Director of Quality

About Stainless Foundry & Engineering, Inc.

Stainless Foundry & Engineering, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality stainless steel castings and components, serving diverse industries including aerospace, defense, nuclear, and commercial sectors. With over 50 years of experience, the company has established itself as a trusted partner for its customers, delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service in a job shop environment.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Stainless Foundry & Engineering, Inc. operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities that employ the latest technologies and processes to ensure the highest levels of quality and efficiency. The company's commitment to continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles has enabled it to maintain a competitive edge in the market, particularly in the steel casting and forging industry.

Stainless Foundry & Engineering, Inc. takes pride in its skilled workforce, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. The company invests heavily in employee training and development, ensuring that its team members have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry. With a strong emphasis on safety, environmental responsibility, and ethical business practices, Stainless Foundry & Engineering, Inc. has earned a reputation as a responsible corporate citizen. The company is dedicated to maintaining strong customer relationships and continuously improving its image in the industry.

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Position Summary

The Director of Quality role at Stainless Foundry & Engineering, Inc. is a critical position responsible for overseeing and ensuring the highest standards of quality across all manufacturing processes and products. This role will lead the company's quality assurance and compliance efforts, with a strong focus on "big C" compliance experience in nuclear, military, commercial, and aerospace/defense sectors.

The Director of Quality will be responsible for developing and implementing robust quality management systems, policies, and procedures that align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. They will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify and address quality issues, optimize processes, and drive cost-effective solutions in a job shop environment with varying product lines and materials.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Quality will play a pivotal role in shaping the company's quality strategy, setting performance targets, and ensuring compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations, including ISO certifications and Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) compliance.

They will also be responsible for building and leading a team of about 10 people, including both salaried and hourly employees. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, especially for customer-facing interactions, and the ability to rebuild customer relationships and improve the company's image. This role requires a systems-oriented mindset, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive process improvements in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive quality management system (QMS) aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance across all manufacturing processes and products.
• Lead and oversee the quality assurance and compliance functions, including inspection, testing, and auditing activities, to ensure product conformance and adherence to specifications in nuclear, military, commercial, and aerospace/defense sectors.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, engineering, and operations, to identify and address quality issues, optimize processes, and drive cost-effective solutions in a job shop environment.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to address quality issues and prevent recurrence.
• Manage and lead the quality team of approximately 10 people, including both salaried and hourly employees, providing guidance, training, and development opportunities to ensure a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics to measure and track quality performance, identify areas for improvement, and drive data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards, regulations, and customer requirements, including ISO certifications, Pressure Equipment Directive (PED), and customer-specific quality standards.
• Represent the quality function in cross-functional meetings and discussions, providing expert guidance and recommendations on quality-related matters.
• Manage and oversee the supplier quality program, including supplier evaluation, qualification, and monitoring processes, to ensure the quality of incoming materials and components.
• Participate in new product development and design review processes, ensuring quality considerations are integrated from the initial stages of product design and development.
• Conduct internal and external quality audits, including ISO audits, to assess compliance with quality standards, identify areas for improvement, and ensure the effectiveness of the quality management system.
• Manage and oversee the calibration and maintenance of quality control equipment and instruments, ensuring accurate and reliable measurements and testing.
• Develop and deliver quality-related training programs for employees across various functions, promoting a culture of quality awareness and continuous improvement.
• Represent the company in external quality-related forums, conferences, and industry associations, staying abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in quality management for the steel and casting industry.
• Manage and oversee the quality budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and cost-effective quality initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for the Director of Quality role at Stainless Foundry & Engineering, Inc. should possess the following qualities and experiences:

• Strong compliance (big C) experience in nuclear, military, commercial, and aerospace/defense sectors
• Extensive knowledge of various compliance regulations and standards
• Proven experience in quality assurance and compliance management
• Strong communication skills, especially for customer-facing interactions
• Experience in manufacturing, preferably in the steel industry (casting or forging)
• Systems-oriented mindset
• Managerial experience leading teams of 10 or more people
• Background in similar foundry or steel industry
• Commitment to long-term career growth within the company
• Strong problem-solving skills for quality issues and process improvements
• Experience with ISO audits and certifications
• Ability to rebuild customer relationships and improve company image
• Adaptability to work in a dynamic job shop environment
• Experience with Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) compliance
• Continuous improvement mindset

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or related field (Master's degree preferred)
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in quality management roles, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership position
• Proven experience in the steel manufacturing industry, preferably in casting or forging
• Extensive knowledge of quality management systems and compliance requirements for nuclear, military, commercial, and aerospace/defense sectors
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or similar professional certification
• Experience with ISO 9001 and other relevant ISO standards
• Familiarity with Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) compliance
• Strong understanding of statistical process control (SPC) and Six Sigma methodologies
• Experience with quality management software and data analysis tools
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Knowledge of industry-specific regulations and standards (e.g., ASME, ASTM, API)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and quality management software

This job has been posted by NextGen on behalf of Stainless Foundry & Engineering. NextGen is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. It is the policy of NextGen not to discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex and gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.