Associate Director of Quality

About the Role

This is a critical quality leadership role supporting nVent’s Minnesota operations, with ownership of quality for the Anoka and Dayton sites and coordination with the Blaine facility through a key customer partnership. You’ll lead and influence a 70+-person quality organization, serving as the primary quality liaison to manage complex compliance requirements, maintain senior-level customer engagement, and ensure quality systems scale alongside the business. This role serves as a gatekeeper for growth, leading the build-out of a robust quality and supplier quality organization across MN locations to support the expanding Data Solutions and Hoffman Enclosures footprint.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary leader for supplier quality strategy.
• Audit supplier processes and resolve quality issues (NCRs/CAPAs).
• Collaborate with engineering teams during New Product Introduction (NPI) to ensure suppliers meet build specifications.
• Direct the receiving inspection and incoming quality control (IQC) operations for all critically important components, implementing a risk-based verification strategy to reduce non-conforming material escapes while optimizing dock-to-stock cycle times.
• Act as the principal customer and executive liaison, bridging the gap between high-level customer expectations and supplier execution.
• Lead the development and alignment of a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Act as the Quality Project Leader and a structured problem-solving SME, using advanced methods to resolve critical supplier bottlenecks and technical issues.
• Manage Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Processes (PPAP) in global sourcing efforts to ensure quality is effectively integrated during new product introductions (NPI).
• Drive large-scale continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean Six Sigma) to optimize both internal plant efficiency and external supplier yield.
• Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of quality professionals, encouraging a culture of accountability, technical mastery, and career growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree required; Master’s degree or MBA or equivalent experience preferred to support strategic business alignment.
• Professional certifications such as ASQ-CQM/OE (Quality Manager/Organizational Excellence), CQE, or CQA are highly valued.
• 10+ years in manufacturing quality systems, with a proven track record of managing complex global supply bases.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience, specifically managing multi-site quality functions or large-scale supplier quality organizations.
• Deep expertise in Lean principles (5S, Kaizen, VSM) and proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC) applied to supplier monitoring.
• Advanced knowledge of ISO Management systems and enterprise quality software (e.g., Intelex, Trackwise).
• The ability to translate complex quality data into actionable business intelligence for executive partners.

About the Company

nVent is a leading global provider of electrical connection and protection solutions. We design, manufacture, market, install, and service high-performance products and solutions that connect and protect some of the world's most sensitive equipment, buildings, and critical processes. Our robust portfolio includes industry-leading brands recognized globally for quality, reliability, and innovation, such as nVent CADDY, ERICO, HOFFMAN, ILSCO, SCHROFF, and TRACHTE.

Our principal office is in London, and our management office in the United States is in Minneapolis. We offer a dynamic global reach with diverse operations that provide plentiful career opportunities and allow you to make an impact every day.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans along with flexible spending accounts.
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits, critical illness, accident insurance, and life insurance.
• A 401(k) retirement plan and an employee stock purchase plan, both including a company match.
• Tuition reimbursement, caregiver, personal and parental leave, back-up care services, paid time off including volunteer time, and a well-being program.
• Legal and identity theft protection.

Pay

Compensation Range: $146,300.00 - $271,700.00. Depending on the position offered, employee may be eligible for other forms of compensation, such as annual incentives.