Position summary
The Director of Quality owns quality strategy and performance across every Astro Shapes plant. This leader sets one quality standard for extrusion, finishing, thermal barrier and fabrication, owns the Quality Management System and its certifications, and is the senior quality voice to customers. Success means fewer customer complaints, a lower cost of poor quality, and a quality culture where every operator owns the part they make.
Key responsibilities
- Set the company-wide quality strategy, goals and KPIs (customer PPM, complaints, scrap, cost of poor quality, on-time corrective action closure) and report results to the executive team.
- Own the Quality Management System and maintain ISO 9001 certification, including management review, internal audit program and external audits.
- Lead, develop and hold accountable the plant Quality Managers and their teams; build succession and training for every quality role.
- Standardize inspection, testing and release practices across plants for mill, painted, anodized and thermal-barrier product.
- Serve as the executive contact for customer quality: major complaints, customer audits, scorecards and customer-specific requirements.
- Lead structured problem solving (8D, root cause, CAPA) on significant or repeat issues and verify fixes hold.
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, Die Shop, Sales and EHS on new-part launches, process changes and capital decisions affecting quality.
- Own supplier quality for billet, paint, chemicals, thermal strut and packaging, including supplier audits and corrective action.
- Build quality data and reporting tools that give leaders real-time visibility into defects and trends.
- Manage the Quality department budget, lab equipment and calibration program.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science or related field.
- 10+ years of quality experience in heavy or metals manufacturing, including 5+ years leading quality teams across multiple sites.
- Proven ownership of an ISO 9001 quality system and customer and registrar audits.
- Strong command of problem-solving and statistical tools (8D, 5-Why, FMEA, SPC, MSA).
- Executive presence with customers and leadership; able to turn data into decisions.
Preferred
- Aluminum extrusion and finishing experience (paint, anodize, thermal barrier).
- Working knowledge of Aluminum Association standards and AAMA 2603/2604/2605 coating specifications.
- IATF 16949 or automotive core tools (APQP, PPAP) experience.
- ASQ CQM/OE, Six Sigma Black Belt, or Lead Auditor certification.
- Experience in a private-equity-backed, growth-focused company.
Work environment
Split between office and production floor; regular travel between local plants and occasional customer and supplier travel. Must follow all plant PPE and safety requirements.