Guided Search Partners (GSP)

Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships.
We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a manufacturing organization supporting major automotive customers. This is a confidential search for a Quality Manager in the Missouri.
The role is newly reopened and urgent, with a focus on strengthening quality systems and supporting continued growth and customer confidence.
This environment fits a hands-on quality leader who builds trust on the floor, communicates clearly, and enjoys turning expectations into daily execution.

What You’ll Do

• Lead plant quality performance and support ongoing IATF compliance.

• Own core automotive quality requirements (APQP/PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC) and keep them audit-ready and usable.

• Partner with plant leadership and corporate quality to align priorities and drive follow-through.

• Be visible on the floor—troubleshooting issues, driving root cause, and closing gaps with the team.

• Support productive customer and supplier relationships through timely, confident communication.

Who You Are

• A practical, solutions-first leader who stays calm under pressure.

• Hands-on and credible—comfortable in the work and in front of stakeholders.

• Clear communicator who can align teams and maintain standards through change.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• OEM-facing quality experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive core tools (APQP/PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC).

• Experience leading and developing a quality team.

• Nice to have process audit experience (lead auditor exposure a plus).

• Nice to have injection molding exposure.

Why This Role Matters

This role helps protect customer confidence, sustain certification expectations, and support a site that is moving from stabilization into growth. Visibility is high, and impact is immediate.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Plant Manager.

• Leads: a quality team including a supervisor and multiple engineers.

• Partners closely with: Corporate Quality and cross-functional leaders.