Jess Teasdale, a seasoned QMS expert and certified lead auditor, shares valuable insights on building an effective quality management system. She emphasizes that quality management goes beyond audits; it’s about cultivating a robust company culture. Jess discusses the importance of leadership buy-in, defining key processes, and using tools like ProShop ERP to streamline operations. She clarifies certifications such as AS9100 and ISO 13485 as essential for growth in regulated industries, transforming the approach to quality into a daily operational standard.
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insights INSIGHT
Certification's Role in Excellence
Pursuing certification is often essential for machine shops aiming to be world-class.
Certified firms demonstrate consistent quality, improving profitability and customer trust.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Building a Quality Culture
Implement a QMS by defining key processes, assigning KPIs, and involving top management.
Build a quality culture where everyone aligns with continuous improvement.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
First Steps in QMS Implementation
Start your QMS journey by selecting a certification body and appointing responsible leaders.
Design your quality manual aligned with your business and engage a cross-functional team.
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If you think quality management is just about passing audits, think again.
In this episode of MakingChips, we’re joined by Jess Teasdale—a true QMS expert and certified lead auditor in both AS9100 and ISO 13485—to break down what it really takes to build a world-class quality system. Whether you're running a two-person job shop or leading a growing operation aiming for medical or aerospace work, we consider this your QMS MBA.
We dig into the purpose, process, and power of implementing a robust quality management system—from selecting the right registrar to defining your key processes and KPIs. Jess also shares why culture matters more than checklists, how leadership buy-in can make or break your success, and how tools like ProShop ERP can make audit day feel like just another Tuesday.
This isn’t just about earning a certificate. It’s about building a business where quality is baked into how you operate—every single day. If you're trying to compete in regulated industries—or simply want to stop cleaning up preventable mistakes—this episode is your blueprint.
Segments
(0:00) “He’s a real quality guy”: Dad jokes and introductions
(1:12) Every day is audit day: Building a quality culture vs. chasing audits
(4:24) Jess’s background—from job shop QC to Raytheon to ProShop
(9:27) What it takes to get certified as a lead auditor
(11:03) Key differences between ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485
(12:27) Why regulated industry certifications are “table stakes” for growth
(14:05) How certification shapes customer perception—and shop success
(16:21) What a QMS really is (and why it’s not just a binder)
(17:42) The challenge of cultural adoption—from shop floor to CEO
(22:30) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA
(23:05) The first steps: quality manual, key processes, and KPIs
(26:18) Cross-functional teams vs. solo efforts—what works best
(28:08) How grants and workforce programs can help fund your QMS journey
(31:03) Lessons from a painful audit—and how ProShop changed everything
(35:00) Choosing the right certification body (registrar)
(39:35) Stage 1 vs. Stage 2 audits—what to expect
(41:53) Nonconformances: OFIs, minors, majors, and 8Ds explained
(45:47) Wrap-up and preview of Part 2: How to build a great QMS
Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders