Transportation & Energy / Aerospace & Defense Vertical Quality Director

3M•Maplewood, MN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career. As a Quality Director, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by: Leads long ‑ term quality strategy for the Transportation & Energy / Aerospace & Defense Verticals by partnering with TEBG and ESC leadership, interpreting industry and customer trends, and setting cross ‑ business quality guidelines and improvement initiatives. Oversees functional strategic planning, including budgeting, resource allocation, and approval of budget deviations, ensuring the organization is positioned to meet business objectives . Directs multiple quality functions-such as customer quality, product quality control, incoming inspection, and warranty analysis-by setting priorities, assigning resources, monitoring customer health metrics, and ensuring high ‑ quality operational execution. Provides leadership to managers and teams through coaching, performance management, conflict resolution, and development, while fostering a strong “Quality Is My Job” culture. Solves highly complex quality challenges requiring cross ‑ functional collaboration, innovation, and advanced analytical skills, making decisions with long ‑ term impact across multiple regions and business groups. Represents the Quality function with senior executives and external stakeholders, providing strategic recommendations, leading QMS activities (including ISO audits and reviews), and ensuring alignment with corporate programs, policies, and 3M values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start).
Twelve (12 ) years of experience in a quality or manufacturing setting in a private, public, government or military environment.
Five (5) years of experience in a Quality or Manufacturing leadership position in a private, public, government or military environment.
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution
Advanced expertise across multiple quality disciplines, such as quality assurance, product quality control, incoming inspection, Six Sigma, ISO standards, and warranty analysis.
Experience administering and maintaining ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
Strong project management capabilities, with a track record of leading complex, cross ‑ functional initiatives.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage senior leadership, peers, teams, customers, and regulatory stakeholders.
Proficiency with corporate systems and digital tools commonly used in Quality functions, along with strong English verbal and written communication skills.
Experience with Statistical Process Control and other advanced analytical methods used to manage and improve quality performance.

Responsibilities

Leads long ‑ term quality strategy for the Transportation & Energy / Aerospace & Defense Verticals by partnering with TEBG and ESC leadership, interpreting industry and customer trends, and setting cross ‑ business quality guidelines and improvement initiatives.
Oversees functional strategic planning, including budgeting, resource allocation, and approval of budget deviations, ensuring the organization is positioned to meet business objectives .
Directs multiple quality functions-such as customer quality, product quality control, incoming inspection, and warranty analysis-by setting priorities, assigning resources, monitoring customer health metrics, and ensuring high ‑ quality operational execution.
Provides leadership to managers and teams through coaching, performance management, conflict resolution, and development, while fostering a strong “Quality Is My Job” culture.
Solves highly complex quality challenges requiring cross ‑ functional collaboration, innovation, and advanced analytical skills, making decisions with long ‑ term impact across multiple regions and business groups.
Represents the Quality function with senior executives and external stakeholders, providing strategic recommendations, leading QMS activities (including ISO audits and reviews), and ensuring alignment with corporate programs, policies, and 3M values.
Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.
Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.