Quality Management Systems Lead

Quality Management Systems Lead

The Quality Management Systems Lead is responsible for driving compliance with ISO 9001 requirements and driving excellence and optimization in quality systems across the organization.

This role oversees all activities related to maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS), including internal audits, management reviews, corrective actions, and certification readiness. In addition, the position leads efforts to optimize business processes, reduce the cost of poor quality (COPQ), and deliver actionable business insights through advanced analytics and reporting. The Quality Management Systems Lead partners with cross-functional teams to align quality objectives with organizational goals and regulatory standards.

Analytical & Problem Solving

Apply structured thinking and data-driven analysis to optimize systems and processes.

Leadership & Collaboration

Inspires teams, fosters accountability, and builds strong cross-functional relationships.

Strategic & Business Acumen

Aligns quality systems with organizational goals and cost-effectiveness.

Communication

Clearly conveys insights and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels.

Project & Task Management

Demonstrates strong organizational and planning skills to manage process improvements. Ensures timely execution, resource coordination, and effective communication across stakeholders to achieve compliance and closure.

What do we want to know about you?

Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, or related field; 5+ years of experience in quality systems management.

Proven expertise in ISO 9001 implementation and certification processes.

Strong knowledge of QMS principles, internal auditing, and corrective action management.

Experience in business process governance, cost analysis and working capital improvements related to quality.

Proficiency in data analytics and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar).

Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification

ASQ Certification (CQA, CMQ / OE) or equivalent.

Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt or higher.

Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and leveraging analytics tools such as Power BI or AI-driven platforms to support data-informed quality decisions.

Familiarity with digital quality tools, automation, and data visualization platforms.

Experience in transportation, industrial, or safety-critical sectors.

What will your typical day look like?

QMS Ownership & Compliance

Maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and other applicable standards (e.g FMVSS, customer-specific requirements, regulatory).

Ensure alignment with corporate-level (Transit) processes by assessing local procedures, identifying gaps, and tracking compliance activities to maintain consistency across the organization.

Business Process Governance & Optimization

Collaborate with functional leaders to document, control, and align processes with QMS requirements.

Drive cross-functional initiatives to optimize business processes for efficiency, quality, and compliance across the organization.

Quality Information Systems & Digital Transformation

Lead projects to deploy and optimize quality-related software platforms (e.g., QMS software, document control systems, process management approvals and workflow). Ensure integration with existing business systems and alignment with organizational needs.

Identify and execute opportunities for automation and digital transformation of quality processes using advanced tools (e.g., workflow automation, AI-driven analytics). Drive adoption and change management across the organization.

Supplier Quality Collaboration

Partner with Transit Supplier Quality Engineering teams to ensure timely resolution of supplier complaints and corrective actions and ensure site compliance with established corporate procedures.

Act as site liaison and assist in monitoring supplier performance metrics and escalating systemic issues.

Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) Management

Develop and implement strategies to measure, monitor, and reduce COPQ across operations and supply chain.

Data Analytics & Insights

Utilize advanced analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, AI-driven platforms) to provide actionable insights into quality performance, trends, and risks.

Present findings to senior leadership to support data-driven decision-making.

Training & Development

Design and deliver training programs on ISO 9001 requirements, QMS processes, auditing best practices, and quality tools to build organizational competencies.

Project & Task Management

Plan, prioritize, and coordinate corrective actions resulting from internal audits, ensuring timely closure and compliance with QMS requirements.

Act as project manager for quality system initiatives, including planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Deliver projects on time and within budget.

What about the physical demands of the job?

The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Lift up to 35 pounds.

They will be standing 100%

Hearing 100%

Pushing up to 30 pounds

Stooping / bending 20% of the time

Reaching 20%

Walking 25%

Seeing 100%

You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.

Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).

The salary range for this role is between $77,400.00-$110,300.00. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as : training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include an annual bonus, if eligible.

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight and transit rail as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation, and Faiveley Transport, the company has grown to become One Wabtec, with unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems.

Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress and unlocks our customers' potential by delivering innovative and lasting transportation solutions that move and improve the world. We are lifelong learners obsessed with making things better to drive exceptional results. Wabtec has approximately 27K employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit our website to learn more.

Our Commitment to Embrace Diversity :

Wabtec is a global company that invests not just in our products, but also our people by embracing diversity and inclusion. We care about our relationships with our employees and take pride in celebrating the variety of experiences, expertise, and backgrounds that bring us together. At Wabtec, we aspire to create a place where we all belong and where diversity is welcomed and appreciated.

To fulfill that commitment, we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity, and inclusion. We aim to employ the world's brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We have created a space where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute based on their individual experiences and perspectives and recognize that these differences and diverse perspectives make us better.

We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences, and styles People like you! Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.