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Quality Management Jobs in Rochester, MN (NOW HIRING)

What You Can Expect This is an onsite role at our site in Norfolk, Virginia Site Quality leader and Management Representative responsible for directing the quality function a medical device design ...

Strong understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and quality management systems such as ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000. * Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, internet, or cloud ...

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Quality Management information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$39.1K

$92.5K

$140.8K

How much do quality management jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for quality management in Rochester, MN is $92,549.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,700.00 and $111,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Quality Management, and why are they important?

A successful Quality Management professional needs a solid understanding of quality assurance principles, process improvement methodologies, and relevant industry standards, often supported by a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with tools like Six Sigma, ISO 9001 standards, and statistical analysis software is typically required, along with certifications such as CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills are vital for collaborating across departments and driving quality initiatives. These skills ensure that organizations consistently meet regulatory requirements, improve processes, and deliver high-quality products or services.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Quality Management roles, and how can they be addressed?

Quality Management professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing compliance with continuous improvement, navigating resistance to change, and ensuring cross-departmental collaboration. Addressing these challenges typically involves strong communication skills, a clear understanding of regulatory standards, and the ability to foster a culture of quality throughout the organization. Regular training, proactive stakeholder engagement, and leveraging quality management tools can help overcome these obstacles and drive successful quality initiatives.

What is the difference between Quality Management vs Quality Assurance?

AspectQuality ManagementQuality Assurance
FocusOverall quality policies, processes, and continuous improvementPreventive measures to ensure quality standards are met
ResponsibilitiesDeveloping quality strategies, overseeing implementationAuditing, process checks, compliance verification
CertificationsISO 9001, Six Sigma often relevantISO 9001, Six Sigma, TQM certifications common
Work EnvironmentCross-departmental, strategic planningOperational, process-focused

While both roles aim to improve product and service quality, Quality Management involves strategic oversight and continuous improvement, whereas Quality Assurance focuses on preventing defects through process checks and compliance. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign clear responsibilities for quality initiatives.

What is quality management?

Quality management refers to the processes and procedures put in place to ensure that an organization's products or services consistently meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements. It involves planning, controlling, assuring, and improving quality at every stage of production or service delivery. Quality management often includes methodologies such as Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma, and ISO standards, aiming to reduce errors, increase efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. Effective quality management helps organizations build trust with customers and gain a competitive advantage.
What are the most commonly searched types of Quality Management jobs in Rochester, MN? The most popular types of Quality Management jobs in Rochester, MN are:
What job categories do people searching Quality Management jobs in Rochester, MN look for? The top searched job categories for Quality Management jobs in Rochester, MN are:
What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Quality Management jobs? Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Quality Management job openings:
Infographic showing various Quality Management job openings in Rochester, MN as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,549 per year, or $44.5 per hour.
Sr. Quality Program Manager, Customer Defect Tracking & Resolution

Sr. Quality Program Manager, Customer Defect Tracking & Resolution

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Rochester, MN

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Thermo Fisher Scientific rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 415 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

196th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

Work Schedule

Standard Office Hours (40/wk)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Office

Job Description

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. As part of our team, you’ll help enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.

The Sr. Quality Program Manager, Customer Defect Tracking & Resolution will lead the global intake, triage, tracking, escalation, and communication of customer-reported defects and quality issues. This role is responsible for ensuring a robust, compliant, and scalable process aligned with Thermo Fisher’s Quality Management System (QMS), applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, ISO), and customer expectations.

The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise in quality or manufacturing engineering, combined with leadership capabilities to drive cross-functional collaboration, timely issue resolution, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Quality & Compliance Leadership

  • Ensure all customer defect tracking and resolution activities comply with Thermo Fisher’s QMS, including alignment with CAPA, complaint handling, and escalation processes.
  • Maintain compliance with applicable global regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 820/210/211, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, as applicable).
  • Support audit readiness and participate in internal and external audits related to customer complaints and defect management.

Customer Issue Intake & Case Management

  • Lead the daily intake and documentation of customer-reported defects across multiple channels.
  • Ensure accurate and complete case creation, including assignment of unique identifiers and proper documentation within approved systems.
  • Establish and maintain standardized severity classification criteria to assess risk and customer impact.

Triage, Escalation & Prioritization

  • Evaluate and triage incoming issues to determine appropriate escalation pathways and urgency.
  • Assign severity levels and prioritize cases based on product risk, regulatory impact, and customer criticality.
  • Drive immediate response and visibility for high-severity or critical escalations.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Ownership

  • Assign case ownership to appropriate functions (e.g., Quality, Manufacturing, R&D, Supply Chain, Customer Support).
  • Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure timely investigation, root cause analysis, and resolution.
  • Track progress, ensure accountability, and proactively remove barriers to resolution.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as the central point of coordination for customer defect communications.
  • Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely communication across internal stakeholders and customer-facing teams.
  • Consolidate communications for similar or recurring issues to maintain alignment and clarity.
  • Provide regular status updates to leadership and stakeholders on open and critical cases.

Data Analytics & Continuous Improvement

  • Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including response time, resolution time, backlog, and recurrence trends.
  • Analyze defect data to identify systemic issues and drive preventive actions.
  • Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
  • Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and customer experience.

Minimum Qualifications (Basic Requirements)

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Quality, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or related discipline).
  • 7+ years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Demonstrated experience managing customer complaints, defect tracking systems, or escalation processes within a regulated environment.
  • Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS), including CAPA, root cause analysis (RCA), and risk management tools (e.g., FMEA).
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in life sciences, medical devices, diagnostics, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
  • Familiarity with complaint handling and regulatory reporting requirements (e.g., MDR, vigilance reporting).
  • Experience with case management or defect tracking systems (e.g., Salesforce, ServiceNow, TrackWise, Jira).
  • Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) or equivalent continuous improvement training.
  • Experience supporting regulatory inspections and audits.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to assess risk and make sound decisions under pressure.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-impact issues simultaneously.
  • Demonstrated leadership and influencing skills in a matrixed organization.
  • Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
  • May require occasional travel (up to 20%).

Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.

As one team of 100,000+ colleagues, we share a common set of values – Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement – working together to accelerate research, solve complex scientific challenges, drive technological innovation, and support patients in need.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in New York is $118,100.00–$177,200.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

  • A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

  • Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

  • At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

  • Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

  • Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards


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