Quality Manager MCC

ST Engineering iDirect

3d•Onsite

About The Position

ST Engineering iDirect's MCC Electronics is a contract electronics manufacturer specializing in high-complexity PCB assembly and systems integration for defense, medical, and space markets. We are a technically excellent team undergoing a transformation to scale up our commercial and operational infrastructure to match the quality of our manufacturing capability. ST Engineering iDirect MCC - Manufacturing Competence Centre and Factory of the Future - is looking for a driven and principled Quality Manager to lead our quality organization and ensure our products meet the highest standards in the EMS industry. You will be the guardian of quality across the entire plant — from new product introduction through serial production — and will play a key role in shaping our quality culture. This is a senior leadership role. You will manage a team that includes the QARA Manager, quality inspectors, and the NPI team, and you will work in close collaboration — and healthy tension — with the Operations Manager to find the right balance between quality and delivery commitments. The Plant Manager serves as the final authority when escalation is required. This role requires backbone. Quality cannot be the first thing to yield under delivery pressure. We are looking for someone who can hold the line firmly and professionally, build trust with Operations, and know when to escalate — not someone who will quietly compromise standards to keep the peace.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum 7 years of experience in quality within an EMS, electronics, or high-mix manufacturing environment; at least 3 years in a people management role.
Deep knowledge of ISO 9001; working knowledge of ISO 13485, AS9100, ISO 14001, and ISO 27001 are pluses.
Experience with quality tools: 8D, FMEA, SPC, 6-sigma, 5S, or equivalent.
Demonstrated ability to challenge peers and management assertively while maintaining strong working relationships.
Clear, structured communicator — capable of presenting complex quality data to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Hands-on mentality: you lead from the shop floor, not from behind a desk.
Fluent in Dutch and English.

Nice To Haves

Auditor certification in one or more of the above standards is a strong asset.
IPC standards knowledge (IPC-A-610, IPC-7711, etc.) is an asset.

Responsibilities

Own and drive the quality strategy for the plant, aligned with business objectives and customer requirements.
Lead, develop, and coach the quality team: QARA Manager, quality inspectors, and the NPI team.
Set clear quality KPIs, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement.
Maintain and develop the integrated Management System across all applicable standards.
Plan and manage internal and external audits; ensure timely and effective corrective actions.
Engage constructively and decisively with the Operations Manager on quality vs. delivery trade-offs — advocating for quality while understanding operational realities.
Escalate unresolved conflicts to the Plant Manager in a structured, fact-based manner; and support the timely execution of agreed decisions and actions.
Act as the primary quality interface with customers, handling complaints, audits, and corrective actions.
Oversee quality activities during New Product Introduction, ensuring robust quality gates before serial production release.
Steer QARA activities, including regulatory compliance, customer-specific quality requirements, and supplier quality management.
Own and maintain the plant Change Management process, ensuring all quality-related changes are properly assessed, documented, approved, implemented, and verified.
Lead cross-functional impact assessments and risk evaluations for changes affecting products, processes, equipment, software, suppliers, or quality systems.
Ensure effective implementation of changes, including validation where required, and monitor post-implementation effectiveness.
Maintain change control records and ensure compliance with applicable customer, regulatory, and certification requirements.
Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the process validation framework across manufacturing and supporting processes.
Review and approve validation master plans, protocols, reports, and revalidation activities, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
Ensure manufacturing processes are appropriately validated before release to serial production and remain in a validated state throughout their lifecycle.
Monitor process performance and drive corrective actions, requalification, or revalidation activities when process changes or performance trends warrant further evaluation.
Govern the inspection process across incoming, in-process, and final product stages.
Drive root cause analysis and effective closure of non-conformances (8D, Ishikawa, or equivalent methodology).
Monitor and reduce scrap, rework, and customer returns.