Director, Quality

SUMMARY: The OEM Director of Quality is responsible for leading an aerospace quality department responsible for the manufacturing of aircraft engine components and accessories supplied to leading aircraft engine manufacturers. Responsible for all aspects of a quality management system that ensures reliable and effective operations. This role shall manage teams while also setting goals, budgets, and timelines for various projects building a culture of prevention, robust root cause analysis, and continuous improvement across internal operations and supply chain. This shall include integration with both internal and external partners, suppliers, and customers and oversee all development from evaluation to execution.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversees and manages the OEM manufacturing business’ quality functions including all quality aspects required to establish and maintain product design authority.
• Responsible to manage both onsite manufacturing quality of products, detail parts inspection as well as a team that manages a diversified sub-tier supplier network for quality performance.
• Ensures quality by planning, monitoring, appraising results and maintaining a Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead quality representation in product/process change control with Engineering and Programs.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Programs and Supply Chain to embed quality at design, production, and support stages.
• Establishes quality and reliability standards by studying product and customer requirements with other members of management and with production operators, technicians, and engineers.
• Ensures OEM manufacturing internal procedures, processes and flow downs are maintained and compliant to customer, industry, and statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Creates quality management documentation system by writing and updating quality assurance procedures.
• Maintains product quality by enforcing quality assurance policies and procedures and government requirements.
• Serve as the point of contact for external quality audits and customer source inspections; manage corrective action plans and closeouts.
• Establishes process and reliability improvements based on quality audit reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends. Ensures an effective internal audit program is established and maintained.
• Manages a team that supports:
  • Supplier performance evaluations, contributing to vendor approval, selection, and strategic sourcing decisions.
  • Material Review Board (MRB) activities, ensuring necessary product verification steps are followed.
  • Oversee supplier corrective actions to ensure quality and compliance, and zero defects.
  • Provide oversight and guidance to Field Quality Engineers, particularly for suppliers requiring quality clinics or enhanced support to support VSE Supply Chain.
  • Lead and manage internal and third-party audits, ensuring full compliance with regulatory standards and customer requirements.
  • Participate and provide guidance in work transfers and necessary special processes for unique products in the VSE supply chain.
  • Oversee the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of Quality Management System (QMS) processes, including control of documents and data.
  • Ensure effective process interaction and optimization, collaborating with process owners and conducting in-person reviews to drive efficiency.
  • Monitor and analyze quality metrics and performance trends to identify opportunities for improvement in cost, quality, and customer satisfaction.
  • Ensures readiness for customer or regulatory agency audits and oversight.
  • Building a culture of continuous improvement and robust RCCA problem solving and lessons learned across internal operations and supply chain.
  • Owning quality data integrity and reporting; implement dashboards for FPY, defect rates, escapes, scrap/rework, MRB cycle time.
  • Working with IT and Operations to implement technological resources and advancements to improve efficiency and quality.

• MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or related field
  • OR an additional 4 years of specific work experience in lieu of degree.
• 10 years of relevant/technical work experience and 7-9 years of leadership experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining a Quality Management System registered compliant to ISO 9100, latest revision.
• Audit experience/certification, particularly with ISO 9001 and/or AS9100/AS13100 Quality/ Quality Management 
• Experience with Root Cause Analysis, Risk Management, and Supplier Performance Management
• Ability to self-manage, set priorities, and demonstrate follow-through.
• Ability to travel to VSE facilities, suppliers, and customer sites.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Experience obtaining and maintaining aviation manufacturing approval, FAA, EASA, CAAC and other Air Agency Certificates.
• Leadership Skills
• Analytic skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Root Cause Analysis and prevent recurrence skills.
• Experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project Management and Analytics Software.

• PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• 14+ years of work experience in aviation manufacturing quality
• 10+ years in a supervisory position
• 10+ in the aviation industry
• FAA Certificate Holder
• ISO 9000 Internal Auditor

• OTHER:

• The selected applicant will be subject to a background check and drug testing.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or related field
  • OR an additional 4 years of specific work experience in lieu of degree.
• 10 years of relevant/technical work experience and 7-9 years of leadership experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining a Quality Management System registered compliant to ISO 9100, latest revision.
• Audit experience/certification, particularly with ISO 9001 and/or AS9100/AS13100 Quality/ Quality Management 
• Experience with Root Cause Analysis, Risk Management, and Supplier Performance Management
• Ability to self-manage, set priorities, and demonstrate follow-through.
• Ability to travel to VSE facilities, suppliers, and customer sites.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Experience obtaining and maintaining aviation manufacturing approval, FAA, EASA, CAAC and other Air Agency Certificates.
• Leadership Skills
• Analytic skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Root Cause Analysis and prevent recurrence skills.
• Experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project Management and Analytics Software.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• 14+ years of work experience in aviation manufacturing quality
• 10+ years in a supervisory position
• 10+ in the aviation industry
• FAA Certificate Holder
• ISO 9000 Internal Auditor

OTHER:

• The selected applicant will be subject to a background check and drug testing.

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