Director, Quality

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Quality leads all quality functions within the assigned automotive business unit, ensuring product and process performance meet customer and organizational requirements. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple manufacturing locations, driving customer satisfaction, launch readiness, continuous improvement, and organizational capability.

The position serves as the primary business unit quality leader, partnering cross-functionally and engaging directly with customers to ensure strong performance and compliance with automotive standards.


This position will have direct leadership of Business Unit Quality Personnel, also dotted-line responsibilities for Plant Quality Managers.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Business Unit & Multi-Plant Leadership

Lead and execute the business unit quality strategy

Align quality objectives with operational and financial goals


Oversee quality performance across multiple plants

Partner with Plant Quality Managers (dotted-line) to drive accountability and KPI improvement

Travel to sites to strengthen quality execution and leadership

Customer & Launch Quality

Serve as primary escalation point for customer quality issues

Ensure effective resolution using structured problem-solving

Partner cross-functionally to support APQP, PPAP, and new product launch readiness

Mitigate risks impacting launch quality or customer satisfaction

Compliance & Performance Management

Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements

Monitor and report key metrics (PPM, complaints, internal defects, COPQ)

Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement across the business unit

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, coach, and develop business unit quality personnel

Establish performance expectations and accountability

Build organizational capability in quality systems and core tools


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field (or equivalent experience)

10+ years of automotive quality leadership experience


Multi-plant business unit oversight experience

APQP, PPAP, and launch support background

Direct OEM or Tier 1 customer interface experience

Demonstrated success leading and developing quality teams

TRAVEL:


Travel required approximately 25–50% to support manufacturing locations, program launches, and customer engagement.


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Technical Expertise

IATF 16949, ISO 9001, CSR requirements

APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC

Six Sigma and structured problem-solving

Leadership Competencies

Strategic leadership and organizational development

Executive communication and cross-functional influence

Data-driven decision-making and risk management