlled production environment
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401K with company match
- Life Insurance (Company paid and additional voluntary life available)
- Paid Vacation and 14 Paid Holidays
- Short term and long-term disability coverage (Company Paid)
- Tuition reimbursement
Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, if you believe this role suits you well, we encourage you to apply. Your application gives us the opportunity to learn more about you and explore potential fits within our team.
Following the submission of your application, we are committed to providing timely responses to all applicants, though response times may vary depending on the volume of submissions. If you do not receive an immediate response, please rest assured that this in no way reflects on the quality of your candidacy. Your application will be retained in our files, and we may reach out to you for future roles that align with your skills and interests. As our organization experiences rapid growth, we appreciate your patience in this process. We are actively working each day to enhance our application procedures to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for all applicants. Thank you for your understanding and enthusiasm for joining our dynamic team.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
- Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.
- Required to occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift, push, pull and/or move up to 35 pounds.
First year not to exceed 75% Domestic travel and may include international travel. From the second year up to 25% travel. Extensive travel abroad when assigned to coordinate a major program. Ability to travel to supplier locations on short notice.
Work Environment
The work environment is primarily an automated manufacturing plant with a concrete floor and is characterized by some temperature extremes, moderate noise, and forklift traffic. The individual must be able to perform all essential functions as appropriate on the plant floor, in meetings, and with employees, management, customers and suppliers.
Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.