Director of Quality and Metallurgy

Job Summary

The Director of Quality & Metallurgical Engineering leads enterprise-wide product quality, metallurgical integrity, regulatory compliance, and quality system effectiveness across Carlton Forge Works. This role oversees Quality Assurance, Inspection, Metallurgical Engineering, Certifications, and MRB activities to ensure products meet customer, industry, and regulatory requirements. The Director drives a zero-defect culture, strengthens system discipline, and eliminates escapes through strong technical oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead Quality, Inspection, Metallurgical Engineering, Certifications, and MRB functions.
• Develop and execute quality and metallurgical strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Build organizational capability and foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
  
  

Product Quality

• Maintain single-point accountability for delivered product quality.
• Drive reductions in customer escapes, nonconformances, scrap, and rework.
• Ensure customer quality requirements are consistently met and exceeded.
• Serve as the escalation authority for critical quality issues.
  
  

Metallurgical Engineering and Technical Authority

• Lead the Metallurgical Engineering organization responsible for material conformance, process validation, and failure analysis.
• Provide technical oversight of material review, disposition, and metallurgical decision-making.
• Serve as the company's technical authority for metallurgical and material-related matters.
  
  

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the Quality Management System (AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP and applicable regulatory standards).
• Ensure compliance with all customer requirements, applicable regulatory and certification requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits, inspections, and certifications.
• Establish and maintain quality policies, procedures, and documentation.
  
  

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to improve quality, process capability, throughput, and manufacturing performance.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, root cause corrective action, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Reduce Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through data-driven decision-making and process improvement.
  
  

Business Performance & Organizational Development

• Establish and monitor key quality and metallurgical performance metrics.
• Provide executive-level reporting on quality performance, risks, and improvement initiatives.
• Develop organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and workforce engagement.
• Manage departmental resources to support business objectives and long-term growth.
  
  

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Quality Management, or related field required.
• Master’s degree (MBA or technical discipline) preferred.
  
  

Experience

• 5 years of progressive experience in quality and metallurgical management, including 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in forging, aerospace metals and heavy manufacturing
• Proven track record of leading quality organizations, metallurgical or materials engineering teams and MRB/Nonconformance systems
• Strong expertise in Metallurgical and material processes
• Experience with regulatory and compliance standards (eg. AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP).
• Demonstrated success in improving product quality and reducing escapes and defects
• Ability to operate at a strategic level
• Strong communication and decision-making skills