Quality Manager

Quality Manager – Synteen Technical Fabrics Department: Quality, ESG & Continuous Improvement

Reports to: Operations Director - NAM

Location: Lancaster, South Carolina

Company Overview Synteen Technical Fabrics, Inc., recently acquired by Maccaferri Inc., a global leader in engineered environmental solutions, specializing in geosynthetic and geotechnical materials for civil engineering and construction applications. With a reputation for innovation, quality, and industry leadership, focused on delivering high-performance solutions that solve complex geotechnical challenges. Synteen Technical Fabrics , Inc., founded in 1998 continues to expand serving all North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Based in Lancaster, South Carolina with a team boasting 75+ years of experience, the company ensures rigorous testing, continuous innovation, and responsiveness to customer feedback to stay at the forefront of the geosynthetics industry and prides itself on manufacturing its products in the United States.

Position Overview The Quality Manager leads the Quality, ESG, and Continuous Improvement functions across all North American manufacturing operations. This role ensures rigorous adherence to internal standards by developing, reviewing, and enhancing current quality processes, as well as establishing KPIs related to quality performance (internal, customer, and supplier) and ESG metrics. Managing external certifications and implementing best-in-class quality practices are also key responsibilities.

The position oversees end-to-end quality governance, including supplier quality, production quality, customer quality, laboratory activities, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives. The role drives long-term system stability, manufacturing consistency, and strong cross-functional alignment across the region.

Key Responsibilities Quality Systems & Certifications

• Maintain and enhance the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring alignment with ISO and ESG standards.
• Lead preparation, execution, and closure of all internal and external audits.
• Ensure compliance with corporate audit protocols, documentation retention, and continuous system readiness.
• Manage quality manuals, procedures, work instructions, and control plans.

Supplier Quality & Incoming Control

• Responsible for, in conjunction with Technical Product Manager, oversight of supplier qualification, requalification, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Define incoming inspection requirements for raw materials and purchased goods.
• Develop corrective action expectations for suppliers and monitor long-term effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Procurement on specification adherence and supplier performance reviews.

Production Quality & In-Process Control

• Establish inspection requirements, sampling plans, and process controls across all manufacturing areas.
• Lead root-cause analyses for internal defects, scrap, and rework.
• Implement statistical process control (SPC) and process capability monitoring.
• Partner with Operations to build standard work, control charts, and corrective action systems.

Customer Quality & Field Support

• Own customer complaint management related to product quality, from intake through corrective action completion.
• Support customer visits, audits, technical inquiries, and documentation needs.
• Maintain customer-facing certificates, test reports, and compliance data sets.

Laboratory & Calibration Management

• Oversee laboratory testing programs, test method development, and equipment upkeep.
• Maintain calibration schedules, records, and traceability for all equipment.
• Train staff on testing procedures and ensure consistent execution.

Continuous Improvement (CIP)

• Support the implementation of a strong CIP culture
• Identify, prioritize, and execute CIP initiatives aligned with scrap reduction, throughput, and cost reduction goals.
• Facilitate Lean and Kaizen events, including 5S, standardization, and waste elimination.
• Track CIP metrics, validate results, and scale improvements across operations.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with Technical Product Manager on process validation and new product introduction.
• Support Operations with training, quality alerts, and continuous coaching.
• Partner with Procurement, Supply Chain, and Technical leadership on material and specification alignment.

Qualifications Education & Experience Required

• Bachelor’s in Engineering, Quality, or related field.
• 7-10+ years in quality leadership within manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of auditing, QMS systems, ISO, SPC, and root-cause analysis.
• Experience leading teams and cross-functional programs.
• SAP (ERP System) knowledge can be a plus.

Supervisory Responsibility This role will have direct reports.