Sr. Director of Quality

Panasonic • De Soto, KS

25d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director of Quality establishes the strategic vision, governance framework, and long-term direction of the Quality organization. Reporting to executive leadership, this role oversees Quality Operations, Supplier Quality, Product and Customer Quality, and Quality Management Systems, aligning these functions with business objectives, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements. The Senior Director develops and executes an integrated quality strategy to drive operational excellence, product reliability, customer satisfaction, compliance, and business growth, and advises executive leadership by translating enterprise strategy into multi-functional objectives.

The role owns site quality performance and the effectiveness of the Quality Management System, directs quality resources and strategic initiatives, and leads organizational performance, risk management, and continuous improvement. It builds and develops a high-performing Quality organization through subordinate Directors and Managers, partners with leaders across the business, and represents the organization in customer engagements, regulatory interactions, audits, and critical quality escalations.

This is a primarily site-based position with up to 20% travel. PPE may be required and may include a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, or a full hazmat suit with respirator. Physical activity during a normal workday is 40% sitting, 30% walking, and 30% standing. Lifting and carrying requirements include occasional lifting up to 10 and 20 pounds, rare lifting up to 35 pounds, and rare team lifting over 35 pounds.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality Assurance, Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related technical field; relevant work experience may substitute for the required education.
• 15+ years of progressive quality leadership experience, with a focus on manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading multiple quality functions through Directors, Managers, and other senior leaders.
• Proven success developing and executing enterprise-level quality strategies.
• Extensive knowledge of quality management systems, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive decision-making and lead transformational change.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Working-level knowledge of English, including reading, writing, and speaking.
• Alignment with Panasonic’s seven core principles: contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, and gratitude.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent) in a related discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or higher.
• American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification, such as CQE, CMQ/OE, or CQA.
• Prior Director or Senior Director experience leading multiple quality functions within large-scale manufacturing environments.
• Experience serving as the senior quality leader for a complex manufacturing operation.
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up, organizational transformation, and enterprise quality improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and executive oversight for site Quality Operations, Supplier Quality, Product and Customer Quality, and Quality Management Systems.
• Establish the Quality function’s vision, organizational strategy, governance structure, and operating framework in alignment with enterprise objectives and business priorities.
• Own site quality performance, including customer and supplier quality, product reliability, compliance, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
• Direct quality resources, investments, and strategic initiatives to support business growth and operational excellence.
• Provide executive visibility and direction on quality performance, emerging risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and execute the site quality strategy and multi-year roadmap.
• Translate enterprise strategy into integrated quality objectives across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and customer-facing functions.
• Lead transformational quality initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, advanced analytics, digital quality systems, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Anticipate and address emerging quality, customer, regulatory, and business risks.
• Provide strategic quality leadership for manufacturing expansions, product launches, and technology deployments.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Quality organization to support current operations and future growth.
• Coach and develop Directors, Managers, and other senior leaders through workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness strategies.
• Foster accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Serve as the primary quality advisor to executive leadership and influence business strategy, operational priorities, and organizational decisions.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to integrate quality objectives into business plans and operational strategies.
• Lead executive-level reviews of quality performance, organizational risks, compliance activities, and strategic initiatives.
• Represent the organization in customer engagements, regulatory interactions, audits, and critical quality escalations.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with customers, suppliers, corporate stakeholders, and industry partners.
• Own the governance and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System and ensure compliance with applicable customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Establish site-wide quality governance and risk management strategies covering product quality, supplier quality, customer quality, and compliance risks.
• Ensure readiness for customer, regulatory, certification, and internal audits, and maintain robust corrective and preventive action processes.
• Lead organizational responses and mitigation strategies for significant quality, compliance, customer, and supplier issues.
• Promote quality, safety, integrity, compliance, and environmental responsibility across the organization.
• Lead multiple quality functions through subordinate Directors and Managers responsible for operational execution and performance.
• Oversee organizational capability, workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, budget management, and performance management across the Quality organization.
• Establish strategic direction, organizational objectives, and performance expectations that support enterprise, operational, and customer requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer leave, and parental and caregiver leave.
• Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health management and wellbeing programs, including a Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition support, neurodiversity resources, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life-stage and fertility resources.
• Employee recognition and awards program, with quarterly and annual recognition.
• Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site cafes, snack and beverage kitchens, vendor visits, and employee events.

What This Job Offers

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