Director, Quality

Responsibilities

• Maintain ISO (9001; 14001; 18001) certifications and other certifications relevant to the business, like UL, MID and ATEX.
• Gain any new certifications driven by business needs (e.g. ISO 45000).
• Provide Quality system leadership to ensure internal policies, customer expectations and (local) regulatory requirements are met or exceeded.
• Contribute to implementation of relevant DFS processes/systems/tools into North America facilities to promote continuous improvement and to maintain and/or improve operational and financial performance.
• Develop and implement robust Built-In-Quality processes to minimize or eliminate operator dependency.
• Leads all In-Process Quality activities to improve internal quality metrics, such as First Pass Yield, Capability Indices, and Rejection Rates.
• Train employees to ensure proper Quality practices and awareness and to maintain or develop required competence levels.
• Define/implement/track relevant Quality KPIs and set/drive targets that are aligned with DFS operations and business strategy.
• Leads Customer Complaint and Warranty handling process for North America region; drive problem-solving and root cause analysis to avoid non-conformance reoccurrence and to improve internal and external levels of quality.
• Partner with Services team to collect and organize data to support the problem-solving process.
• Participates in NPI and Engineering change processes to enable stable supply chain, production operations, minimize warranty costs and drive customer satisfaction.
• Define and implement Quality Plans for relevant product ranges (including: Machine safety guards, Safe practices, PPE-needs, Supplier inspections; Incoming Goods Inspection; In-process testing and final testing) at the different facilities.
• Develop and implement effective Supplier Quality Programs to improve performance and minimize disruptions to manufacturing facility.
• Initiate, track and drive continuous improvement programs: Kaizens/GEMBA walks Manufacturing Supplier base (direct responsibility for local suppliers and work with Global Supply Chain Quality team for global key supplier accounts)
• Lead the Austin Quality team.
• Manage the Quality Council and all Quality systems for North America.

  Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related discipline strongly preferred, or comparable combination of education and experience is required.
  • MBA preferred.
  • ASQ certification preferred.
  • Great understanding and practical use of Six Sigma Tools.
  • The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of professional Quality Leadership experience at a Managerial level where Best-In-Class Quality Management Systems (e.g. ISO standards) are utilized.
  • Strong hands-on problem-solving knowledge (e.g. A3, 5-why, Ishikawa, Pareto, etc.) and ability to take the lead to get complex technical/process/tool issues resolved.
  • Technical affinity with mechanics/hydraulics and/or electronic/software.
  • Must be proactive and strategic problem solver and influencer to ensure issues are raised, addressed, and driven to closure in a timely manner.
  • Understand the impact of the experiences that effectively use continuous improvement skills and tools to prioritize and drive projects and improvements/standardization to improve Quality service levels, reduce costs, and align with strategic objectives.
  • Engage with key stakeholders to define strategy and future requirements for the Quality Management System.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and insight into qualification and validation activities and the ability to partner effectively with Engineering and Operations teams in completing these tasks.
  • Closely partner with the Engineering organization to drive robust design transfer and long-term new product introduction success.
  • Excellent leadership verbal/written communication, public speaking and presentation skills.
  • Demonstration of the mastery of influencing skills.
  • Organization, time management, and prioritization skills.
  • Eager to act as project lead to get complex field/process/tool issues resolved.
  • Ability to develop Austin and Quality team (and local Quality teams in North American region).
  • Ability to demonstrate flexibility and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
  • Influence and build strong working relationships across organizations (and geographies).
  • Strong ERP systems user/knowledge of Oracle (or similar) and all MS Office applications preferred.
  • Oversee the continuous improvement of Quality Management Systems at sites.
  • Ability to travel up to 25% (mostly domestic).
  • Ability to sit for extended periods of time (long international flights).
  • Ability to work in excess of 8 hours per day.
  • To effectively/clearly communicate.

  Qualifications

  • On site.
  • Bonus Eligible: This position is eligible to earn a discretionary bonus based on performance metrics and other criteria outlined in our applicable bonus plan.

  Benefits

  • A 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions.
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance.
  • Wellness programs.
  • Health savings account, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
  • Company paid short-term disability and long-term disability.
  • Company paid employee basic life and AD&D insurance.
  • Supplemental employee and dependent life insurance.
  • Optional accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance.
  • Adoption, surrogacy, and fertility benefits and assistance.
  • Commuter benefits.
  • Paid time off, including ;business travel services.
  • Employee discounts.
  • An employee assistance program that includes company paid counseling sessions and legal services.