Director, Global Quality and Continuous Improvement

Job Title: Director, Global Quality and Continuous Improvement

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Department: Quality Assurance

Reports to: SR VP, Engineering, Mfg, and Supply Chain

Flex Work Eligible! This position qualifies for the Flexible Work Policy. Employees receive 75 work days annually to work remote! The initial amount of days is prorated for the first year based on start date. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION / PURPOSE

Dir of Quality and Continuous Improvement provides strategic leadership to enhance customer-focused quality and continuous improvement activities for all US-based and global operations. Develop, implement the company's quality system, programs and strategy to ensure mfg and operations deliver exceptional quality products that meet all customer, industry, regulatory, and government quality standards. Develop and monitor the Quality Management System (QMS) and its impact on production processes and execute continuous improvement strategies to ensure the highest product performance resulting in customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop, lead strategic initiatives and best practices to implement and improve Quality Assurance, continuous improvement, and change management strategies and disciplines that support standardization of work processes, adherence to ISO standards, overall company-level ISO Certifications, and QMS disciplines for mfg and operations
• Build performance improvement portfolio framework and ensure adherence to the Strategic Planning Cycle using fact-based, data-driven methodology. Drive product and process improvements to ensure products and services meet or exceed quality and reliability requirements
• Lead direct reports in several locations, cross-functional global network of engineers, mfg facilities, business leaders, and legal team support to maintain compliance
• Lead and direct the application, development, and maintenance of Lean Six Sigma techniques, principles to help others strengthen specific knowledge and skills needed to problem solve and sustain long-term gains
• Establish, implement, and uphold quality KPIs at the mfg, operations, and supplier level to ensure development and manufacturing processes are in line with Company objectives. Leverage KPIs to drive prioritization in CI projects throughout Loram. Build and sustain organization capabilities, ensure QMS identify and eliminate Cost-of-Poor-Quality

Leadership and Talent Development

• Inspire, develop staff fostering opportunities for growth through a proactive performance management system based on feedback, coaching, and mentoring. Cultural Leader for the advancement of zero-defect culture
• Recruit, select, and develop staff with the appropriate mixture of experience, capabilities, and skills to consistently meet company goals and dept initiatives in the most cost-effective manner
• Teach, mentor individuals, groups in a manner that engages and helps them understand using appropriate interpersonal styles and communication methods to gain acceptance of ideas from leadership, process owners, and customers to foster a learning environment

Global

• Maintain worldwide product compliance across all Global Business Units by direct participation in Long Range Product Planning and the Product Development Process.
• Develop, communicate, and execute multi-year global QA and CI strategy

Financial Management

• Manage dept expenses up to $1M annual, understanding of labor, materials, and impact on plant burden rate
• Develop, manage budget and business plans for all U.S.-based Quality. Ensure adherence to approved budgets &/or business plans

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology or business

Experience: 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience. Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and quality concepts with global business.

Licenses/Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Certification or ability to be certified.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Advanced Degree in Engineering or Business

Experience: 15 Years’ Experience in heavy equipment manufacturing and/or international operations, Involvement in a Safety Program or Safety focused organization, Knowledge of compliance standards for regulated industries

Licenses/Certifications: Certified Quality Engineer – Industry-recognized certification and maintain railroad safety training and certifications. ASQ CQE, ASQ COM

Demonstrated ability to advise Executive Leadership in quality strategy development.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work successfully across business disciplines

Excellent conflict resolution skills

Hands-on team-oriented, honest, loyal leader committed to business improvement processes and individual team member success.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office deskwork, requiring sitting, walking, using phone & computer
• May lift up to 30 lbs. occasionally
• 10% or more travel including international (willing to travel globally and in support of needs and global satellite plants.
• Can tolerate variable and sometimes challenging conditions during visits or inspections of company equipment in a railroad environment

Loram is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

REV. December 2024

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