Senior Director, Global Quality

Be yourself at Protolabs Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.  Why Protolabs? We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 
Join our team as a Senior Director, Global Quality!
This is a hybrid role based at HQ in Maple Plain, MN.
Protolabs is seeking a Senior Director of Global Quality to lead our worldwide Quality organization and champion excellence across all operations. This strategic leadership role ensures compliance with global standards, drives continuous improvement, and embeds quality into every aspect of the business. You will partner with cross-functional teams—including Operations, Sales, and Go-to-Market—to strengthen customer trust and deliver world-class quality performance.

You will:

• Lead Global Quality Strategy: Define and execute the vision for Quality, aligning with company growth objectives, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Oversee Quality Systems: Manage QMS, document control, CAPA, audit readiness, and training compliance across global sites.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Maintain certifications and adherence to ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, FDA, CE Marking, and other applicable standards.
• Drive Quality Assurance: Partner with Operations leaders to implement robust QA processes and ensure product and service excellence.
• Measure and Improve Performance: Develop and monitor KPIs for quality and compliance to drive accountability and results.
• Build and Mentor Talent: Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing global Quality team.
• Enhance Customer Engagement: Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, and Go-to-Market teams to integrate quality into customer onboarding, requirements review, and proactive risk mitigation.
• Act as Quality Liaison: Represent Protolabs in strategic customer discussions, audits, and quality initiatives.
• Champion Continuous Improvement: Partner with leaders across the organization to embed quality into operations and foster a culture of excellence.
• Manage Budgets: Oversee financial planning and resource allocation for the Quality function.
• Other Duties: Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support organizational goals.

What it takes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in Quality leadership roles within manufacturing or regulated industries.
• Extensive experience implementing and maintaining compliance with global quality and regulatory standards (ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, FDA, CE Marking, etc.).
• Proven ability to partner with Sales and customer-facing teams to define and deliver quality requirements.
• Deep understanding of Quality systems and continuous improvement practices in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with expertise in performance monitoring.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to convey complex information to all levels of the organization.
• Strong customer engagement skills with the ability to translate technical requirements into actionable plans.

Preference will be given to:

• CQM certification a plus.
• Experience leading global teams and multi-site operations.
• Proficiency in problem-solving techniques and lean manufacturing principles.
• Familiarity with additional quality standards such as ISO/TS16949 or ISO 13485.
• Exceptional presentation and leadership skills.

What's in it for you:

• We offer a competitive Total Rewards package includin