Director of Quality

Optima Organizational Solutions; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima Organizational Solutions is seeking a Business Unit Quality Director to lead quality operations across multiple manufacturing facilities in the United States. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in quality leadership within manufacturing, with strong knowledge of quality systems and regulatory compliance. Key responsibilities include developing the overall quality strategy, ensuring compliance with standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Must possess a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. Willingness to travel extensively is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–15 years of quality leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of ISO standards and regulatory compliance.
• Experience leading quality in multi-site operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop quality strategy across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Lead Quality Assurance and Quality Control management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects.

Skills

Quality Leadership

Statistical Analysis

Lean Manufacturing

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field

Tools

ISO Standards

Six Sigma

APQP

FMEA

Job description

Our client, a leading U.S.-based manufacturing organization is seeking a highly strategic and results‑oriented Business Unit Quality Director to lead quality operations across multiple manufacturing facilities in the United States.

Position Summary

This executive-level role will be responsible for driving enterprise quality strategy, operational excellence, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the business unit.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience leading quality organizations within complex manufacturing environments, with a strong background in multi‑site operations, supplier quality, customer quality, quality systems, and continuous improvement methodologies. This leader will partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and executive leadership teams to ensure consistent quality performance and support long‑term business growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall quality strategy across multiple manufacturing facilities within the business unit.
• Lead all aspects of Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Supplier Quality, Customer Quality, and Quality Systems management.
• Establish standardized quality processes, metrics, and best practices across all sites to ensure consistency and operational excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving process capability, increasing customer satisfaction, and lowering cost of poor quality.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action activities for internal and external quality issues.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, industry, customer, and internal quality standards.
• Oversee internal and external audit programs, including customer audits and certification maintenance activities.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering leadership to improve manufacturing process capability, product reliability, and operational performance.
• Develop and maintain KPI dashboards related to scrap, rework, warranty, customer complaints, supplier performance, audit findings, and quality system effectiveness.
• Lead supplier quality initiatives to improve incoming material quality and supplier performance.
• Support new product introduction and product launch activities to ensure robust quality planning and validation processes.
• Provide executive leadership with regular reporting on quality performance, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop plant-level quality leaders and cross‑functional quality teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer‑focused quality excellence throughout the organization.
• Support strategic business initiatives, acquisitions, and operational expansion activities as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related technical discipline required.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive quality leadership experience within complex manufacturing environments.
• Minimum 5 years of multi‑site quality management experience at a regional, business unit, or corporate level.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems, statistical analysis, manufacturing process controls, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading quality organizations in industries such as HVAC, industrial equipment, automotive, heavy manufacturing, appliances, or other engineered products environments preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing customer quality issues, warranty reduction initiatives, supplier quality programs, and operational quality improvements.
• Strong knowledge of ISO standards, regulatory compliance requirements, and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, APQP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, CAPA, and root cause analysis tools.
• Proven ability to influence cross‑functional teams and lead organizational change within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong executive presence, communication, and leadership capabilities.
• Willingness to travel extensively to support multiple manufacturing facilities across the United States.
• Advanced English communication skills required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting large‑scale manufacturing operations with high‑volume production environments.
• Experience driving enterprise‑wide quality transformation initiatives.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems and advanced manufacturing technologies.