Quality Manager

Job Title: Quality Manager

Location: Wausau, WI

Pay Range: $100,000 - $120,000/year (flexible for highly qualified candidates) + 7.5% Bonus

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Onsite)

Type of Employment: Permanent Hire

Benefits: Competitive

Summary: The Planet Group is seeking a Quality Manager for a growing company in the manufacturing and foodservice equipment industry. Qualified candidates must have quality leadership experience within a manufacturing environment, a strong background in continuous improvement, and the ability to drive quality systems and process standardization. This role leads and strengthens quality programs within a well-established manufacturing organization experiencing growth and operational transformation. The Quality Manager will oversee quality systems, lead a team of quality professionals, and partner with manufacturing, engineering, operations, and leadership teams to drive product quality, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role offers the opportunity to build and enhance quality processes, improve operational performance, reduce defects, and support the development of scalable manufacturing practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Quality Engineers and Quality Technicians.
• Drive quality initiatives, process improvements, and standardization efforts across manufacturing operations.
• Oversee quality management systems, audits, compliance activities, and quality documentation.
• Establish, track, and report key quality metrics and performance indicators.
• Lead root cause investigations, corrective actions, preventive actions, and non-conformance resolution efforts.
• Support internal testing, validation activities, and product quality initiatives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Customer Service, and Supply Chain.
• Facilitate continuous improvement activities utilizing Lean methodologies, Kaizen events, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Develop and deliver quality-related training programs to support operational excellence.
• Analyze quality trends and data to identify opportunities for improvement and risk reduction.
• Support supplier and customer quality initiatives as needed.
• Ensure compliance with applicable quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience in a quality-focused environment.

• Prior experience leading quality teams or quality programs.

• Strong knowledge of quality systems, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, process mapping, FMEA, statistical process control, or related quality tools.

• Ability to read engineering drawings and utilize measurement equipment.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership capabilities.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Willingness to travel up to 10% for customer and supplier support activities.

• Why Consider This Opportunity?

• High-impact leadership role with the ability to shape and improve quality operations.

• Opportunity to influence manufacturing transformation and process standardization initiatives.

• Stable, growing organization with multiple manufacturing and distribution operations across North America.

• Relocation assistance available.

• Bonus opportunity and strong long-term career growth potential.

About The Planet Group:

• The Planet Group is a global professional services firm delivering strategic staffing and advisory solutions. We operate at the intersection of talent and transformation, connecting the right people with the right opportunities. We partner with clients to move fast, stay agile, and drive measurable results, building high-impact teams that fuel transformation and growth. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity.

EEOC Compliance Statement:

• We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.