Quality Manager

Description
Position Purpose

The Quality Manager is responsible to build, lead, and improve a quality engineering organization and for the development and implementation of quality improvement strategies as well as the continuous improvement of quality systems and business processes that support a site or multiple small sites.

The incumbent generally reports to a Vice President Quality, Quality Director, or General Manager.

This position is a strong contributor to supporting and achieving site level organizational quality objectives.

The position involves collaboration with Directors and Managers to ensure the alignment of quality strategy, philosophy, systems and business practice and is relied upon to provide technical expertise in guiding design efforts, customer interactions, and other quality engineering related matters such as problem solving.
Essential Functions
Accountable for coordination and integration of quality assurance processes and procedures which may include the following areas: Government and Regulatory compliance (ISO,AS,TS, FAA, DCMA), Customer Quality Compliance, and internal quality procedural compliance
Drives robust Quality culture through continuous systemic improvements
Establishes and executes site level strategic quality plan to meet business objectives and customer expectations.

Supports business group level strategic quality plan
Develops and holds staff accountable for quality metrics that enable evaluation of progress to the site strategic plan and goals
Develops a highly effective and well skilled technical staff and supports the site regarding implementation of PLC, APQP, Lean, process capability/First Pass Yield and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting the maintenance of an effective Six Sigma System
Represents Woodward from the site or Business Group level to customers, potential customers, regulatory bodies through presentation and communication of the Quality Management System and quality strategies to meet or exceed customer expectations while providing advocacy
Accountable for effective Root Cause and Corrective Action within the site or business area/value streams for escapes (internal or customer) and ensures an effective internal and external corrective action process (timely and effective closures of Corrective Action Requests
– CAR's)
Report customer and internal quality metrics to management and other business segments as needed.

Drives with site or Business Group leadership, corrective action and problem solving to accelerate improvements
Stay abreast of current quality and regulatory trends and methodologies in the applicable industry and utilize this information for developing proactive strategies and readiness
Provides direction, development and performance management of direct reports
Develop and maintain an appropriate quality organization to support the successful adherence to the QMS and the transformation process.

Accountable to manage quality resources to meet the financial plan
In conjunction with Operations Engineering, looks for and drives new technologies and concepts into current process design practices in an effort to provide process solutions that are significantly more capable
Leads and develops others in the behavioral application and adherence to the Woodward Constitution, Codes of Business Conduct and Ethics (Policy 1-14) and participates in BCOC investigations as needed
Other Functions

Responsible for goal flow down from the Corporate Level to actionable activities
Supports Quality Director/Vice President Quality in site transition toward an ever improving One Woodward quality system
Collaborates with functions inside and outside the organization (Enterprise Wide)
Leads or influences systematic support of Six Sigma and problem solving for the site(s).

Leads Black Belt projects for challenging business issues
Sets high quality standards and demonstrates a firm commitment to quality and continuous improvement
Must be able to travel to customer and other Woodward sites, domestic and international semi independently

Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Strong understanding of: QMS; Processes approach; ISO, AS and TS; APQPPPAP; LEAN principles; Six Sigma tools and methodologies; other continuous improvement methods to support lean order fulfillment processes.

Significant technical toolbox (such as trade-studies, brainstorming, design evaluation matrices, risk management, test methods and systems, configuration management, ECR management, DFMEA, PFMEA, DFR, GD&T, Monte Carlo Analysis, Design of Experiments, QFD or other appropriate design and analysis tools)
Strong knowledge of statistical concepts and methods to ensure appropriate application and analysis of data, with strong ability to analyze issues, solve problems and develop others to do the same
Strong knowledge of the product life cycle, especially related key deliverables
Ability to collaborate, develop and integrate site strategies for quality performance and continuous improvement.

Supports site strategy development with Directors and managers and can follow through with implementation at site level
Strong oral and written communication with all levels of the organization, but in particular at the site leadership level, and at customer leadership level
Able to lead and develop a vision and strategy for the site level QMS, including gaining alignment and support of key site stakeholders
Strong collaboration and influencing skills with peers and leaders across the site and, as needed across the CoE.

Supports the improvement of processes across the site and on a per project basis at the group level
Ability to work across the site's value streams (enterprise wide
– supply to customer) to achieve site and value stream performance objectives
Strong time management and project management skills to organize and plan effectively in developing effective systems and processes at the value stream, area and site level
Strong people and leadership skills in coaching, motivating and leading others
Ability to understand and work effectively with various cultures
Expert risk management skills for risk mitigation and problem solving
Strong understanding of business and operation processes
Strong understanding of ERP Systems
L1 & L2 Education or Formal Training
4 year science/technical or management degree or International equivalent required
Masters degree in science/technical or management field, or international equivalent preferred
Six Sigma Greenbelt or equivalent data based problem solving required.

Blackbelt preferred
Nationally recognized quality certification desired, e.g.

American Society of Quality (ASQ), Certified Quality Manager (CQM),