Swagelok

Manufactures industrial fluid systems and services

Director of Quality

Quality Engineering +1Updated on Nov 13

Full-timeFremont, CA, USA$196.4k - $294.6k /yr

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
At least 8 years of progressive Quality experience in a manufacturing environment with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or at least 5 years with a master’s degree in a related discipline.
At least 3 years of Quality experience in a leadership or management role.
Ability to meet company vision standards following a conditional offer of employment.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds and handle parts and inspection tools.
Ability to distinguish colors while closely reviewing parts, blueprints, engineering drawings, and documentation.
Ability to use required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, in production and warehouse areas.

Responsibilities

Set the strategic direction for and lead the daily operation of the quality management system within the ISO and Swagelok Quality System framework.
Work with process owners and executive leadership to measure quality performance, own the Quality department’s budget and strategic plan, and ensure corrective and preventive actions address issues affecting quality objectives.
Oversee Quality Control Technicians and lead Quality associates in performing departmental tasks; represent the Quality function on the Operational Leadership team.
Prevent nonconforming product from reaching customers through proactive engagement with production associates.
Analyze quality data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Manage First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs).
Review internal and external engineering drawings, Bills of Materials, and Production Routings for accuracy and completeness.
Maintain ongoing communication and productive working relationships with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations so quality concerns and improvement opportunities are addressed promptly.
Prepare and lead Quality meetings, and provide daily status updates on Quality actions to Production Control and Operations.
Manage supplier Returned Material Authorization (RMA) and NCMR processes.
Lead continuous improvement activities within the Quality function and support cross-functional improvement efforts.
Perform root cause analysis (RCA), resolve quality problems, and manage corrective action reporting.
Manage Quality Control Technicians, providing on-the-floor guidance, direction, and work prioritization.
Verify that supplier-submitted documents meet customer requirements.
Write process descriptions and assembly and manufacturing instructions as needed.
Train associates within the Quality department on Quality Assurance processes and procedures.
Collaborate with the Supply Chain team to manage and improve supplier performance.
Provide technical support to customers and suppliers on quality-related matters.
Lead special projects and perform other duties as assigned to support Quality objectives.
Develop and own the annual Quality strategy, roadmap, and department budget in alignment with company goals and objectives.
Standardize Quality systems, policies, and best practices across all sites and functions.
Report Quality performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to executive leadership and the CEO.
Represent the Quality function in strategic planning, major customer and supplier negotiations, and cross-functional executive initiatives.
Benchmark Quality performance against industry standards and lead long-term continuous improvement initiatives.
Embed quality principles into decision-making, training, and daily operations across all departments and levels of the organization.
Interview, hire, onboard, and train new associates.
Lead, coach, and mentor associates to build technical capability, professional growth, and career development.
Maintain professional relationships with associates through consistent communication, trust, responsiveness, and attention to team engagement and performance.
Maintain consistent leadership practices and fairly apply company policies and procedures.
Translate company goals, expectations, and communications so associates understand and align with them.
Resolve conflicts and associate concerns using appropriate communication and escalation channels.
Oversee efficient and effective daily department operations.
Align the Quality department budget, supplier quality management, inspection resources, and operational execution.
Conduct regular performance conversations with associates, including reviews of department goals, key metrics, and individualized training plans aligned with position requirements.
Promote associate development through formal training, on-the-job learning, rotational assignments, and continuous development opportunities.
Establish performance expectations and monitor associate performance through regular feedback, coaching, and documented performance conversations.
Escalate performance concerns to the next-level supervisor and HR when improvement is not occurring within required timelines.
Maintain clear written documentation of performance and behavioral concerns to ensure fair and transparent supervision.
Administer associate operations, including workstation readiness, payroll coordination, vacation planning, training compliance, safety practices, and operational process control.
Participate in the leadership development program and model effective leadership behaviors.
Work on-site Monday through Friday at the Fremont office, with regular time on the production floor and in inspection and warehouse areas.
Travel occasionally, including overnight stays, to supplier, customer, and Swagelok facilities for audits, quality reviews, and corporate meetings.

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methods.
A bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a Quality-related discipline.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).

The Director of Quality (DOQ) sets the strategic direction for, and leads the daily operation of, our quality management system within the ISO and Swagelok Quality System framework. Working with process owners and executive leadership, the DOQ proactively measures quality performance, owns the Quality department’s budget and strategic plan, and ensures that corrective and preventive actions address issues affecting the achievement of our quality objectives. The DOQ oversees Quality Control Technicians and leads Quality associates in performing departmental tasks, and represents the Quality function on the organization’s Operational Leadership team.

Quality Assurance Responsibilities:

Prevent nonconforming product from reaching customers through proactive engagement with production associates.
Analyze quality data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Manage First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs).
Review internal and external engineering drawings, Bills of Materials, and Production Routings for accuracy and completeness.
Maintain ongoing communication and productive working relationships with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations so that quality concerns and improvement opportunities are addressed promptly.
Prepare and lead Quality meetings, and provide daily status updates on Quality actions to Production Control and Operations.
Manage the supplier Returned Material Authorization (RMA) and NCMR processes.
Lead continuous improvement activities within the Quality function and support cross-functional improvement efforts.
Perform root cause analysis (RCA), resolve quality problems, and manage corrective action reporting.
Manage Quality Control Technicians, providing on-the-floor guidance, direction, and work prioritization.
Verify that supplier-submitted documents meet customer requirements.
Write process descriptions and assembly and manufacturing instructions as needed.
Train associates within the Quality department on Quality Assurance processes and procedures.
Collaborate with the Supply Chain team to manage and improve supplier performance.
Provide technical support to customers and suppliers on quality-related matters.
Lead special projects and perform other duties as assigned to support Quality objectives.

Strategic Leadership Responsibilities:

Develop and own the annual Quality strategy, roadmap, and department budget in alignment with company goals and objectives.
Standardize Quality systems, policies, and best practices across all sites and functions.
Report Quality performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to executive leadership and the CEO.
Represent the Quality function in strategic planning, major customer and supplier negotiations, and cross-functional executive initiatives.
Benchmark Quality performance against industry standards and lead long-term continuous improvement initiatives.
Lead a company-wide quality culture by embedding quality principles into decision-making, training, and daily operations across all departments and levels of the organization.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Staffing & Team Leadership

Interview, hire, onboard, and train new associates.
Lead, coach, and mentor associates to build technical capability, professional growth, and career development.
Maintain strong, professional relationships with associates through consistent communication, trust, and responsiveness, recognizing that the manager-associate relationship is the foundation of team engagement and performance.
Maintain consistent leadership practices and fair application of company policies and procedures.
Translate company goals, expectations, and communications so associates clearly understand and align with them.
Resolve conflicts and associate concerns using appropriate communication and escalation channels.

Department Operations

Oversee the efficient and effective daily operations of the department.
Ensure alignment between the Quality department budget, supplier quality management, inspection resources, and operational execution.

Performance Management

Conduct regular performance conversations with associates, including review of department goals, key metrics, and individualized training plans aligned with position requirements.
Promote associate development by supporting technical, interpersonal, and educational growth through formal training, on-the-job learning, rotational assignments, and continuous development opportunities.
Establish performance expectations and monitor associate performance through regular feedback, coaching, and documented performance conversations.
Escalate performance concerns to the next-level supervisor and HR when improvement is not occurring within required timelines.
Maintain clear written documentation of performance and behavioral concerns to ensure fair and transparent supervision.

Associate Administration

Administer associate operations, including workstation readiness, payroll coordination, vacation planning, training compliance, safety practices, and operational process control.

Leadership Norms of Behavior

Executives, managers, and supervisors are expected to participate in our leadership development program and model the following behaviors:

Hold Crucial Conversations – Engage in effective dialogue when there are opposing opinions, high stakes, and strong emotions
Apply Financial Fluency – Continuously seek out ways to increase the gross margin per invoice and reduce the cost to serve.
Model Effective Interactions – Communicate effectively with both internal and external customers by being modifiable, inviting participation, and clearly stating intentions.
Employ Essentialism – Prioritize tasks that support the achievement of our vision, mission, and strategic plan while living our core values
Communicate with Radical Candor – Challenge Directly while caring personally to promote effectiveness and associate growth and development
Embrace the Power of Vulnerability – Create a culture where honest sharing of weaknesses, feelings, and experiences is recognized as an opportunity for growth, improved relationships, and better outcomes.
Align with Intrinsic Motivators – As much as possible, manage associates so that they have an appropriate amount of autonomy, can master a specific skill set, and are aligned with the broader purpose of the company.
Servant Leadership – Be of service to associates by removing obstacles and providing support that enables their success and well-being.

Work Environment & Travel

On-site position at our Fremont office, Monday–Friday.
Occasional travel, including overnight stays, to supplier, customer, and Swagelok facilities for audits, quality reviews, and corporate meetings.
Regular time on the production floor and in inspection and warehouse areas, working with associates and resolving quality issues.
Close visual review of parts, blueprints, engineering drawings, and documentation, including distinguishing colors.
Ability to meet company vision standards following a conditional offer of employment.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 lbs and handle parts and inspection tools.
Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, required in production and warehouse areas; moderate noise levels in production areas.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Skills & Competencies

Applies quality assurance tools and techniques; knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methods preferred.
Maintains effective document control practices consistent with ISO requirements.
Follows established procedures rigorously and models procedural discipline for the department.
Develops strategic plans and manages the department budget.
Communicates effectively with executive leadership and leads cross-functional initiatives.
Applies statistical analysis to identify trends and guide continuous improvement.
Reads, interprets, and critiques mechanical drawings.

Education & Work Experience
Required:

Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
Progressive Quality experience in a manufacturing environment:
- Minimum of 8 years with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or
- Minimum of 5 years with a master’s degree in a related discipline.
At least 3 years of that Quality experience in a leadership or management role.

Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a Quality-related discipline.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).

About the Company

Swagelok

Manufactures industrial fluid systems and services

Swagelok provides industrial fluid-system components and engineering services to contain, control, and transfer liquids and gases in critical applications. It designs and manufactures fittings, tubing, valves, hoses, sensors, and related hardware, backed by engineering support that tailors solutions to specific processes. It differentiates itself with a global, privately held, asset-light manufacturing and distribution network across 70 countries and a long track record since 1947, delivering broad product coverage and local support. Its goal is to meet evolving customer needs by delivering reliable products and services while investing in people, capabilities, and the supply chain for the benefit of customers, communities, and colleagues.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Solon, IA
Founded: 1965

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Swagelok

See more jobs