Director of Quality

Swagelok Northern California•Fremont, CA

9d•$196,378 - $294,567•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Quality sets the strategic direction for and leads the daily operation of the organization’s quality management system within the ISO and Swagelok Quality System framework. Working with process owners and executive leadership, the Director proactively measures quality performance, owns the Quality department’s budget and strategic plan, and ensures corrective and preventive actions address issues affecting quality objectives. The role oversees Quality Control Technicians, leads Quality associates in departmental work, and represents the Quality function on the Operational Leadership team. The Director develops the annual Quality strategy, roadmap, and budget; standardizes systems and practices across sites and functions; reports performance and risks to executive leadership and the CEO; and leads continuous improvement and a company-wide quality culture. The role also carries full supervisory responsibilities, including staffing, coaching, performance management, department operations, and associate administration. This is an on-site position at the Fremont office, Monday through Friday. The role involves regular work on the production floor and in inspection and warehouse areas, as well as occasional overnight travel to supplier, customer, and Swagelok facilities for audits, quality reviews, and corporate meetings. Duties include close visual review of parts and technical documents, distinguishing colors, and occasionally lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds. Safety glasses are required in production and warehouse areas, where moderate noise levels are present. The ability to meet company vision standards is required following a conditional offer. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
Progressive Quality experience in a manufacturing environment: at least 8 years with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or at least 5 years with a master’s degree in a related discipline.
At least 3 years of Quality experience in a leadership or management role.
Knowledge of quality assurance tools and techniques.
Ability to maintain document control practices consistent with ISO requirements.
Ability to follow established procedures rigorously and model procedural discipline.
Ability to develop strategic plans and manage a department budget.
Effective communication with executive leadership and ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
Ability to apply statistical analysis to identify trends and guide continuous improvement.
Ability to read, interpret, and critique mechanical drawings.
Ability to travel occasionally, including overnight stays, to supplier, customer, and Swagelok facilities.
Ability to conduct close visual review of parts, blueprints, engineering drawings, and documentation, including distinguishing colors.
Ability to meet company vision standards following a conditional offer of employment.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds and handle parts and inspection tools.
Ability to work regularly on the production floor and in inspection and warehouse areas; safety glasses are required in production and warehouse areas.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methods.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a Quality-related discipline.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).

Responsibilities

Set the strategic direction for and lead daily operation of the quality management system within the ISO and Swagelok Quality System framework.
Proactively measure quality performance and ensure corrective and preventive actions address issues affecting quality objectives.
Own the Quality department’s annual strategy, roadmap, and budget in alignment with company goals.
Prevent nonconforming product from reaching customers through proactive engagement with production associates.
Analyze quality data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
Manage First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs).
Review internal and external engineering drawings, Bills of Materials, and Production Routings for accuracy and completeness.
Maintain productive working relationships and communication with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations to address quality concerns and improvement opportunities.
Prepare and lead Quality meetings and provide daily status updates on Quality actions to Production Control and Operations.
Manage supplier Returned Material Authorization (RMA) and NCMR processes.
Lead continuous improvement activities within Quality and support cross-functional improvement efforts.
Perform root cause analysis, resolve quality problems, and manage corrective action reporting.
Manage Quality Control Technicians and provide on-the-floor guidance, direction, and work prioritization.
Verify that supplier-submitted documents meet customer requirements.
Write process descriptions and assembly and manufacturing instructions as needed.
Train Quality department associates on Quality Assurance processes and procedures.
Collaborate with Supply Chain to manage and improve supplier performance.
Provide technical support to customers and suppliers on quality-related matters.
Lead special projects and perform other duties in support of Quality objectives.
Standardize Quality systems, policies, and best practices across sites and functions.
Report Quality performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to executive leadership and the CEO.
Represent Quality in strategic planning, major customer and supplier negotiations, and cross-functional executive initiatives.
Benchmark Quality performance against industry standards and lead long-term continuous improvement initiatives.
Embed quality principles in decision-making, training, and daily operations across the organization.
Interview, hire, onboard, train, coach, and mentor associates; support their technical capability, professional growth, and career development.
Maintain professional relationships with associates through consistent communication, trust, and responsiveness; apply company policies and procedures consistently and fairly.
Communicate company goals, expectations, and information to associates; resolve conflicts and concerns through appropriate communication and escalation channels.
Oversee efficient and effective daily department operations and align the budget, supplier quality management, inspection resources, and operational execution.
Conduct performance conversations, review goals and metrics, establish expectations, provide feedback and coaching, and maintain documented performance records.
Support associate development through formal training, on-the-job learning, rotational assignments, and other development opportunities.
Escalate performance concerns to the next-level supervisor and HR when improvement does not occur within required timelines.
Administer associate operations, including workstation readiness, payroll coordination, vacation planning, training compliance, safety practices, and operational process control.
Participate in the leadership development program and model the listed leadership behaviors, including effective dialogue, financial fluency, effective interactions, prioritization, radical candor, vulnerability, alignment with intrinsic motivators, and servant leadership.