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Quality Manager

Coherent · Starkville, MS

Apply on Coherent ↗
Level
Manager
Team
Quality
Travel
10%
Experience asked
7+ years
Certification
Black Belt preferred
Industry
Industrial
Posted
2 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management quality role at Coherent (industrial) in Starkville, MS. A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome.

They ask for
7+ years · Black Belt preferred
Tools it names
Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Root cause, SPC, FMEA
Day to day
about 10% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Quality Engineer roles in Mississippi: typical posted base $76k–$105k.

Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 10 quality engineer openings in Mississippi, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Mississippi plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 9 other live quality postings in Mississippi.

Experience asked
More than usual (7+ vs 3+)

Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Root cause 60%
  • ✓ ISO 9001 60%
  • ✓ Lean 50%
  • AS9100 50%
  • ✓ SPC 40%
  • Team leadership 40%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 7+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Promotion path mentioned

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Coherent

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
    • How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
    • The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
    • The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Maintaining an effective quality system, developing and implementing quality control plans and procedures
  • ◆Maintaining RMA system with a focus on determining roots cause of returns and speed of execution on implementing solutions
  • ◆Performing and responding to quality audits and facilitate corrective action and process improvements based upon the audit results with active between quality and production teams
  • ◆Product quality evaluation to ensure compliance of shipped products to customer and internal

requirements

  • ✓Maintaining Incoming Inspection function in MS and provide timely reports
  • ✓Responsible for calibration programs in MS
  • ✓Controlling nonconforming material in MS
  • ✓Assisting production and engineering personnel to ensure delivery of quality products.
  • ✓Supporting corporate-wide quality initiatives and projects and the application of quality tools and methods, such as FMEA and SPC
  • ✓Championing continuous improvement programs and initiatives
  • ✓Plan, promote, and organize training of manufacturing team on all aspects of the quality system
  • ✓Interface with customers, suppliers, and third party auditors on a variety of topics
  • ✓Reporting to top management on the performance of the QMS in MS site and any need for improvement as required.
  • ✓Education & Experience
  • ✓Minimum 7+ yrs. experience in Quality Engineering or similar job functions.
  • ✓3-5 years of experience in Semiconductor or Manufacturing.
  • ✓BS in mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, material science, engineering, or equivalent.
  • ✓ASQ certified quality engineer or Six Sigma Black belt certification is desirable.
  • ✓Skills
  • ✓Problem solving. Able to find and remove root cause for individual and complex quality problems.
  • ✓Understanding of, and ability to develop quality systems (process and procedures for auditing, corrective and preventive actions, etc...).
  • ✓Sound judgment in selecting appropriate methods and techniques to address complex problems and finding solutions.
  • ✓Experience in SPC, Six Sigma, Lean, and TQM techniques. CQE preferred.
  • ✓Auditing knowledge including ISO 9001 & ISO 14001. CQA preferred.
  • ✓Strong computer skills and written and verbal communication skills.
  • ✓Travel 5-10% of the time within the United States.
  • ✓Due to ITAR compliance, this position requires candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident Alien, or Protected Individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)
  • ✓Working Conditions
  • ✓Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • ✓Occasional hands-on work in a cleanroom
  • ✓Physical

Requirements

  • ✓Ability to work at computer
  • ✓Safety

Requirements

  • ✓All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and II-VI Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.
  • ✓Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.
  • ✓Quality and Environmental

Responsibilities

  • ◆Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and

responsibilities

within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

  • ◆Culture Commitment
  • ◆Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
  • ◆I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
  • ◆C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
  • ◆A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
  • ◆R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
  • ◆E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
  • ◆If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com .

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

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