Director of Quality & Process Improvement

Onsite | North Carolina Relocation Assistance Available

$110,000 – $120,000 base + 20% bonus

Position Overview

Growing advanced manufacturing organization is seeking a Director of Quality & Process Improvement to lead quality strategy and operational excellence across a multi-facility manufacturing environment supporting automotive and industrial customers

This role is responsible for maintaining certification compliance, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring consistent product quality across facilities operating in a highly regulated, audit-driven environment. The Director will work closely with production, procurement, and customer-facing teams to strengthen processes, reduce waste, and enhance operational

consistency.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Lead and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with ISO 9001 standards
• Manage customer, internal, and third-party audits to maintain required certifications
• Support advancement toward IATF 16949 and emerging EU automotive quality standards
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements across Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive supply chains
• Partner with procurement on supplier and raw material quality audits

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Drive Lean and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations
• Partner directly with production leadership to improve workflows, reduce waste, and increase efficiency
• Harmonize product and process standards across multiple facilities to ensure consistent output regardless of production location
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, and cross-functional improvement projects
• Support cost savings initiatives through process optimization

Metrics & Performance Management

• Develop and manage KPIs including non-conforming material, production performance, and waste reduction metrics
• Utilize data to guide operational decisions and improvement priorities
• rack and report quality and operational performance trends

Required Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of quality leadership experience within manufacturing
• Experience working in ISO-certified environments (ISO 9001 required)
• Strong background managing audits, certifications, and quality systems
• Demonstrated success driving process improvement initiatives
• Experience working directly with customers on quality and compliance matters
• Ability to collaborate closely with production teams in a hands-on environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive manufacturing experience (Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier environment strongly preferred)
• Experience with PPAP, IMDS, or similar automotive quality processes
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certifications (CQE, CQA, Black Belt, etc.)
• Experience in nonwovens, textiles, or materials manufacturing environments.