Director, Quality

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Quality is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining an organization-wide quality strategy, ensuring alignment with operations and customer requirements. The role focuses on promoting continuous improvement, enhancing quality, and improving the overall organizational culture. This leader will use diagnostic, predictive, and continuous improvement tools and techniques to assess quality, track performance, and drive improvements. The Director of Quality will also provide leadership and training to managers and staff, fostering a culture of high standards and customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual has strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills. You possess an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Production, Supplier Management, and Quality. As the Director of Quality, you will represent the company’s brand and drive strategies to increase Customer Satisfaction while improving Internal Efficiency and Accountability.

Essential Functions:

1. Quality Strategy Development: Establish, implement, and maintain quality practices in line with operations and customer requirements. Develop and execute a comprehensive quality of service strategy.
2. Diagnostic & Continuous Improvement Tools: Promote and utilize diagnostic and predictive quality tools, such as SPC, statistical analysis, Lean, and Six Sigma, to drive continuous improvement in quality of service.
3. Audits & Process Improvement: Perform quality system and process audits, including reporting results, recommending improvements, and driving root cause analysis and corrective action.
4. Corrective/Preventive Actions: Establish robust corrective/preventive action systems to improve operational performance related to customer requirements, including metrics like scrap, rework, and cost of poor quality.
5. Quality Metrics Tracking: Track and report site internal and external quality metrics, ensuring transparency and actionability for stakeholders.
6. FMEA Development: Assist in the development of Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) for manufacturing processes and new product introductions.
7. Continuous Improvement & Kaizen: Implement continuous improvement practices, including organizing and leading kaizen events focused on quality and manufacturing processes.
8. External Audits: Manage external quality system audits conducted by third-party auditors and customers, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
9. QMS Training: Lead the Quality Management System (QMS) training process, ensuring compliance with corporate Quality Assurance & Regulatory Assurance standards.
10. Team Development: Develop talent within the QA function by focusing on engagement and professional development, fostering a high-performance culture.
11. Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with other top management personnel to align quality initiatives with organizational goals and customer needs.
12. Customer & Employee Feedback Analysis: Analyze customer and employee feedback to enhance the quality of service strategy, adjusting programs accordingly.
13. Policy Enforcement: Serve as the organization’s subject matter expert on quality procedures, addressing concerns and administering feedback or disciplinary action as needed.
14. Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competencies: knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Proven experience leading and developing a site-level Quality Management System (QMS) based on AS9100 or IRIS Certification.
2. In-depth knowledge of Supplier Quality Systems and processes.
3. Expertise in Root Cause Countermeasure Problem Solving (7-Step/8D Problem Solving).
4. Practical knowledge and experience in Lean Manufacturing methods (Kaizen, A3 problem solving, FMEA) and process flow development.
5. Ability to manage scope changes in a high-mix, high-volume production environment.
6. Demonstrated leadership in implementing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
7. Strong customer-centric focus with the ability to build strong interdepartmental relationships.
8. Organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
9. Experience in Organizational Change Management.

Education/Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field;
2. 5+ years of experience leading a site-level quality organization with teams of 5+ direct reports.
3. Experience within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Automotive, Rail or Aerospace Equipment Supplier preferred.
4. Practical experience in with AS9100 or IRIS standards.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

1. Regularly required to walk, sit, bend, twist, stand, and reach in a normal office environment.
2. Occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds.
3. Ability to perform work on a computer for extended periods.
4. Vision abilities required: close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.