Director of Quality Assurance

Director Of Quality AssuranceThe Director of Quality Assurance leads all manufacturing quality operations across Truck-Lite's Wellsboro, McElhattan, and Coudersport facilities. This role is a peer to the Director of Quality – Compliance and carries full operational authority over all plant quality personnel. The Director of Quality Assurance ensures that products manufactured at all three facilities meet or exceed established quality standards through active floor leadership, structured training, rigorous corrective action management, and data-driven continuous improvement. This role operates with independent decision-making authority over all plant quality execution functions; manufacturing operations should not require compliance approval to act on quality matters within this Director's domain.This position works in close coordination with the Director of Manufacturing and reports to the VP of Manufacturing Technology. It is expected to maintain a visible, consistent presence on the plant floor and to model a culture of accountability, urgency, and quality ownership across all three sites.Essential Job Functions:Plant Floor Leadership & Team DevelopmentMaintain regular, visible presence on the floor at all three plant locations; conduct structured Gemba walks and direct team touchpointsLead, develop, evaluate, and retain all plant quality personnel; set clear performance expectations and hold team members accountableBuild a collaborative, inclusive quality culture that motivates employees to their highest performance and fosters continuous improvement at every levelPartner with HR and plant managers on quality staffing decisions, performance management, and succession planningTraining & QualificationOwn and execute print-level and process-level quality training for all new hires and existing quality staff across all three plantsMaintain complete, current training records; ensure training is completed on schedule and linked to actual print requirements and quality standardsDevelop depth within the quality team through coaching, cross-training, and structured professional developmentCoordinate with Manufacturing Engineering on training updates driven by engineering changes or new product launchesCorrective Action & Problem SolvingOwn all Corrective Action Report (CAR) processes from initiation through verified closure; ensure root cause rigor and sustainable corrective actionsDrive structured problem-solving using 8D, DMAIC, 5-Why, or equivalent methodologies; build team capability in these toolsEnsure CAPA effectiveness verification is completed and documented; track open actions and escalate at-risk itemsLead internal root cause investigation for customer returns and field complaints; prepare internal corrective action plans in support of customer communications managed by the Director of Quality – ComplianceDefect Reduction & Continuous ImprovementOwn and report on internal and external DPM (Defects Per Million) trends across all three facilitiesLead defect reduction initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma tools; prioritize by impact and business riskMaintain and improve first-pass yield, scrap, and rework metrics; establish site-level improvement goals and track progressLead or support 6-Sigma and Lean Manufacturing technique assessment and training at the plant levelSupport Manufacturing Engineering and Productivity Improvement initiatives across Wellsboro, McElhattan, and CoudersportInternal Auditing & Standards ExecutionExecute the internal process and product audit schedule as established by the Director of Quality – ComplianceEnsure all audit findings generate timely corrective actions; own closure and effectiveness verificationEnsure plant quality teams understand and apply current IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 process expectations in daily operationsManage the Internal Auditor position (Wellsboro, open) as a direct functional resource for audit executionMeasurement Systems & Incoming QualityOversee the Company's gage calibration systems and measurement system assurance across all facilitiesOwn incoming inspection programs; manage nonconforming material disposition and supplier feedback in coordination with PurchasingSupport Supplier Quality Engineering activities for plant-level incoming quality issuesReporting & MetricsMaintain and present weekly, monthly, and quarterly quality performance dashboards including DPM, first-pass yield, CAPA closure rate, scrap, and audit findingsMaintain and manage customer quality scorecards and supplier/customer portals; ensure timely, accurate data entry and corrective action submissionProvide regular reporting to the VP of Engineering and peer leadership team on quality status, risks, and improvement progressBudget & OperationsDevelop, manage, and report on the Quality department operational budget across all three facilitiesSupport New Product Introduction (NPI) quality execution in partnership with Product EngineeringDirect and support special projects as assigned by manufacturing leadershipPosition requires compliance with the Technology Control Plan and the Federal Export Control Policy of the CorporationSupports US travel across all plant locations; frequency expected as needed to fulfill floor presence requirementsSpecific Skills and/or Experience with Software, Equipment, etc.:10+ years of progressive manufacturing quality leadership, including direct management of plant-level quality teamsProven track record of sustained floor presence, corrective action ownership, and measurable quality improvement in production environmentsMulti-site or multi-plant quality leadership experience strongly preferredExperience building and leading teams through organizational changeBackground in IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 operating environments required; audit execution experience preferredTechnical SkillsJDE, MS Office Suite, Minitab, and Gagetrack or equivalentCustomer scorecard and portal management (e.g., Stellantis, Ford, GM, Daimler portal systems)Proficiency in structured problem-solving methodologies: 8D, DMAIC, 5-Why, FMEASPC, measurement system analysis (MSA/Gage R&R), and statistical quality toolsLeadership CompetenciesHigh floor visibility orientation — presence-first leadership styleStrong team builder; track record of developing plant-level quality talentDecisive and operationally autonomous; comfortable making quality calls without extensive approval chainsCollaborative peer — able to work effectively alongside compliance, operations, and engineering leadersClear communicator; able to present quality data to shop floor teams and executive leadership alikeThis position carries ITAR/EAR responsibilities; compliance with applicable export control regulations is required