Associate Director of Quality

nVent • Anoka, MN

8d • Onsite

About The Position

We’re looking for people who put their innovation to work to advance our success – and their own. Join an organization that ensures a more secure world through connecting and protecting our customers with inventive electrical solutions. This is a critical quality leadership role supporting nVent’s Minnesota operations, with ownership of quality for the Anoka and Dayton sites and coordination with our Blaine facility through a key customer partnership. You’ll lead and influence a 70+‑person quality organization , serving as the primary quality liaison to manage complex compliance requirements, maintain senior‑level customer engagement, and ensure quality systems scale alongside the business. This role serves as a gatekeeper for growth, leading the build‑out of a robust quality and supplier quality organization across MN locations to support our expanding Data Solutions and Hoffman Enclosures footprint. What you will experience in this position: Serve as the primary leader for supplier quality strategy . Audit supplier processes and resolve quality issues (NCRs/CAPAs). Collaborate with engineering teams during New Product Introduction (NPI) to ensure suppliers meet build specifications. Direct the receiving inspection and incoming quality control (IQC) operations for all critically important components, implementing a risk-based verification strategy to reduce non-conforming material escapes while optimizing dock-to-stock cycle times. Executive Liaison : Represent the QA function as the principal customer and executive liaison, bridging the gap between high-level customer expectations and supplier execution. Quality Management System (QMS) Evolution : Lead the development and alignment of a comprehensive QMS (e.g., ISO 9001). High-Impact Problem Solving : Act as the Quality Project Leader and a structured problem-solving SME, using advanced methods to resolve critical supplier bottlenecks and technical issues. Manage Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Processes (PPAP) in global sourcing efforts. This ensures quality is effectively integrated during new product introductions (NPI). Operational Excellence : Drive large-scale continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean Six Sigma) to optimize both internal plant efficiency and external supplier yield. Groundbreaking Leadership : Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of quality professionals, encouraging a culture of accountability, technical mastery, and career growth.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree required; Master’s degree or MBA or equivalent experience preferred to support strategic business alignment
• Experience: 10+ years in manufacturing quality systems, with a proven track record of managing complex global supply bases
• Leadership: 5+ years of progressive leadership experience, specifically managing multi-site quality functions or large-scale supplier quality organizations
• Methodology: Deep expertise in Lean principles (5S, Kaizen, VSM) and a proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC) applied to supplier monitoring
• Systems Mastery: Advanced knowledge of ISO Management systems and enterprise quality software (e.g., Intelex, Trackwise)
• Strategic Approach: The ability to translate complex quality data into actionable business intelligence for executive partners

Nice To Haves

• Certifications: Professional certifications such as ASQ-CQM/OE (Quality Manager/Organizational Excellence), CQE, or CQA are highly valued

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary leader for supplier quality strategy
• Audit supplier processes and resolve quality issues (NCRs/CAPAs)
• Collaborate with engineering teams during New Product Introduction (NPI) to ensure suppliers meet build specifications
• Direct the receiving inspection and incoming quality control (IQC) operations for all critically important components, implementing a risk-based verification strategy to reduce non-conforming material escapes while optimizing dock-to-stock cycle times
• Represent the QA function as the principal customer and executive liaison, bridging the gap between high-level customer expectations and supplier execution
• Lead the development and alignment of a comprehensive QMS (e.g., ISO 9001)
• Act as the Quality Project Leader and a structured problem-solving SME, using advanced methods to resolve critical supplier bottlenecks and technical issues
• Manage Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Processes (PPAP) in global sourcing efforts. This ensures quality is effectively integrated during new product introductions (NPI)
• Drive large-scale continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean Six Sigma) to optimize both internal plant efficiency and external supplier yield
• Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of quality professionals, encouraging a culture of accountability, technical mastery, and career growth

Benefits

• A dynamic global reach with diverse operations around the world that will stretch your abilities, provide plentiful career opportunities, and allow you to make an impact every day
• Commitment to strengthen communities where our employees live and work
• We encourage and support the philanthropic activities of our employees worldwide
• Through our nVent in Action matching program, we provide funds to nonprofit and educational organizations where our employees volunteer or donate money
• Core values that shape our culture and drive us to deliver the best for our employees and our customers. We’re known for being: Innovative & adaptable Dedicated to absolute integrity Focused on the customer first Respectful and team oriented Optimistic and energizing Accountable for performance
• Benefits to support the lives of our employees
• Medical, dental, and vision plans along with flexible spending accounts, short-term and long-term disability benefits, critical illness, accident insurance and life insurance.
• A 401(k) retirement plan and an employee stock purchase plan — both include a company match.
• Other supplemental benefits may include tuition reimbursement, caregiver, personal and parental leave, back-up care services, paid time off including volunteer time, a well-being program, and/or legal & identity theft protection.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level