Director of Quality Assurance

Job Description

Job Description

Position is located in the Brainerd Lakes Area. 400 Lakes within 40 miles with miles of mountain biking and hundreds of holes of golf out your doorstep.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality Director is the executive owner of the manufacturing Quality Management System (QMS) and is fully accountable for its performance, integrity, and financial impact on the organization. Reporting directly to the President, this role holds enterprise-wide authority over quality standards, compliance, audit governance, corrective action systems, and supplier quality to ensure operational consistency, regulatory adherence, and sustained profitability. The Quality Director leads and develops the Quality teams while driving cross-functional accountability for quality performance across Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales, and Operations. Success in this role is measured not only by compliance outcomes, but by measurable improvements in margin protection, scrap and rework reduction, audit performance, customer retention, and systemic process discipline. The Quality Director is expected to exercise decisive leadership, structured accountability, and strong business judgment in executing company strategy and advancing Pequot’s commitment to Quality, Service, and Profit (QSP).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Own the enterprise Quality Management System (QMS) – Maintain full authority and accountability for the design, performance, compliance, and continuous improvement of the QMS to ensure operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and protection of company profitability.

• Drive Quality as a Profit Lever – Establish and execute quality strategies that reduce scrap, rework, warranty exposure, customer chargebacks, and operational inefficiencies, directly contributing to margin protection and earnings performance.

• Lead Internal Audit and Compliance Governance – Direct the internal audit program and ensure sustained compliance with ISO standards, regulatory requirements, and customer-specific mandates; serve as the company authority during external audits.

• Control Corrective Action Systems – Own and enforce the NCMR, PAR, CAR, and RMA processes, ensuring timely containment, root cause resolution, systemic prevention, and measurable reduction in recurring defects.

• Develop and Lead the Quality Organization – Build, coach, and hold accountable the Quality team; establish performance standards, conduct evaluations, and exercise authority regarding hiring, role assignments, promotions, and corrective action.

• Own Supplier Quality & Risk Management – Establish supplier qualification, evaluation, and certification standards to ensure purchased materials and services meet company quality and cost expectations.

• Gatekeeper of Order Integrity – Exercise quality authority during Order Review to ensure manufacturability, compliance, risk mitigation, and alignment with internal capability and profitability targets.

• Standardize Regulatory Compliance – Define, implement, and train on company-wide compliance processes to reduce risk exposure and maintain regulatory integrity.

• Report and Act on Quality Metrics – Establish meaningful KPIs tied to financial impact; regularly report risk, trends, and corrective strategy to executive leadership.

• Enterprise Quality Leadership – Partner cross-functionally to embed quality ownership throughout Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales, and Operations, ensuring quality is integrated—not inspected in—across the organization.

• Executive Project Accountability – Lead or support strategic initiatives and special projects as directed by the President, Owners, or Board, with clear accountability for defined outcomes.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Competency Statement(s)

· Leadership – Ability to set a positive example, motivate staff, and guide teams toward quality outcomes.

· Management Skills – Ability to prioritize, delegate, and deliver results effectively.

· Analytical Thinking – Ability to use reasoning and data-driven insights to solve problems.

· Communication – Clear, concise, and professional communication, both verbal and written.

· Adaptability – Ability to function effectively in a changing work environment.

· Consensus Building – Ability to foster teamwork and collaboration across departments.

· Relationship Building – Establishes rapport and maintains productive working relationships with coworkers, suppliers, and customers.

· Judgment & Integrity – Makes sound decisions, demonstrates trustworthiness, and upholds ethical standards.

· Change Management – Encourages innovative thinking and improvement-oriented approaches.

· Technical Aptitude – Understands and applies complex technical and regulatory requirements.

· Working Under Pressure – Maintains accuracy and focus under deadlines and challenging circumstances.

Education

Bachelor's Degree (four-year college or university) or work experience deemed to be equivalent.

Experience

A minimum of five years of work experience in Quality Assurance or closely related field, preferably within a manufacturing job shop environment.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Computer Skills

Proficient with PC-based computers and programs including MS Word, Excel, Power Point and programs such as Visio and use of the internet.

Certificates & Licenses

Certifications related to Quality Management, Quality Assurance or Quality Control Inspection is preferred.

Other Requirements

Knowledge of and experience with quality standards such as ISO9001:2008 & AS9100 are preferred.

Company DescriptionBrainerd Lakes Economic Development Corporation is helping to hire this position for a member company. We work with companies in our area to help them expand and grow in MN.

Company Description

Brainerd Lakes Economic Development Corporation is helping to hire this position for a member company. We work with companies in our area to help them expand and grow in MN.