Sr. Quality Manager

Since 1890, Pfeiffer Vacuum has been shaping the vacuum industry with groundbreaking innovations. Every day, over 4,000 employees at 10 production sites and more than twenty sales and service companies worldwide give everything for our customers. With our comprehensive portfolio, we offer solutions for all types of vacuum applications. We are not only driven by highest quality standards, but it is also our vision to be the most sustainable and fastest growing market player in our industry to drive technology for a sustainable future. Apply now and make our success story yours too!

SUMMARY

Senior Quality Manager shall lead and drive the strategic and operational excellence of our Quality Department. This leadership role oversees multiple functional groups including Quality Engineering, Quality Control, RMA and Valve Service, and Document Control. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, a proactive mindset, and deep knowledge of ISO Quality Management Systems to ensure high standards of quality across the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Exercise of judgment, discretion, and tact in all business matters and business relationships is required.  Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain clear and cooperative working relationships with co-workers and demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality are essential. The organization’s leadership promotes collaborative problem solving in both formal and informal work teams. Participation in and contribution to teamwork within the organization is required. Additional requirements include experience in an administrative position with solid familiarity with databases, spreadsheets, and collection procedures. Necessary interpersonal skills include being a self-starter, motivated, creative, flexible, self-confident, deadline oriented and able to multi-task. Employees must follow all quality and safety procedures of the company, including those at customer sites if applicable, and must abide by the corporate Code of Conduct in all situations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

1. Hires, trains, and supervises QA personnel assigned as direct reports on approved QA procedures.
2. Responsible for coaching employees for improved performance; issuing disciplinary, corrective action as warranted; and conducting performance reviews on a timely basis. 
3. Helps to develop and maintain QA, Key Performance Measures, and Indices.

Duties

1. Lead and develop the Quality Engineering team, Quality Control group, RMA & Valve Service department, and Document Control department, with support from department level managers & supervisors.
2. Serve as the primary escalation point for significant quality issues—internal and customer-facing—ensuring timely resolution and communication.
3. Oversee the effectiveness of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) and drive continuous compliance and improvement.
4. Track, analyze, and report on global and site-level quality metrics to company leadership, identifying trends and recommending corrective actions.
5. Ensure timely and thorough completion of corrective actions, processing of DMRs (Discrepant Material Reports), and RMAs (Return Material Authorizations).
6. Collaborate with Engineering and Product Management to review and influence product design and specifications to ensure quality and manufacturability.
7. Champion and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives using quality tools and methodologies (e.g., Root Cause Analysis, CAPA, Lean/Six Sigma).
8. Drive cross-functional problem-solving to reduce rework, scrap, and warranty issues while improving product performance and customer satisfaction.

Physical Demands

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

75% inside, climate / noise-controlled office/lab, and 25% high noise level machine shop environment; lifting to 50 lbs. on occasion.  Eye, hearing, and Cleanroom protection may be required.

Tasks require walking, sitting, bending, reaching, mobility, and frequent lifting. Work requires advanced computer skills (word processing, power-point, spreadsheet, and data-entry), attention to detail and accuracy. Communication skills including listening and speaking are required for interaction with other employees, vendors, and customers. Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to balance multiple tasks and any stress associated with the duties and responsibilities of this position are essential requirements in the performance of this job.

The person in this job must be able to travel by air and drive to other company locations. Accordingly, a valid driver’s license and driving record that is satisfactory to the Company must be demonstrated at hire and periodically thereafter.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Company Values

Pfeiffer Vacuum Valves & Engineering believes that we are all suppliers and customers of someone in our organization. Our employees must be able to demonstrate this customer-centric belief - which means that you are value-adding, reliable, performance-driven, innovative, service-minded and agile – in all of their business activities. We expect that our company values of open mindedness, trust, communication, thinking strategically/being creative, being courageous, accountable and humble, ethical sensitivity/compliance, resilience/facing diversity and fostering a culture of empowerment, engagement and collaboration will drive the actions of our employees.

General Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related technical discipline (preferred).

Education and/or Experience

Minimum 8 years of experience in quality roles within a manufacturing environment, including at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.

In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001 QMS and practical experience maintaining certification.

Strong understanding of quality tools such as FMEA, SPC, CAPA, 8D, and root cause analysis.

Experience with quality systems in the semiconductor or precision manufacturing industry is highly desirable.

Language Skills

Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation communication skills in English are required. The Senior Quality Manager must effectively communicate quality objectives, performance metrics, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives to employees, leadership, customers, suppliers, and external auditors. The ability to prepare and interpret technical reports, quality documentation, audit findings, procedures, policies, and correspondence is essential. This position serves as a key representative of the Quality organization and must communicate complex technical and quality-related information in a clear, professional, and tactful manner while fostering cross-functional collaboration.

Mathematical Skills

The individual in this position must possess strong analytical and quantitative skills and be able to apply mathematical concepts used in quality management and manufacturing environments. This includes interpreting statistical data, calculating process capability, analyzing quality trends, evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs), and utilizing statistical process control (SPC) methodologies. Proficiency in analyzing data through spreadsheets, ERP systems, quality management systems, and reporting tools is required. The ability to identify trends, quantify quality performance, and support data-driven decision-making is essential.

Reasoning Ability

The Senior Quality Manager must demonstrate strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. This position requires the ability to identify root causes of complex quality issues, develop effective corrective and preventive actions, and lead cross-functional teams in resolving manufacturing, supplier, customer, and process-related challenges. The ability to evaluate multiple variables, assess risk, interpret technical and quality data, and make sound business decisions with limited information is essential. The incumbent must be capable of driving continuous improvement initiatives, balancing competing priorities, and exercising sound judgment in situations requiring discretion, leadership, and strategic thinking.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid driver’s license is required

TOOLS AND/OR EQUIPMENT

This position uses a computer extensively with demonstrated abilities in the use of Microsoft products as well as other common office type equipment such as calculators, fax, photocopiers, scanning and mail machines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position may work in various environments including office, factory or home settings. Employees who are authorized to work from home are expected to comply with all company requirements for core work hours or in-person attendance at company meetings or events.

Pfeiffer Vacuum is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

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