Vice President of Quality & Operations Excellence - Warren, NJ

VP Quality & Operations Excellence - Warren, NJ

JOB SUMMARY
The Vice President of Quality is a strategic senior leaderresponsible for defining, implementing, managing, and continuously improving anenterprise-wide Quality Management System (QMS), Food Safety Management System(FSMS)and Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) and driving a culture of continuousimprovement/operational excellence across all manufacturing operations andsupporting departments. This role ensures that all NIPPON SANSO MATHESONproducts and services meet the highest standards of safety, purity, andperformance required by our manufacturing, food, and electronics customers,minimizing risk for both our customers and NIPPON SANSO MATHESON. The VicePresident of Quality will directly impact our profitability, brand reputation,employee development, and business growth by reducing waste, eliminatingnon-conformances, and optimizing processes. Preferred location for position isNIPPON SANSO MATHESON's headquarters in Irving, TX but position may beperformed from other corporate offices located at Warren, NJ, Waverly, NE, orMontgomeryville, PA.

Essential Functions
1. Strategic Quality Leadership & Compliance
• QualityStrategy: Develop and lead the corporate quality and food safety vision,strategy, and roadmap aligned with business goals for industrial, food, and electronic products and services, servingas the corporate expert on quality and food safety.
• Certification:Ensure conformance to ISO9001 (Quality), FSSC22000 (Food Safety), and ISO17025(Laboratory Quality) certification standards through implementation of the QMS,FSMS and LQMS, respectively, and routine auditing.
• Customers: Provide quality and food safety support formarketing, sales, and operations interactions with customers, such as newbusiness opportunities or addressing significant quality or food safety issues.
2. Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
• ProcessImprovement: Lead corporate-wide continuous improvement initiative to enhanceprocess efficiency, reduce waste, and lower operating costs acrossmanufacturing sites and supporting departments through the use of Lean SixSigma and Digitization methodologies.
• Data-DrivenDecisions: Leverage quality analytics, SPC/SQC (Statistical Process/QualityControl), and real-time dashboards to identify areas for improvement andmonitor product quality performance.
• RootCause Analysis: Manage non-conformance (NC Log), corrective actions, andpreventative actions (CAPA) systems to address root causes and preventrecurrence.
3. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Experience
• CustomerSupport: Function as the primary liaison for critical customer quality issues,providing clear, timely communication on corrective actions.
• InnovationSupport: Support engineering and operations to ensure quality is built into theproduct design and new product introduction process.
• OperationalAlignment: Partner with operations to align quality and continuousimprovement/operational excellence initiatives with overall manufacturingproductivity.
4. Leadership & Culture Development
• TeamLeadership: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of quality assuranceand continuous improvement/operational excellence professionals.
• QualityCulture: Foster a company-wide culture of "Right First Time" (RFT),safety, and continuous improvement.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all policies and standards

QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Food Science, or a related technical field - Required
Master's Degree A Master's degree or MBA is highly preferred - Preferred

Work Experience
10+ years Minimum of 10 years ofprogressive experience in quality or continuous improvement/operationalexcellence leadership, ideally within the bulk/packaged/specialty gas,chemical, pharmaceutical, automotive, or
regulated manufacturing industry.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Master Blackbelt preferred), ASQ Certified Quality Manager or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) preferred.
Technical Knowledge: Deep knowledge of Lean Six Sigma , standard quality tools, and overall operational/organizational system design based upon prevention, performance management, root cause analysis and corrective action process, and quality metrics as a basis for continuous improvement. Knowledge of ISO9001, FSSC22000 and ISO17025.
Core Competencies
Strategic Thinking: Ability to link quality improvements to profitability and business strategy
Influence & Leadership: Proven capability to lead change and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority
Analytical Skills:Strong ability to analyze complex data (including use of statistics) to solve problems
Teaching Skills:Comfortable and dynamic teaching ability, especially with regards to Root Cause Analysis and Lean Six Sigma

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKINGCONDITIONS
Stationary Position - Occasionally
Move/Traverse - Occasionally
Stationary Position/Seated -Frequently
Transport/Lifting - Occasionally
Transport/Carrying - Occasionally
Exerting Force/Pushing -Occasionally
Exerting Force/Pulling - Rarely
Ascend/Descend - Occasionally
Balancing - Constantly
Position Self/StoopingOccasionally
Position Self/Kneeling -Occasionally
Position Self/Crouching -Occasionally
Position Self/Crawling -Occasionally
Reaching Occasionally
Handling - Frequently
Grasping -Frequently
Feeling - Occasionally
Communicate/Talking - Constantly
Communicate/Hearing - Constantly
Repetitive Motions - Frequently
Coordination - Occasionally

Travel Requirements
One (1) to two (2) weeks per month- Required travel to attend Senior Management Meetings, visit Quality teammembers, perform quality audits at NIPPON SANSO MATHESON locations, and attendcustomer meetings. International travel to Japan approximately 1-2 times peryear.

Nippon Sanso Matheson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that complies with the laws and regulations set forth under EEOC. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, Religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status, or disability. EOE AA M/F/VET/Disability