Quality Management System (QMS) Consultant

Organization

Enterprise Minnesota is an ISO 9001:2015 certified consulting organization that works with small and medium sized manufacturing companies to help them compete and grow profitably. The organization also serves as the “voice” for the industry, raising visibility and appreciation for the value manufacturers provide our communities and the state’s economy. The organization’s affiliation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) further positions Enterprise Minnesota to offer clients leading-edge services to improve manufacturing operations, attract/retain employees, and grow business.

Position Profile

The Quality Management System (QMS) Consultant partners with mid-sized and smaller manufacturing clients to design, implement, and sustain practical quality management systems aligned with ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485 requirements. This role is highly client-facing and consultative, supporting organizations from initial assessment through successful certification while building client capability for long-term system ownership.

Success in this role requires strong technical knowledge of quality standards, effective facilitation and coaching skills, and the ability to translate requirements into scalable, real-world solutions that support operational performance and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

Client QMS Implementation & Certification Support

  • Assess current-state quality practices and conduct gap analyses against applicable standards.

Build

  • Deliver practical training on ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485 requirements.
  • Guide clients in designing and implementing client-fitting QMS frameworks, including policies, procedures, process maps, and records.
  • Develop and deliver internal auditor and process owner training.
  • Ensure QMS solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with manufacturing operations, minimizing unnecessary administrative burden.

Run

  • Support clients to operate the management system, apply risk-based thinking, process ownership, and management review practices.
  • Coach client personnel to build internal competency and confidence in maintaining and improving the QMS.
  • Equip clients with tools and knowledge they can apply independently after certification.

Audit

  • Prepare clients for certification, surveillance, and recertification audits.
  • Support clients during certification body audits and assist with corrective action and nonconformance closure.

Sustain

  • Support/conduct internal audits, facilitate corrective action as necessary.
  • Client Advisory & Engagement Management
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to owners, operations leaders, quality leaders, and executive teams.
  • Translate business challenges—quality performance, customer requirements, risk management, growth, and compliance—into actionable QMS solutions with clear business impact.
  • Manage client engagements including project planning, timelines, communication, and deliverables.
  • Build strong client relationships that support long-term partnerships and repeat engagements.

Internal Collaboration & Thought Leadership

  • Support business development activities including discovery, proposal development, and scoping.
  • Contribute to the development and refinement of QMS consulting methodologies, tools, templates, and intellectual capital.
  • Present Manufacturing Workshops.
  • Share insights and best practices across the consulting team.
  • Represent Enterprise Minnesota at manufacturing, quality, and industry events as appropriate.

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related field.
  • Extensive hands-on experience implementing or significantly improving business management systems, ideally within manufacturing or industrial environments.
  • Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, and/or ISO 13485 standards.
  • Experience preparing organizations for third-party certification audits.
  • Experience with risk management, corrective action, and continuous improvement practices.
  • Lead Auditor certification for ISO 9001, AS9100, and/or ISO 13485.
  • Proven ability to translate standard requirements into practical, sustainable processes.
  • Strong communication, facilitation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience working in a consultative or client-facing advisory role.
  • Ability to manage multiple client engagements effectively.
  • Familiarity with regulated manufacturing environments such as medical devices or aerospace.
  • Familiarity with continuous improvement is a plus.

Working Conditions

This is a remote position with frequent travel to client sites. The consultant must be comfortable working in fast-paced manufacturing environments and managing multiple projects simultaneously. The consultant needs dependable transportation and should be available to work flexible hours, which may sometimes include evenings or weekends depending on client requirements.

The QMS Consultant is expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and customer service while always representing Enterprise Minnesota in a positive and professional manner.

Enterprise Minnesota is an EEO employer.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing interest/fit for the position to [email protected].