Director of Quality-USA
3 days ago
Rochester
Job DescriptionDescription: About G&H G&H is a global leader in optical design, testing, and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H partners with customers in life sciences, industrial, aerospace, and defense markets to deliver optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications. Headquartered in Ilminster, Somerset, UK, with major operations across the United States and Europe, G&H is recognized for its excellence in acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber-optic, and precision-optic products. Our legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and integrity spans more than seventy-five years. Role Purpose The Director of Quality, USA serves as G&H’s senior functional leader for all Quality activities across U.S. operations. As a direct report to the SVP Global Quality & Compliance, this role is a key member of the Global Quality Leadership Team and is responsible for the performance, governance, compliance, and strategic direction of Quality across all U.S. sites. The role leads U.S. Quality Assurance, Product Assurance, and partners closely with Global Supplier Quality to ensure best-in-class product integrity, system compliance, customer satisfaction, operational performance, and continuous improvement. This individual will work proactively across the product lifecycle, from Commercial & NPI Gate reviews to end-to-end manufacturing, supplier interactions, and customer escalations to ensure that G&H consistently meets and exceeds customer and regulatory requirements. Scope & Key Interfaces This role provides direct leadership to all U.S. site Quality Managers and works closely with: • SVP Global Quality & Compliance, • Director of Quality, UK, • Global Supplier Quality Manager, • Site General Managers (across all U.S. locations), • Operations, Engineering, NPI, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams, • Adhere to all G&H Quality, HS&E, operational, and compliance policies., • Role model G&H Values: Customer Focus, Integrity, Action, Unity, Precision. 1. Quality Leadership & Strategy • Develop and execute the U.S. Quality strategy aligned with global business objectives., • Lead all U.S. Quality Managers to drive consistent standards, performance expectations, and capability development across sites., • Prepare and manage U.S. Quality budgets, investments, and resource planning., • Lead U.S. participation in global Quality leadership routines, contributing data, insights, risks, and opportunities., • Serve as a trusted advisor to site leadership and division leaders on quality performance, system requirements, and operational improvement. 2. Quality Systems & Regulatory Compliance • Oversee the governance, maintenance, and continuous improvement of U.S. Business Management Systems., • Ensure compliance with applicable standards: AS9100, ISO9001, ISO13485, FDA, and other customer-specific or regulatory requirements., • Drive U.S. internal audit planning, execution, and timely closure of findings., • Ensure that new and existing certifications are achieved, retained, and robustly supported across sites. 3. Product Assurance & Continuous Improvement • Lead initiatives to reduce Scrap, Rework, Return Rates, and COPQ., • Strengthen and standardize RCA, MRB, CAPA, and problem-solving methodologies across U.S. operations., • Ensure proactive Quality engagement at all Commercial and NPI Gate reviews., • Identify and implement multi-site improvement projects in collaboration with Operations and Engineering., • Ensure robust calibration processes and equipment readiness across all U.S. facilities. 4. Customer & Supplier Engagement • Serve as the U.S. escalation point for customer quality concerns, ensuring timely and accurate responses and prevention-based solutions., • Partner with Global Supplier Quality on supplier audits, risk management, and performance improvement activities., • On-Time Delivery (quality impact), • Customer Return Rates & Complaints, • Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), • Internal & External Audit Performance, • Certification Compliance, • Supplier Quality Performance (in partnership with Global SQM), • Degree-level Engineering or technical qualification preferred., • 7+ years of Quality leadership experience in Aerospace & Defense, Medical Device, or highly regulated manufacturing., • Strong expertise in AS9100, ISO9001, ISO13485, and relevant regulatory frameworks., • Proven continuous improvement and problem-solving capability (8D, DMAIC, etc.)., • Strong leadership skills with experience developing teams in fast-paced, matrixed environments., • Exceptional communication, influencing, and executive presentation skills., • High emotional intelligence, strong judgment, and calm decision-making under pressure., • Pragmatic, solutions-oriented, and proactive., • Strong ability to challenge constructively and influence across all levels. This job description reflects the core purpose and responsibilities of the position. Additional tasks may be assigned based on business needs. Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates. Certain positions at G&H involve access to export-controlled information and are subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employment eligibility for such roles is determined based on legal authorization requirements and not on nationality or protected characteristics. Requirements: