Quality Auditor

Our client is seeking an experienced Quality Auditor to lead and support quality systems and

process audits across our operations in North and South America. This highly visible role is

ideal for a quality professional who can look beyond compliance, identify what is driving

risk or performance gaps, and partner with site leadership to turn audit findings into

sustainable business improvements.

The successful candidate will bring strong quality management system expertise, sound

judgment, and the ability to communicate candidly and constructively with stakeholders at

all levels. In addition to conducting audits, this role will serve as a trusted quality advisor by

coaching teams, facilitating problem solving, strengthening audit capability, and helping

our sites continuously improve the effectiveness of their Quality Management Systems.

Key Responsibilities

Audit Leadership & Assessment:

• Plan, conduct, lead, and document process and Quality Management System

audits across multiple locations in North and South America.

• Evaluate objective evidence to determine compliance with standards such as: ISO

9001, ISO 13485, VDA 6.3, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001 and other applicable

quality standards and requirements.

• Assess the effectiveness and maturity of site quality systems, identify systemic risks

and improvement opportunities, and communicate findings clearly to site and

business leadership.

• Identify problematic areas of site and quality system operations and provide

practical recommendations to achieve sustainable improvement.

• Monitor audit deviations and corrective actions, providing problem analysis, followup support, and escalation when necessary.

• Prepare for and support third-party certification, recertification, and customer

audits.

Quality Consulting & Continuous Improvement:

• Serve as a reliable, candid sounding board for quality-related ideas, strategies, risks,

and decisions.

• Translate quality standards and regulatory requirements into practical,

understandable systems and business solutions.

• Advise leadership on quality strategy, risk management, compliance, and Quality

Management System implementation and optimization.

• Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action processes, including

complex problem solving and CAPA effectiveness.

• Proactively coach and train teams on quality challenges to support improvements in

Quality KPIs and overall business performance:

• Use audit insights, KPI trends, and recurring findings to identify broader

opportunities for organizational improvement.

Standards, Compliance & Quality Culture

• Monitor compliance with global standards by validating the effectiveness of Festo’s

Quality Management System.

• Support certification and recertification activities and maintain knowledge of

evolving quality standards, auditing practices, and industry best practices.

• Develop and deliver quality systems and auditor training for new auditors and other

relevant team members.

• Coach and mentor site leadership, auditors, and quality colleagues to strengthen

organizational capability.

• Build quality awareness and promote a culture of accountability, collaboration,

learning, and continuous improvement.

• Continue to develop personal professional, technical, facilitation, and auditing

expertise.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality management, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in quality management systems, auditing, and/or quality

consulting in a manufacturing environment.

• Advanced knowledge of the preparation, execution, and documentation of process

and system audits, including ISO 19011, ISO 9001, VDA 6.3, and ISO 13485.

Experience with additional standards is beneficial.

• Strong knowledge of quality management systems, standards, certifications, and

methodologies, with demonstrated ability to translate requirements into

understandable and sustainable solutions.

• Experience working with international and intercultural production sites or

organizations.

• Advanced knowledge of process management and quality methods such as APQP,

VDA RGA, control plans, inspection plans, PDCA, SPC, and continuous

improvement methodologies.

• Strong problem-solving capability using methods such as CAPA, 8D, 5 Why, A3, and

Ishikawa, with a high level of attention to detail.

• Ability to understand specification sheets, customer requirements, technical

drawings, measurement methods, measurement system accuracy concepts such

as VDA 5 and MSA, and geometric product specifications.

• Experience analyzing Quality KPIs, trends, recurring findings, and systemic risks.

• Advanced training, facilitation, communication, and stakeholder-management

skills.

• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills.

• Fluent English. Spanish, French, Portuguese, and/or German language skills are an

advantage.

• Value-oriented, collaborative, candid, and solution-focused approach to work.

• Ability to maintain an enterprise-level perspective in a multi-project environment

while delivering sustainable, high-quality results.

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to approximately 40–50%.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field.

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

• Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) or other relevant auditor/lead auditor certification.

• Experience in automation, pneumatics, industrial technology, or a related

manufacturing sector.

• Change management and/or project management experience.

What Success Looks Like:

• Audits provide meaningful insight, not simply compliance findings.

• Site leaders understand both the requirement and the business impact of identified

gaps.

• Corrective actions address systemic root causes and demonstrate sustained

effectiveness.

• Quality systems become more consistent and effective across sites while still

supporting local operational needs.

• Leaders and teams increasingly view Quality as a trusted business partner and

resource for improvement.