Director of Manufacturing Process & Quality Control

Rpiprint; Town of Gates (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider of digital print services is seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Manufacturing Process & Quality Control. You will lead operations across North American digital printing facilities, ensuring excellence in manufacturing and product quality while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 5 years in digital printing or a related industry.
• Strong leadership in process engineering and quality control.
• Experience with ISO standards, lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Manufacturing Engineers to implement, audit, and refine manufacturing processes.
• Implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste.
• Establish and maintain rigorous quality control standards.

Skills

Leadership

Process Engineering

Quality Control

Lean Manufacturing

Digital Printing Technologies

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

ERP Systems

MES Systems

Job description

Director of Manufacturing Process & Quality Control
Based in Rochester, NY preferred; Seattle, WA or Atlanta, GA considered

Position Summary

RPI Print is a leading provider of digital print services, powering creative solutions for high-quality brands. We are seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Manufacturing Process & Quality Control to lead and continuously improve operations across our three North American digital printing facilities. While the role is ideally based in Rochester, NY, candidates located near one of our production sites in Seattle, Atlanta, or Rochester will be considered.Reporting to the SVP of Global Manufacturing, this role is responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring product quality, implementing lean manufacturing principles, and executing Just-in-Time (JIT) production strategies.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in digital print manufacturing with strong leadership, process engineering, and quality systems experience-and thrives in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment. This position requires up to 40% travel to our production sites.

The Director will also collaborate closely with our growing technology team to apply AI/ML-based techniques for process optimization, helping to shape and implement data-driven solutions that enhance efficiency and scalability.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Leadership:

• Lead and mentor a team of Manufacturing Engineers across our three North American operations to implement, audit, and refine manufacturing processes.
• Develop and implement manufacturing strategies that drive efficiency, throughput, and cost effectiveness.
• Partner with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to scale production capabilities in line with demand and business growth objectives.

Process Optimization:

• Analyze and refine digital print workflows, color management systems and finishing operations processes.
• Implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and increase productivity.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and automation solutions to drive innovation and efficiency.

Quality Assurance & Control:

• Establish and maintain rigorous quality control standards and inspection protocols.
• Lead root cause analysis and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions) initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, industry standards, and internal quality benchmarks.

Continuous Improvement:

• Lead and mentor cross-functional continuous improvement teams focused on operational excellence.
• Drive initiatives that enhance process reliability, reduce variability, and improve customer satisfaction.
• Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.

Just-in-Time (JIT) Manufacturing:

• Implement and manage JIT manufacturing strategies to meet tight production schedules and reduce inventory costs.
• Coordinate closely with supply chain, procurement, and logistics teams to ensure timely material availability.
• Optimize workflows to maintain high output quality and responsiveness to customer demands.

Team Development:

• Recruit, train, and mentor manufacturing and quality control staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Reporting & Compliance:
• Monitor KPIs and generate reports on production performance, quality metrics, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Regular travel is required to support initiatives across our multiple production locations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 5 years in digital printing or a related industry.
• Proven leadership in process engineering, quality control, and managing multi-site teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading continuous improvement initiatives and teams.
• Strong experience with Just-in-Time manufacturing and managing production under tight timelines.
• Strong knowledge of digital printing technologies (e.g., inkjet, electrophotographic).
• Experience with ISO standards, lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma (certification a plus).
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
  

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with ERP and MES systems.
• Familiarity with ICC profiling and color calibration workflows.
• Knowledge of sustainable manufacturing practices and standards.
  
• Excitement about working cross-functionally with a growing, cutting-edge technology team to implement, measure, and continuously improve AI/ML-driven applications in manufacturing process optimization.

About Us:

RPI Print, headquartered in Seattle, WA, is dedicated to making brands successful through personalized print solutions. With facilities and partners worldwide, RPI offers end-to-end integrated supply chain services for digital printing on demand. Our commitment goes beyond printing; we prioritize building lasting relationships with our customers.

If you believe you're a good fit for this role and share our passion for excellence, we'd love to hear from you!