Americas Quality Manager

About Smiths Interconnect:

Smiths Interconnect, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance interconnect solutions. Our products are used in mission-critical applications across industries such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and industrial markets. At Smiths Interconnect, we are committed to innovation, quality, and providing cutting-edge solutions that connect the world’s most demanding systems.

Smiths Interconnect is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient and productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defense, space & aerospace and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs c.16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries. 

Americas Quality Manager responsible for quality function across the Americas. Develop and drive strategies for quality improvements for both internal and external customers, as well as suppliers.  Incumbent will partner with other leaders in the business to ensure that the strategy is fully aligned, understood, communicated, and implemented at all Americas sites. The successful candidate should have experience in a multi-site organization in both influencing direction and management. The incumbent will supervise 3+ quality professionals.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with the Global Quality Director, determine the objectives, targets and goals for the Americas Quality staff to support and deliver value aligned to strategic initiatives.
• Measures progress and identifies / takes the necessary actions when objectives, targets and / or goals are not met.
• Lead the identification and execution of team activities / resources required to support strategies / initiatives.
• Drive dedicated focus on continuous improvements in business performance in areas of Quality, Cost, Lead-time and Delivery.
• Provide leadership to their team in the areas of systems, processes, and tools.
• Support the integration of lessons learned into global systems and processes wherever possible.
• Support enhancements to global systems, processes and tools to support changing / evolving global needs / requirements.
• Participate in development of global systems, processes and tools ensuring that market sector and site requirements / needs have been considered and incorporated wherever possible.
• Drive continuous improvement in site · Support deployment of global systems, processes and tools.
• Provide systems assessment support as needed.
• Identify existing and future resource needs for the site to support strategies and future needs.
• Support enhancements to global systems, processes and tools to support changing / evolving global needs / requirements.
• Drive compliance to established global systems, processes and tools.
• Measure conformance and initiates actions when non-conformances are identified.
• Ensure the timely and effective communication of changes / enhancements to Interconnect requirements / expectations
• Facilitate, coach, and mentor site quality and operational teams on Root Cause Analysis and effective corrective and preventive actions processes.
• Manage and maintain quality performance metrics at site.
• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to site staff including: Identification of targets, goals and objectives for the team as well as individual team members.
• Identify training and development needs for each direct report. Create and execute training plans, addressing the needs identified.
• Conduct effective Employee Appraisals in compliance with global HR processes with the aim of improving employee performances.
• Conduct recruitment, selection, deployment, leadership, coaching, mentoring, and development of Quality Staff, driving continuous improvement in resource efficiency and effectiveness within the global quality team.

The Individual:

• Experience required in multinational companies.
• Demonstrated performance in in multi-site, multi-national environments.
• Proven capability to lead cross functional teams in problem solving, process improvements, and solution implementation.
• Experience in supplier development and management is desirable.
• AS 9100 Knowledge critical for success.
• Knowledgeable and hands on experience in the application of Lean and Six Sigma including at least some of the following tools: · Value Stream Mapping, Cpk/Ppk, GR&R, SPC, Control Plans, Sampling Plans, Kaizen, 5S, Statistical Analysis, SMED, 5 why’s, Root Cause analysis, 8D, VOC, QFD, Error Proofing, Robust Design, FMEA, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, etc.
• Experience and familiarity with Performance / Process Excellence and Built In Quality models is highly desirable, as are formal Lean and 6-sigma certifications.
• Bachelor’s degree in Quality or a Technical Discipline (i.e. IE, EE, ME, QE).
• Master Degree in relevant discipline is preferred.
• 5 to 10 years Quality / Operations / Engineering experience in management role in a world-class manufacturing setting, with demonstrated success in both quality leadership and business process excellence.
• Additional certification such as BB/MBB, CQE, CQM, and / or ISO Lead Auditor is highly desirable.
• Proven problem solving skills and abilities required
• Experienced in working in Design area with Design Teams · Familiarity with and experience in applying Six Sigma methodologies required (qualified Green Belt / Black Belt preferred)
• Bilingual preferences: English, French · Travel: domestic up to 15%.
• Impact and Scope: Lead France site to drive improvements in KPIs and improve overall customer satisfaction. Key Internal and External Relationships: Partnering with Plant Management, Sales, Engineering and Marketing to improve manufacturing and business processes.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)