QUALITY DIRECTOR

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide direction to maintain and enforce the Safety Program, Policies, Rules & Requirements and the Quality Standards, Systems and Procedures, including oversight of training and assessment of training needs. Enforce compliance with ISO 14000, ISO-TS 16949, IATF, ISO-50001etc. Monitor the activities of the Quality personnel, make recommendations for the implementation of programs to improve the training and development of personnel. Educate management in Quality including applicable laws, standards, requirements, policies and procedures. Maintain relations and communication with appropriate government agencies, external agencies and customers on Quality matters. Oversee the Quality Information Systems and record keeping and the monthly preports are published to Hutchinson Corporate. Work with Engineering, Purchasing, Industrialization, Human Resources, Maintenance and Manufacturing in establishing and practicing specific Quality, Safety and Environmental requirements based upon legal requirements, customer requirements and needs, function of product, its reliability, manufacturability – including process and equipment capability and maintain, value, environmental impact, and safety of manufacturing and handling – including ergonomics. Develop and initiate efficient methods for regular reporting to keep the President and executives informed on the status and progress of Quality programs and initiatives. Review new and revised designs, including review of engineering prototype evaluation. Recommend improvements that increase product uniformity, reliability and improve quality characteristics to reduce field failures and complaints. Recommend improvements for simplifying control of the manufacturing processes and for evaluating quality, thereby, reducing costs. Assist with establishing and defining those standards procedures essential product and process quality, safety, and reliability. Assure adequate delineation of quality requirements to suppliers through Purchasing and Supplier Quality. Advise with the designation of quality characteristics to be measured, methods and procedures for performing quality evaluations, and required inspection and test equipment. Oversee evaluations of current and new supplier facilities and their systems for controlling quality. Assist in diagnosing and provide technical help as required, including analysis of facts to establish the nature of the problem solution and action by the appropriate resource. Review customer portals for site status as required for both Grand Rapids and Cadillac. Analyze elements of quality costs and provide input as a basis for initiating positive action in the areas of prevention, appraisal and failure for overall reduction in quality costs. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Degreed in a technical field or equivalent experience. BS in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering along with 5 years of Management experience is preferred. Management experience leading large groups. 10 years experience that includes a combination of: Manufacturing experience with the three years directly related to Anti-Vibration Systems or related systems is required Quality Management experience, with the three years directly related to automotive supply. Must have a solid background in automotive quality management systems requirements. Experience working directly with customers. A proven track record of accomplishment directing manufacturing activities to meet the requirements of Automotive OEM customers and with respect to scrap reduction programs and problem solving techniques.