What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Quality position at Colson Group?
Job Title
US Director of Quality
Company
Colson Group USA
Reports to
VP Of Operations
Reporting Roles
Dotted reporting lines - Quality Managers and Quality Teams of Colson USA Operations
Objectives of the role
T he U.S. Director of Quality leads all Quality Assurance activities for the Colson USA Group, helping guide the organization’s strategic direction by developing and driving quality objectives supported by key performance indicators. The primary focus of this role is to ensure that Colson USA consistently meets customer requirements, both domestically and internationally.
This position requires strong strategic thinking and planning, along with expertise across the entire product development lifecycle. The Director must promote a culture of quality ownership, ensuring quality is embedded from the outset of every process.
As a natural progression from a QA Manager role, the Director is expected to have a proven track record of building and leading QA teams, as well as managing their direction and performance. Acting as a mentor, the Director provides leadership, training, and performance evaluation for the quality team.
This is a hands-on leadership role, with the Director actively involved in operations and often leading quality initiatives directly on the manufacturing floor.
The Director is also responsible for improving process standards by analyzing operational data and applying structured problem-solving methods. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as the role involves direct engagement with customers to address quality concerns, investigate issues, and clearly communicate corrective actions.
Additionally, the U.S. Director of Quality leads customer complaint review meetings and ensures all CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) responses are thoroughly validated before being issued to customers.
Key Areas of Responsibility
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Establishes quality and reliability standards by studying product and consumer requirements with other members of management and with production operators, technicians, and engineers.
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Establishes raw material standards by studying manufacturing and engineering requirements; conferring and negotiating with suppliers; devising testing methods and procedures.
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Establishes in-process product inspection standards by studying manufacturing methods; devising testing methods and procedures.
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Establishes standards for the disposition of finished product by devising evaluation tests, methods, and procedures.
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Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to optimize manufacturing processes, reduce defects, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to prevent recurrence of quality issues.
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Establishes product quality documentation system by writing and updating quality assurance procedures.
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Maintains product quality by enforcing quality assurance policies and procedures and collaborating with other members of management to develop new product and engineering designs and manufacturing and training methods.
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Prepares product and process quality reports by collecting, analysing, and summarizing information and trends.
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Completes quality assurance operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees; following up on work results.
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Ability to solve process problems crossing multiple functional areas and business units
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Maintains quality assurance staff competency by coaching, and counselling quality team employees.
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Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
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Achieves financial objectives by preparing the quality assurance budget; scheduling expenditures; analysing variances; initiating corrective actions.
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Ability to analyze problems, draw relevant conclusions, and devise and implement an appropriate plan of action
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Owner of PPAP, SIP, PQP, APQP, Cpk, GR&R; Processes
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Analyze customer complaints and warranty claims. Identify causes and responsibilities and initiate corrective action with the wider operations teams
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Develop QC plans and manufacturing quality plans as required;
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Develops & drives quality objectives through the use of KPI’s that align with operating objectives
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Supports New Product Introduction and Development
Key Working Relationships
Internal
External
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VP of Global Quality and Safety
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China Director of Quality
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VP of Operations
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Global Sourcing Director - China
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Plant Managers & Local Operations Teams
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ISO Auditors
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Quality Managers & Local Quality Teams
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VP of Global Sourcing
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Product and MFG Engineering Teams
Knowledge/experience/skills/personal attributes
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
1
ISO9001:2015 Knowledge and Application
1
Skilled with capability in PPAP, SPC, FMEA
2
Strong People Management, Strong work ethic and positive team attitude
2
Health Safety and Environmental Awareness
3
Analyzing Information
3
Ability to use ERP Systems
4
Reporting Research Results
4
Technical understanding of Quality application within a castor manufacturing organization
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Promotes Process Improvement
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Six Sigma Training/LEAN Manufacturing
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Gives Strategic Quality Direction
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Has Operational Background and understands the application of quality in process
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Ability to create and review technical documentation, including project plans, test procedures, and design documents;
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Able to develop, review, and maintain metrics and quality audits
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Dealing with Complexity and Problem Solving Methodology
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Proficient Microsoft Office skills with exceptional analytical and data representation expertise; Advanced Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills