Director of Quality Operations

Panasonic Corporation of North America•De Soto, KS

58d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Quality Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for all quality functions within lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Panasonic Energy Company of North America (PECNA) is seeking an ambitious Director of Quality who will design, hire, build and lead a team of extreme talented and equally motivated individuals who will be responsible for Quality of Manufacturing Operations of the world's largest lithium-ion battery initiative. With superior battery designs and the fastest manufacturing lines in the world, Panasonic is currently producing millions of batteries per day at the Gigafactory in Reno, NV to support electric vehicle and energy storage businesses, and now invites you to join us in this ongoing further accelerate this effort to electrify our society, this time in DeSoto Kansas. The Director of Quality Operations oversees the entire quality aspect of manufacturing operations. This involves ensuring the improvement of processes and the delivery of quality products through effective quality management practices.

Requirements

Required: Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality management, manufacturing, or a related field
10+ years of progressive experience in quality management and manufacturing operations, including leadership of cross-functional teams
Proven track record managing QMS implementation, audits, and compliance with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 standards
Strong understanding of lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes and industry-specific regulations
Expertise in root cause analysis, corrective/preventive action, and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean, TQM)
Skilled in data-driven decision-making using statistical or predictive analysis tools
Exceptional communication and leadership skills to influence at all organizational levels
Ability to align quality initiatives with business strategy and drive operational excellence
Alignment with Panasonic's seven (7) core principles: contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, and gratitude

Nice To Haves

Preferred: Master's or PhD in a related discipline
Prior experience directing quality operations within a lithium-ion battery or related advanced manufacturing environment
Experience managing global or multi-site quality programs and supplier quality systems
Demonstrated success leading customer-facing quality initiatives to improve satisfaction and performance metrics
Proficiency in developing and presenting quality performance reports to executive leadership
Certified Quality Manager (CQM)
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

Responsibilities

Risk Management: The role involves using advanced statistical and predictive analysis techniques to identify potential quality-related risks. Implementing risk mitigation strategies is crucial to prevent issues such as product recalls, safety incidents, losses, or compliance problems.
Quality Management System (QMS) Ownership: Maintain and Enforce the Quality Management System across the manufacturing operations to ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations Continuously review and improve the QMS to meet changing industry demands.
Process Optimization: Identifying opportunities for process improvement throughout the manufacturing cycle is vital. Collaboration with various teams is necessary to implement efficiency-enhancing measures while maintaining product quality
Develop and implement rigorous quality assurance protocols to monitor all stages of battery production
Establish and maintain strict quality control measures to detect, contain, and prevent defects
Develop, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of quality initiatives
Prepare and deliver performance summaries and improvement recommendations to senior leadership
Manage departmental budgets and resources effectively to support operational priorities and continuous improvement initiatives
Identify and implement process improvement opportunities throughout the manufacturing cycle to enhance efficiency, reduce variability, and maintain product quality
Lead root cause analyses and corrective action activities to resolve quality issues and non-conformances
Implement preventive measures to eliminate recurrence of identified issues
Align quality objectives with organizational strategy to ensure quality operations support company-wide goals for safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction
Champion digital transformation and data-driven decision-making within quality operations to improve traceability, analysis, and responsiveness
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of quality professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and operational excellence
Establish clear performance expectations and professional development plans to strengthen technical expertise and leadership capability
Promote best practice sharing and knowledge transfer across global and regional quality teams to drive consistency and innovation
Collaborate with sales, manufacturing, and customer quality teams to address customer feedback and complaints
Partner with procurement and supplier quality teams to ensure supplier compliance with specifications, standards, and quality performance metrics
Engage with executive leadership, engineering, and production teams to align on quality goals, priorities, and performance outcomes
Represent quality operations during customer audits, management reviews, and cross-functional strategic initiatives
Implement proactive mitigation strategies to prevent product recalls, safety incidents, losses, and compliance issues
Ensure compliance with all applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies, including ISO, IATF, and environmental health and safety guidelines
Monitor and manage product safety and reliability metrics, ensuring timely execution of corrective and preventive measures
Promote a proactive culture of safety, quality, and risk awareness across all levels of the organization
This position provides direct leadership to the Quality Operations Managers, Metrology Leader, and Quality Engineers. The Director is responsible for setting departmental goals, overseeing performance management, guiding professional development, and ensuring effective staffing and succession planning across all quality functions.

Benefits

Highly inclusive and class-leading healthcare options to include family planning, mental health, and pet insurance
Employee assistance programs that support total well-being with complimentary session offered each and every month
Company-matched and fully vested 401K retirement program that starts immediately from date of enrollment
Annual bonus program, High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
Simplified access to self-guided and representative-supported short and long-term financial wellness and retirement planning
Educational Assistance & Reimbursement Program
Inclusion programs and associated employee resource groups that promote representation and belonging
Leadership, career, and mentorship development programs opportunities at all levels across the organization
Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.

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