Senior Manager, Quality Systems & Operational Excellence

Avient Corporation; Avon Lake (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Avient Corporation in North America seeks a Sr. Manager, Corporate Quality to lead the strategic direction of the Quality Management System across sites and functions.

You will embed Lean Six Sigma and Operational Excellence into quality processes to deliver measurable business results and ensure compliance with international standards. As a senior liaison, you will drive standardization, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement, partnering with Corporate Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in Manufacturing Quality and/or Operational Excellence.
• Minimum 7 years in Quality Systems or enterprise quality leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience in ISO-based Quality Management Systems.
• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma methodologies in operational and quality environments.
• Proven success leading cross-functional, enterprise-scale improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing and coaching leaders and indirect teams.

Responsibilities

• Owns and governs the North America Quality Management System, including policies, procedures, documentation, and process architecture.
• Ensures quality system effectiveness, consistency, and alignment with corporate standards and business strategy.
• Acts as senior Quality Systems subject-matter expert and escalation point for system compliance and performance issues.
• Maintains as signature authority, Quality Agreements, Specifications, PPAP/PSW and Change Notification agreements for all EM North America locations.
• Maintains third-party quality certifications and accreditations, including ISO 9001, ISO 13485, NSF, UL.
• Develops and maintains the Plant level Internal Calibration, Audit Plan and Internal Audits.
• Serves as senior management representative for external audits, certification bodies, and customer assessments/surveys
• Ensures timely, sustainable corrective actions for audit findings and systemic nonconformances.
• Provides leadership for enterprise-wide Quality Systems to ensure rigor, consistency, and measurable outcomes.
• Partners with Operational Excellence and Manufacturing leaders to select and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Drives KPI development, tracking, trending, and management review to support data-driven decision making.
• Leads and sponsors complex, cross-functional improvement initiatives with significant quality, cost, and risk impact.
• Manage statistical evaluations of incoming raw materials and outgoing products, in accordance with established procedures.
• Serves as North America liaison to Corporate Quality, Quality Council, and Operational Excellence governance forums.
• Facilitates communication, translation, and incorporation of best practices across plants, business units, and regions.
• Collaborates with Engineering, Supply Chain/Manufacturing, Commercial, and EHS leaders to ensure quality systems enable business execution and customer satisfaction.
• Supports development, deployment, and sustainment of quality aligned with enterprise priorities.
• Leads, develops, and mentors Quality Systems leaders and professionals.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Analytical & Statistical Skills

Influence without Authority

Training & Mentoring

Time & Priority Management

Executive-level Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Quality

Master’s Degree preferred

Tools

SAP ERP

Quality Management Systems tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Avient Corporation in North America seeks a Sr. Manager, Corporate Quality to lead the strategic direction of the Quality Management System across sites and functions.

You will embed Lean Six Sigma and Operational Excellence into quality processes to deliver measurable business results and ensure compliance with international standards. As a senior liaison, you will drive standardization, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement, partnering with Corporate Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering,