Director, Quality & CI (US Flex)

This position provides strategic and hands-on leadership to strengthen continuous improvement (CI) capability and accelerate business performance within a specific Division. The role includes oversight of the Quality Management System, development and enforcement of quality procedures, policies, and standards, and accountability for quality metrics and cost savings goals across assigned sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide thought leadership, coaching, and mentoring for the application of CI as a system for solving problems, managing processes, and developing people.
• Lead the ongoing development of CI fundamentals and problem-solving capability to strengthen operational effectiveness and sustainable performance improvement.
• Identify and apply best practices, operating standards, and metrics.
• Lead and support problem-solving and improvement initiatives aligned with strategic business priorities across cross-functional value streams.
• Support learning and development processes, including training and ongoing coaching for CI and systems thinking.
• Support strategy development and deployment.
• Train and mentor key personnel on continuous improvement principles.
• Deploy Managing for Daily Improvement (MDI) as the lean management system across the company.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with operations and business leaders at all levels.
• Facilitate the identification, prioritization, preparation, execution, and follow-up of CI initiatives across Business Unit sites.
• Support the development and maintenance of each site’s CI and QA Plan.
• Ensure compliance with the Integrated Management System (ISO, GFSI, GMP).
• Work with Operations to ensure adherence to manufacturing and Quality Assurance procedures through documented process monitoring and controls.
• Ensure all quality personnel are trained to perform their respective job functions.
• Represent the company to new and existing customers.
• Oversee external audits and manage the customer complaint and reject process, including root cause analysis, timely response, and corrective actions.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 10+ years of business experience with significant hands-on experience as a lean practitioner and with quality management systems.
• Bachelor’s degree or above in a related discipline from a four-year university.
• Certification in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma required.
• Experience managing manufacturing operations is a strong plus.
• Multiple site experience required.
• Demonstrated excellent people leadership and team-building skills.
• Proven success in driving organizational change, consensus-building, and influencing all levels of an organization.
• Excellent English language fluency; additional language capabilities are a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Visio, and Outlook.
• Prior audit experience and knowledge of ISO 9001, GMP, and GFSI required.
• Experience with fully integrated management systems, including food safety, regulatory, and quality management systems.

Skills

• Builds Customer Allegiance
• Leverages Business Acumen
• Communicates Openly
• Embraces Continuous Improvement
• Drives Growth
• Drives Continuous Learning
• Develops People Including Self
• Builds Organizational Relationships
• Change Management
• Strong Data Management
• Confidentiality
• Time Management

Work Environment

Work primarily in a climate-controlled indoor office environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential. Some exposure to a manufacturing environment may occur, including non-toxic/nuisance smells, airborne dust, moving mechanical parts, high noise levels, and hot/humid conditions during summer months. Required personal protective equipment includes hearing protection, safety shoes, and vision protection.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands/fingers to type, hold, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Schedule

Expected travel by car or plane with some overnight stays, estimated at 25-50% in a typical month.