Quality Control Manager Jobs in Minnesota

INTRODUCTION

The Quality Control Manager (QC Operations) leads Incoming Inspection, In-Process Inspection, Final Inspection, and Quality Laboratory functions while partnering closely with New Product Development (NPD/NPI) and Manufacturing to ensure compliant product realization and operational excellence. This role drives risk-based quality control strategies, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement to deliver high-quality products right the first time. The role requires a hands-on technical leader who can set direction, prioritize workload, coach and develop the team, and effectively interface with plant leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Team Management:

- Lead, coach, and develop Inspection and Quality Control teams across Incoming, In-Process, and Final Inspection, as well as Quality Laboratory functions.
- Establish and manage Inspection & QC objectives and KPIs aligned with site quality, safety, delivery, and cost targets.
- Build a high-performance culture focused on compliance, defect prevention, continuous improvement, and accountability.
- Drive workforce planning and resource allocation to support production demand, new product introductions (NPI), and engineering changes.
- Ensure inspector training, certification, and qualification meet regulatory and technical requirements.

Measurement Process Ownership:

- Own the end-to-end inspection and quality control lifecycle, from requirements definition through validation, release, and controlled change for production use.
- Establish and maintain standardized work for inspection methods, sampling plans, documentation, and change control within the Quality Management System.
- Ensure inspection processes are robust, efficient, and capable, delivering accurate, repeatable, and reliable results.
- Define and govern inspection strategies, including visual, dimensional, functional, and test methods, aligned with engineering requirements and risk-based quality principles.
- Drive standardization of inspection approaches across parts, processes, shifts, and sites to reduce variation, rework, and release cycle time.

Continuous Improvement & Compliance:

- Lead initiatives to improve first-time-right quality, reduce cycle time inspection, and lower the cost of poor quality.
- Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, internal procedures, & customer standards for inspection & product release.
- Maintain compliant documentation, including inspection records, DHRs, validation evidence, and controlled procedures.
- Incorporate lessons learned from nonconformances, escapes, and audits into updated inspection methods and controls.
- Apply data-driven tools such as SPC, trend analysis, and risk-based sampling to drive proactive quality improvement.

Stakeholder Management & Communication:

- Partner with Design, Operations, Engineering, and Quality to align inspection strategy with manufacturing execution.
- Communicate performance trends, risks, and improvement actions clearly to site leadership.
- Support NPI readiness and engineering changes through inspection planning and execution.
- Represent Inspection & Quality Control in cross-functional reviews and audits.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Quality Control Manager Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or related field
- 5+ years in Quality Control or Manufacturing Quality
- Strong FDA 21 CFR 820 and ISO 13485 knowledge
- 5+ years of Leadership experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Quality Control Manager Preferred Requirements:

- Lean/Six Sigma experience
- High-mix manufacturing environment experience

COMPENSATION

- Pay Range USD $100,000.00 - USD $145,000.00 /Yr.