Job Details

Job Title: Manufacturing Quality Leader

This is a direct hire role with the client.

Location - Fargo ND (relocation assistance available)

Role Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic Manufacturing Quality Leader to drive quality excellence within our manufacturing operations. The client is looking for a leader managing and developing complex quality organizations. This role is responsible for developing and executing strategic quality initiatives, enhancing technical capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in quality leadership within manufacturing environments, with a proven ability to build and develop high-performing quality teams.

Qualifications & Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Technology (Master's in Business or related field preferred).

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate and lead Site Leadership team in setting aggressive Quality goals for new and existing products
• Assess gaps in capabilities of core Quality Technical skills of the engineers and technicians involved in improvement, build and execute gap closure plans
• Identify and transfer best practices / regional-global standard work that drives high impact to reducing Customer quality issues, downtime, and profitability.
• Working as ONE TEAM with those responsible for Product Design, Process Design, and Customer Service drive aligned priorities and action plans to achieve goals for products produced at the site
• Site and GPP 'Compass Rooms' around development of 'Quality Lab' where we identify the top systemic issues and use root cause problem solving to drive permanent fixes leading to sustainable improvement results
• Site and GPP Monthly Operating Reviews focused on the quality of the systemic Root Cause Problem Solving and resource allocation.

Quality Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with global best practices.
• Lead cross-functional teams—including Product Design, Process Design, and Customer Service—to prioritize quality improvements and drive alignment on key initiatives.
• Facilitate the development of a Quality Lab to systematically identify, analyze, and resolve systemic quality issues using root cause problem-solving methodologies.

Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Implement and sustain a Daily Management System for Quality, incorporating key performance indicators (KPIs), structured problem-solving reviews, and a robust escalation process.
• Utilize Advanced Quality Planning (AQP) methodologies to accelerate quality improvements, including:
• Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA) for both Process and Design.
• Development and maintenance of Process Control Plans to ensure first-time quality.
• Implementation of mistake-proofing (Poka-Yoke) techniques and visual management to enhance process control.
• Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and calibration oversight to ensure data integrity.
• Compliance auditing and continuous improvement of quality processes.

Quality Control & Risk Mitigation

• Develop and implement inspection, testing, and containment strategies to minimize customer impact from defects.
• Drive process validation for new products and services, ensuring adherence to functional and design specifications at full production rates.
• Establish and maintain Living Control Plans to provide real-time quality feedback and enhance new product development.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Assess the technical competencies of engineers and technicians, identifying skill gaps and executing development plans.
• Foster a culture of quality ownership and accountability across all manufacturing operations.
• Lead site and Global Process & Product (GPP) Monthly Operating Reviews, ensuring systemic root cause problem-solving and proper resource allocation.

Professional & Technical Expertise:

• Demonstrated success in leading manufacturing quality organizations within a complex, highly engineered production environment with diverse SKUs.
• Strong expertise in Quality Planning, Root Cause Problem Solving, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing process validation, process control, and quality system development.
• Proven ability to drive quality transformation initiatives, improve process efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Critical Leadership Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across functions, fostering a one-team mindset.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills to build organizational capability.
• Exceptional communication skills with a proactive and results-oriented mindset.