Quality Director, DCC Division

Position Summary:

Steel & O’Brien Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of stainless steel flow control components, is rapidly expanding in the Data Center Cooling (DCC) market by providing liquid cooling equipment and infrastructure for hyperscale and colocation facilities. The Quality Director, DCC Division, will lead and standardize the Quality function across multiple manufacturing sites supporting our Data Center Cooling (DCC) business. Based in Cincinnati, OH, this is a newly created role added as part of our business expansion. The role is responsible for quality strategy, systems, compliance, and performance across sites in Cincinnati, OH; Arcade, NY; Caledonia, MN; and Osceola, WI.

This leader will ensure consistent execution quality and regulatory standards, drive continuous improvement initiatives, enhance customer satisfaction, and build a high-performing, data-driven quality organization aligned with operational and commercial objectives in a growing, fast-paced manufacturing environment..

Primary Responsibilities:

Quality Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-site quality strategy aligned with DCC division goals.
• Standardize quality systems, policies, procedures, and metrics across all sites.
• Build, mentor, and lead site Quality Managers and staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer focus.

Quality Management System (QMS)

• Maintain and continuously improve the ISO-9001 certified Quality Management System.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with ISO-9001 requirements at applicable sites.
• Lead internal and external audits, including registrar audits.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and systemic root cause analysis.

Operational Quality

• Establish KPIs to monitor performance (PPM, COPQ, scrap, rework, warranty, supplier quality, audit findings).
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to improve process capability and product reliability.
• Oversee APQP, FMEA, control plans, and process validation as applicable.
• Lead problem-solving initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and structured methodologies.
• Support continuous growth through the implementation of new quality tools and technologies.

Customer & Supplier Quality

• Act as executive escalation point for major customer quality issues.
• Lead customer audits and support key account quality requirements.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to ensure supplier quality performance and development.
• Drive warranty reduction and field quality improvement efforts.
• Drive process maturity improvements within the quality management system as identified from audit or improvement opportunities.

Continuous Improvement

• Implement data-driven quality dashboards and reporting.
• Drive reduction of Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and process simplification.
• Champion cross-site best practice sharing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Primary Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution.
• High accountability and results orientation.
• Strong communicator across executive and plant-level teams.
• Change agent capable of driving cultural transformation.
• Collaborative, cross-functional influencer.
• Process oriented and data driven
• Willingness and track record of operating in a “hands-on” capacity
• Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills, with ability to gain followership with the broad workforce
• Comfortable with multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment
• Team player – willing to jump in and help whenever it is needed
• Ability to self-motivate and meet deadlines
• Curious and persistent with excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Proficient with software for business and project management and ERP
• Strong analytical skills and ability to apply statistical concepts

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related field.
• 10 years of progressive quality leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong working knowledge and hands-on experience with ISO-9001 and fluid processing applications in FDA regulated production environments, including 3A, BPE, and USP

• Experience leading internal and external audits.
• Demonstrated success driving quality improvements across complex, multi-site operations.
• Six Sigma Black Belt and other Quality or CI-related certifications are a plus
• Experience in the data center industry is a plus
• Able to perform the physical demands of the job including:
  • Ability to safely navigate a manufacturing environment including some extended periods of standing and walking
  • Ability to lift up to 15 lbs
  • Ability to use office, phone and computer equipment
  • Extended periods of sitting and using computer equipment
  • Ability to travel by air and car

Culture:

• Actively work to create strong communication and a healthy working environment
• Communicate in a positive manner with all employees
• Respectfully listen to concerns and ideas brought to your attention
• Support and participate in company functions
• Respect confidentiality
• Embody our values of Integrity, Trust, Creativity and Courage, Teamwork, and Excellence

Attendance Requirements: Attendance on a regular, consistent basis is mandatory.

Accommodations: If you need a reasonable accommodation under the ADA or other state or federal law to perform the essential job functions as listed above, you may request an accommodation in the interview process.

Salary Range: $165K - $195K