Director of Quality

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Director of Quality for a direct hire opportunity with one of our clients, a chemical manufacturing company in Portland, OR. If you’re passionate about bringing the latest scientific discoveries to life and are ready to take the next step in your career, trust The Experts at Hiring Experts.

About our client

They are an industry leader in high-purity specialty chemicals, driving innovation in Portland’s advanced manufacturing sector. Their products empower the world’s top semiconductor, technology, and chemical process industries. With unwavering dedication to safety, precision, and innovation, they set rigorous standards for quality and reliability—helping our customers achieve breakthroughs.

At their organization, your expertise becomes their greatest asset. Their collaborative culture champions daily excellence and growth, giving every team member the chance to thrive. Join their team and help shape the technological future—from Oregon to the world—while advancing your career in one of Portland’s most dynamic industries.

Position title: Director of Quality

Position type: Direct hire

Salary range: 160,000-190,000/year

Workplace: Onsite in Portland, OR

We are seeking a visionary Director of Quality to lead our Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and Quality Management System (QMS) functions—establishing world-class practices across high-purity chemical manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Build the next chapter of our quality culture, embedding operational discipline and uncompromising standards into every process.
• Inspire, coach, and elevate cross-functional teams, promoting a “quality in everything, always” mindset.
• Make your mark on both strategic vision and hands-on execution, driving transformation and modeling leadership from laboratory to production floor.
• If you excel at driving change, thrive in high-impact environments, and are skilled at building quality-first cultures, we want to connect with you.

What You’ll Achieve

Lead Quality Transformation

• Advance SOP-centered practices, driving process discipline for compliance, consistency, and safety.
• Unite laboratory precision with production excellence, collaborating with operations to ensure flawless execution in every critical task.
• Serve as the catalyst for a major procedural and cultural shift, leading comprehensive change initiatives.

Direct Best-in-Class QA/QC

• Oversee all verification, testing, and documentation for ultra-high-purity chemicals—meeting exacting part-per-trillion standards.
• Take charge as the escalation point for non-conformances, CAPAs, and root cause analysis of complex quality issues.
• Ensure all products meet stringent internal, customer, and regulatory requirements.

Build Robust Quality Management Systems

• Develop, refine, and maintain an audit-ready QMS in line with ISO, SEMI, NFPA, OSHA, and other standards.
• Establish advanced KPIs and dashboards for proactive quality performance and early issue prevention.

Guide Change and Safeguard Risk

• Lead the lifecycle of change—from risk assessment and validation to training and post-implementation monitoring—within a complex chemical production environment.
• Chair cross-functional review meetings to address safety, regulatory, and operational impacts.

Champion a Culture of Quality

• Demonstrate hands-on leadership, mentoring teams and instilling accountability for quality at every level.
• Use your chemical engineering expertise to connect technical requirements to daily practice.
• Inspire ownership and pride in delivering world-class chemical products to global customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s (Master’s preferred) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Life Sciences.
• 12 years’ progressive experience in quality for manufacturing/chemical industries, with 5 years leading teams.
• Proven success in process standardization, QMS development, and leading transformational change.
• Deep knowledge of ISO 9001, SEMI, NFPA, OSHA, and cleanroom protocols.
• Collaborative, motivating leadership with outstanding communication skills.
• Driven by a growth mindset and entrepreneurial approach.

Preferred: Experience in ISO, Lean, Six Sigma, and regulatory programs.

Why Join Us—and Portland?

• Lead a company-wide quality transformation with strong executive backing.
• Collaborate with diverse teams—operations, engineering, sales—right in Portland’s thriving tech and manufacturing community.
• Work with advanced technology products at the cutting edge of high-purity chemical solutions for global markets.
• Enjoy competitive rewards: industry-leading pay, generous FTO, paid holidays, top-tier health benefits, tuition reimbursement, and more.
• Make your mark— in our company, and across Portland’s vibrant industry scene.

Ready to lead the future of quality? Apply now and ignite your career in Portland’s advanced chemical manufacturing sector.