Director of Quality
About the Opportunity
Our client is a global manufacturer seeking a Director of Quality to provide strategic leadership across multiple manufacturing facilities in North America while partnering closely with international operations. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Quality Manager or Senior Quality Leader ready to step into a Director-level position.
This leader will establish quality strategy, mentor plant quality teams, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure consistent quality standards across a diverse manufacturing footprint. The ideal candidate enjoys balancing strategic leadership with a hands-on approach to solving manufacturing and customer quality challenges.
This position offers exposure to multiple manufacturing processes, products, and global operations, making it an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety and continuous learning.
Position Overview
The Director of Quality is responsible for leading quality initiatives across multiple manufacturing locations while supporting plant leadership in achieving operational excellence.
This role provides technical leadership, develops standardized quality systems, mentors local Quality Managers and Quality Leads, and partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and customers to improve quality performance throughout the organization.
Success in this role requires an individual who is highly autonomous, comfortable influencing without direct authority, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with diverse products and processes.
Key Responsibilities
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Develop and execute the organization's quality strategy across multiple manufacturing facilities.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to plant Quality Managers and quality personnel.
- Partner closely with Plant Managers to improve quality performance and drive continuous improvement.
- Maintain and improve the company's Quality Management System (QMS).
- Lead ISO certification and recertification efforts across manufacturing operations.
- Establish and maintain quality standards for incoming materials, manufacturing processes, and finished products.
- Develop inspection methods, testing procedures, and quality documentation.
- Lead customer quality investigations, complaint resolution, corrective actions, and CAPA activities.
- Support supplier quality initiatives and collaborate with strategic suppliers to improve quality performance.
- Analyze quality metrics, identify trends, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Drive root cause analysis and cross-functional problem solving.
- Support new product introductions by ensuring quality requirements are integrated throughout the product development process.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to improve manufacturing capability and process consistency.
- Ensure quality KPIs are accurately measured, reported, and communicated.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that reduce defects and improve customer satisfaction.
- Travel to domestic and international manufacturing locations to support quality initiatives and develop local teams.
Qualifications
Required
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Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline (preferred).
- Progressive quality leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading quality programs across multiple manufacturing facilities.
- Strong understanding of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
- Experience with:
- PPAP
- APQP
- SPC
- FMEA
- GR&R
- CAPA
- Strong root cause analysis and structured problem-solving experience.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships across Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
- Experience leading customer quality initiatives and resolving complex manufacturing issues.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with experience in one or more of the following manufacturing environments are especially encouraged to apply:
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Metal stamping
- Fabrication
- Injection molding
- Automated assembly
- Metal finishing or plating
- Heavy industrial manufacturing
Additional experience preferred:
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Multi-site manufacturing operations
- Global manufacturing organizations
- Supplier Quality
- Metrology
- Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma
- Lead ISO Auditor certification
Travel
This position includes travel to support manufacturing operations and quality initiatives.
Typical travel includes:
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Regular travel to manufacturing facilities throughout the United States
- Occasional international travel to manufacturing operations and suppliers
- Approximately one to two international trips annually
The Ideal Candidate
We're looking for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves and solving problems while also thinking strategically.
The successful candidate will be:
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Self-motivated and highly autonomous
- Comfortable leading through influence rather than direct authority
- Adaptable and excited by diverse manufacturing environments
- Equally comfortable on the production floor, in customer meetings, and presenting to executive leadership
- Passionate about developing people and building strong quality organizations
- Driven to continuously improve processes while maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction
