Director, Senior Director, or VP of Quality

Job Description

Why This Role Matters: As our Director/Sr. Director/VP of Quality, you carry direct executive sponsorship to architect our global electromechanical quality footprint. This is a high-visibility leadership seat responsible for scaling our Quality Management System (QMS), driving international Contract Manufacturing (CM) relations and leading an established quality team. We see our Quality Department as the bridge between operational strategy and product reliability, ensuring manufacturing processes consistently meet strict regulatory standards and our customers' expectations without compromise. We need a leader who will identify defect patterns early, drive continuous process improvements, and protect our Company's brand.

Note on Role Leveling: This position is structured with flexible leveling. The final title and pay range-Director, Senior Director, or Vice President of Quality-will be determined by the selected candidate's depth of experience in global Contract Manufacturing, executive leadership experience, and strategic scope in Quality roles.

Role Impact Pillars:

• Executive Leadership: Partner directly with the SVP of Engineering & Operations on long-range strategic planning, operational expansion, and advanced technology adoption.
• Global CM Partnership: Actively engage as a strategic partner with our CM's by closely partnering with them to ensure compliance, factory audits, and pre-shipment quality gates prior to products landing in the US. Fostering this relationship is fundamental to our future success. This will require international travel 15% annually.
• QMS Architecture: Drive end-to-end design, implementation, and continuous oversight of our ISO-compliant quality systems.
• Department Leadership: Direct a multi-tiered quality department, providing direct leadership to Quality Management, Engineers, and Technicians while guiding overall departmental growth.

Note: Requires international/domestic travel up to 15% (factory and supplier visits) and occasional communication across global time zones.

Challenge Yourself - The Specifics:

• Oversees Contract Manufacturer (CM) compliance, establishing rigorous quality control processes, pre-shipment inspection gates, and Certificate of Conformance (CoC) validation prior to parts arriving in the US
• Directs the end-to-end architecture, implementation, and maintenance of the company's Quality Management System (QMS) and integration with the ERP System to ensure full organizational compliance and audit readiness
• Drives strategic alignment with international quality teams and global suppliers, leading factory audits, Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA/SCAR) protocols, and supplier quality governance
• Owns and modernizes the quality roadmap with direct executive sponsorship, leveraging full authority to implement best-in-class processes, digital quality tools, and global CM governance frameworks
• Coordinates with Engineering, Product Management, and vendors to establish and enforce First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) protocols for new product introductions (NPI)
• Leads a multi-tiered quality department through direct management of the Quality Engineer and Manager, providing indirect leadership and oversight to Quality Assurance Technicians
• Ensures equipment, personnel, processes, and procedures are positioned ahead of demand cycles using statistical trend analysis, predictive modeling, and risk management
• Leverages cutting-edge technologies within quality processes, including robotics, computer vision, and advanced industrial automation
• Develops, implements, measures, and evaluates overall infrastructure, including procedures, policies, and plans to inspect incoming materials, in-process production, and finished goods
• Implements and monitors Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track departmental quality, supplier performance, and team metrics
• Ensures accurate, current documentation and QMS records are maintained and audit-ready across all inspection points
• Oversees Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) evaluations, driving root-cause analysis and disposition in coordination with Engineering and Sales
• Plans and maintains audit programs at manufacturing and warehouse facilities, presenting key findings directly to executive leadership
• Trains and mentors quality personnel on auditing protocols and continuous improvement methodologies
• Provides ongoing leadership, resources, and development to support the Quality department
• Performs other strategic leadership duties as assigned

Qualifications

You Have a Unique Combination of Skills, Talents and Mindset, Including Many of the Following:

• Director Level: 7+ years of quality leadership experience; proven ability to manage exempt talent (Engineers and Managers), oversee QMS systems, and manage domestic/offshore vendor quality.
• Senior Director Level: 10+ years of progressive leadership; deep expertise in offshore CM engagement, pre-shipment quality gates, multi-tiered team leadership, and cross-functional risk management.
• Vice President Level: 15+ years of executive quality leadership; proven track record of architecting enterprise-wide global quality strategies, leading executive-level risk oversight, and scaling international manufacturing footprints.
• Knowledge of:
  • Extensive background in Contract Manufacturer (CM) management, supplier quality governance, offshore vendor auditing, and pre-shipment quality setup
  • Proven hands-on experience configuring, maintaining, and auditing Quality Management Systems (QMS) and their integration with ERP systems.
  • International standards such as ISO and VDA
  • Quality standards and methodologies, including APQP, PPAP, 8D, and 5Y, CAPA, VDA, and root-cause analysis
  • Electromechanical assemblies incorporating extruded metals and plastics, injection molded plastics, die cast parts, and PCB assemblies
  • Lean Six Sigma principles (Green Belt or Black Belt certification a plus) and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
  • General knowledge of LEDs, drivers, photometry, and controls
  • Advanced management principles and practices of employee management and leadership, including work planning, assignments, and multi-layered team oversight
  • Business math and statistical techniques
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google applications (Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides)
  • Familiarity with ERP and PLM systems in a manufacturing environment
  • Exceptional attention to detail, time-management, and executive-level problem-solving skills
  • Ability to safely use various metrology tools equipment including but not limited to, calipers, handheld photometer, and a multimeter for purposes of evaluating product conformance. Experience with advanced profilometers and spectrometers a plus
  • Ability to strategize, plan, organize, prioritize, and execute a variety of multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner: organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines
  • English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation

Additional Information

The Perks and Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance (100% PAID by employer), available first of the month, following the date of hire
• Company-matched 401(k) Plan, at 5%, no vesting schedule
• Discretionary Time Off (DTO)
• Parental Leave (PL)
• Sick Time Off (STO)
• Seven Paid Holidays
• Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) - $200 annual employer contribution
• Career Development Plan Program
• Discounted Corporate Gym Membership at South Reno Athletic Club
• Tuition Assistance
• Monthly Birthday Lunch Celebrations
• Employee Discount
• On-site Snacks and Beverages
• Employee Referral Bonus Program