The Director of Quality Assurance will guide the company’s quality strategy and partner with the operations team to execute continuous improvement of quality systems and business processes. S/he will establish and deliver on a strategic quality plan that meets business objectives and customer expectations. This role will define and promote a mindset of quality throughout the company. Overall, the Director of Quality Assurance will ensure that the organization's engineering, manufacturing, and quality processes deliver exceptional products that meet all client, industry, regulatory, and government safety standards. The Director of Quality Assurance will report directly to the CEO and will supervise the Quality Department team.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervise all Quality Department personnel, conduct performance appraisals trainings, guide them in professional development, and ensure deadlines are met.
- Directly supervise a team of approximately 20 staff members across the inspection and tracking departments. Collaborate with these high performing teams to identify efficiencies and process improvements.
- Develop, maintain, and report the results of the Cost of Quality (COQ) initiatives, including required counter measures to reduce the risk of potential reoccurrence.
- Assess overall customer satisfaction and report findings to the executive management team.
- Collaborate with sales and manufacturing teams, providing support for new client proposals and meetings.
- Directly interact with customers, both prospective and existing, to communicate quality management processes and strategies.
- Act as liaison between the company and regulatory bodies, responding to audits and inquiries.
- Deliver presentations and attend executive meetings, communicating effectively on quality initiatives.
- Read and understand statements of work from customers including all specifications and requirements handed down by customers.
- Drive continuous improvement among business segment leadership, implementing corrective action and problem solving to accelerate improvements.
- Direct and mentor the entire staff on adherence to the organization's quality objectives, goals, policies, and procedures.
- Manage, plan and monitor quality activities relating to receiving, in-process and final inspection, while in accordance with internal and external customer requirements.
- Partner with Lead Inspectors to ensure that all manufacturing expectations and timelines are achieved.
- Implement guidelines for new product development to ensure proper quality assurance and control plans are implemented prior to beginning production.
- Analyze the departmental resource supply/demand and manage the staffing needs with both internal and external resources.
- Participate in corporate strategic planning with senior management team.
- Make capital equipment recommendations to maintain or improve deliverable performance and competitiveness within the market, while supporting resource demands.
- Conduct formal internal auditing processes to ensure that the product quality and safety processes will meet external audit requirements.
- Ensure adherence to the Quality departmental budgets relative to supplies, capital equipment, and repairs.
- Responsible for directing the Quality Management System through interaction with the QMS/SQA Representative.
ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS
- Strong technical mindset with the ability to identify, analyze and solve problems.
- Proven ability to exercise independent judgment, resourcefully innovate, recommend, and lead effective courses of action.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to communicate cross-functionally with team members and customers on a timely basis.
- Proven ability to successfully lead teams.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Effective problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to multi-task.
- Experience reading master blueprints, statements of work and job specifications.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering/technical field or equivalent industry experience.
- 10+ years of manufacturing, quality engineering, program management, and/or operations leadership in a job shop or aerospace environment.
- 10+ years of experience working with quality management systems, with a solid understanding of quality, process approach, and continuous improvement methods.
- Minimum of 5+ years of proven leadership capabilities, collaborating with internal teams and external customers toward continuous quality improvements.
- ISO/AS literacy
- GD&T/FT&A
