Manager, Product Quality

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a world-famous brand with offices across the globe. Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument; it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We are searching for a Manager, Product Quality to join our team in San Bernardino, CA. This role is responsible for managing daily product quality operations related to import inspection, repair, returns, and Dot Com inspection. The Manager, Product Quality will lead quality team members, monitor inspection and repair results, analyze trends, support supplier quality communication, and ensure processes are operating effectively to meet business, customer, and quality expectations.

Essential Functions:

• Manage daily operations for product quality functions, including import inspection, repair, returns, and Dot Com inspection.

• Ensure receiving inspection processes are effective, efficient, and aligned with quality standards and business requirements.

• Lead, coach, train, and develop direct reports; manage performance, timecards, evaluations, corrective actions, and staffing needs in accordance with company policies.

• Establish, maintain, and report KPI metrics related to inspection, repair, returns, supplier performance, process efficiency, and service level expectations.

• Analyze inspection results, shipment activity, product forecasts, and quality trends to identify labor needs, operational risks, and opportunities for process improvement.

• Respond to quality-related supplier inquiries and support the Quality team in identifying supplier performance concerns based on inspection results and trend data.

• Partner with Product Managers, OEMs, FMIC factories, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to align inspection criteria, evaluation methods, quality expectations, and communication of inspection results.

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes to ensure quality issues are addressed effectively and corrective actions are completed.

• Maintain and improve Quality Management System processes related to inspection and repair activities, including procedures, SOPs, work instructions, audits, and document control.

• Work with IT and internal stakeholders to support effective use, controls, and discipline within quality system tools and modules.

• Coordinate and manage inventory audits and quality-related projects to ensure key deliverables are met.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Business, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role; experience within a Quality discipline strongly preferred.

• Experience with quality systems, product inspection, receiving inspection, repair, returns, supplier quality, or product verification processes.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, train, develop, and hold team members accountable.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends, determine root cause, and drive corrective action.

• Experience developing reports, tracking KPIs, analyzing data, and communicating results to leadership and cross-functional partners.

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Excel; SAP QM or related quality system experience preferred.

• Strong communication, organization, project management, and cross-functional partnership skills.

About Fender Musical Instruments:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel®, among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com. FMIC offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and an equipment purchase program to help you get the band back together. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

Fender is required by law in certain jurisdictions to include a pay scale in the job posting for this position. “Pay scale” means the salary or hourly wage range that Fender reasonably expects to pay for this position; it is neither a promise nor a guarantee of the compensation that the successful candidate will receive. The pay scale for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that Fender considers in making compensation decisions, including, without limitation: skill set, experience, and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. If this is a remote position, the pay scale disclosed herein may be adjusted further based upon the applicable geographic differential associated with the location from which the successful candidate will work. Please note that it is not typical for a Fender employee to be at or near the top of the pay scale for their role – especially as a new hire – and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Subject to the foregoing, the current pay scale for this position is $110,000 to $120,000 per year.

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