Position Title: Group Quality DirectorLocation: Remote, with global travel to engineering, manufacturing, supplier, and customer locations.Position Summary:The High Speed Products Group (HSPG) is at the forefront of enabling next-generation AI, cloud, networking, and hyperscale data center architectures. HSPG develops and manufactures industry-leading high-speed interconnect solutions including backplane connectors, cable assemblies, copper and optical interconnect systems, and advanced signal integrity products that power the world's most demanding computing platforms.
The Director of Quality will provide strategic leadership for all quality functions across the High Speed Products Group, driving a culture of operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. This executive will partner closely with Engineering, Operations, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Sales to ensure world-class product quality throughout the product lifecycle-from concept and development through volume production and field performance.
The successful candidate will lead global quality strategy, customer quality engagement, supplier quality management, manufacturing quality systems, and advanced quality planning initiatives while supporting rapid growth and technology leadership in the AI and high-performance computing markets.
Responsibilities:Strategic Quality Leadership- Define and execute the global HSPG Quality Strategy aligned with business growth objectives and customer requirements.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators including DPPM, FPY, COPQ, customer scorecards, warranty performance, field returns, and audit performance.
- Drive standardization of quality systems, processes, metrics, and best practices across all HSPG sites worldwide.
- Serve as a member of the HSPG leadership team, influencing strategic decisions and business priorities.
Customer Quality Excellence- Act as the executive quality interface for hyperscale, networking, AI, and OEM customers.
- Lead executive customer reviews, escalations, corrective action initiatives, and continuous improvement programs.
- Drive customer satisfaction through proactive risk management, robust containment strategies, and effective issue resolution.
- Partner with Sales and Program Management on quality agreements, qualification requirements, and customer audits.
New Product Introduction (NPI) & Product Development Quality- Ensure quality is embedded throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Lead implementation of APQP methodologies, design reviews, risk assessments, CTQ management, and qualification strategies.
- Establish robust validation and reliability testing programs for high-speed interconnect technologies.
- Drive process capability, measurement system analysis, and manufacturing readiness for successful product launches.
Manufacturing & Operational Quality- Lead global manufacturing quality organizations across multiple facilities and regions.
- Deploy advanced quality tools including SPC, process capability analysis, layered process audits, error-proofing, and digital quality systems.
- Ensure rapid containment and sustainable corrective actions for quality excursions.
- Drive factory quality improvements supporting aggressive growth and operational scaling initiatives.
Supplier Quality & Supply Chain Excellence- Establish global supplier quality strategies and performance expectations.
- Lead supplier qualification, development, audit, and continuous improvement programs.
- Drive supplier quality performance through measurable KPIs, corrective actions, and strategic partnerships.
- Manage supplier change control, risk mitigation, and second-source qualification initiatives.
Reliability, Failure Analysis & Continuous Improvement- Oversee advanced failure analysis, reliability engineering, and root cause investigation capabilities.
- Institutionalize disciplined problem-solving methodologies including 8D, Six Sigma, DOE, and FMEA.
- Drive reduction of field failures, warranty costs, and customer escapes through preventive quality initiatives.
- Leverage data analytics and AI-driven quality tools to improve detection and predictive quality performance.
Quality Systems & Compliance- Ensure compliance with ISO, customer-specific, regulatory, and industry requirements.
- Lead internal, external, customer, and certification audits.
- Maintain robust quality management systems supporting global operations and customer expectations.
- Drive continuous improvement of quality governance, policies, and operational effectiveness.
Leadership & Talent Development- Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing global quality organization.
- Create succession plans and leadership development pathways.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and customer focus.
- Champion quality awareness and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Qualifications:Education- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related discipline) required.
- Master's degree and/or MBA preferred.
Experience- 15+ years of progressive quality leadership experience within high-speed interconnects, connectors, cable assemblies, networking, datacenter infrastructure, semiconductor, electronics manufacturing, or related industries.
- Proven leadership of global, multi-site quality organizations.
- Extensive experience supporting Tier-1 technology customers, hyperscalers, networking OEMs, and AI infrastructure providers.
- Demonstrated success managing quality during rapid growth, product ramp, and global scaling initiatives.
Technical Expertise- Deep knowledge of APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, FMEA, DOE, Six Sigma, reliability engineering, and statistical quality methods.
- Strong understanding of high-speed interconnect technologies, signal integrity considerations, and advanced manufacturing processes.
- Experience with failure analysis, metrology, environmental testing, electrical testing, and reliability qualification methodologies.
- Expertise in quality systems, audit management, and supplier quality processes.
Leadership Competencies- Exceptional executive communication and customer-facing skills.
- Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
- Ability to influence across matrixed global organizations.
- Proven capability to lead through change and drive organizational transformation.
Travel- Ability to travel globally up to 40% to support customers, suppliers, and manufacturing operations.
