Director of Lean and Quality
 

COMPANY:
Manufacturer of commercial building products headquartered in the Southeast.
 
REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS:
This position will report directly to ­­­­the Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. Direct reports will include Lean/Quality associates.
 
BASIC FUNCTIONS:
The Director of Lean and Quality is responsible for driving enterprise-wide operational excellence through Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and a robust Quality Management System (QMS). This leader will own the strategic direction and execution of Lean initiatives and Quality programs to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer satisfaction.
 
The Director of Lean and Quality will lead cross-functional teams, mentor site-level CI and Quality leaders, and partner closely with operations, engineering, supply chain, product development, and customer service to ensure processes are capable, compliant, and continuously improving.
 
Specific duties will include, but not necessarily be limited to:
 
Lean/Continuous Improvement Leadership

• Develop and execute a Lean strategy aligned to business goals and growth plans.
• Lead a pipeline of continuous improvement projects using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Drive key Lean systems including:
  -Standard work.
  -Visual management.
  -Daily management systems.
  -5S/workplace organization.
  -SMED/changeover reduction.
  -Value stream mapping.
  -Flow and pull systems.
  -OEE improvement.
• Coach leadership teams at all levels to sustain Lean behaviors and build a culture of accountability and operational discipline.
• Establish CI governance, metrics, and site CI roadmap alignment.
  
  

Quality Strategy and Quality Management System Ownership

• Lead the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure compliance with applicable standards (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, FDA/ISO 13485 depending on industry).
• Oversee quality programs including:
  -Internal and external audits.
  -Corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
  -Nonconformance management.
  -Root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone).
  -Supplier quality management.
  -Customer complaints and returns.
  -Process and product validation.
• Ensure consistent application of quality tools such as:
  -SPC, MSA, FMEA, Control Plans.
  -PPAP/APQP (if applicable).
  -Risk-based thinking and process capability analysis.
  
  

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and develop Lean and Quality teams across sites and/or functions.
• Build and maintain strong collaboration between Quality, operations, engineering, and supply chain.
• Mentor CI leaders and Quality managers to increase effectiveness and drive standardized best practices.
• Ensure staffing plans, training plans, and succession development exist for key roles.
  
  

Performance Metrics and Business Impact

•  Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as:
  -First Pass Yield (FPY)
  -Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)
  -Customer PPM/defect rates
  -Scrap and rework
  -On-Time Delivery (OTD)
  -OEE
  -Safety improvements related to Lean work
• Use data-driven analysis to quantify impact and guide prioritization.
• Report progress and results to executive leadership using dashboards and structured reviews. 
  
  

Strategic Business Partnering

• Serve as a key partner to the plant leadership team(s) and executive team.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) to ensure manufacturability and quality planning.
• Lead change management efforts to sustain Lean and Quality improvements over time.
• Partner with HR and training teams to build a continuous improvement culture. 
  
  
  

REQUIREMENTS:

• Over 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, quality leadership, and/or continuous improvement.
• Strong working knowledge and hands-on application of Lean methodologies and Quality systems.
• Proven track record delivering measurable results (cost reduction, yield improvement, lead time reduction, customer satisfaction).
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and influencing at senior levels.
• Experience leading multi-site CI/Quality programs.
• Experience in a regulated environment (if applicable).
• Able to travel 10%-30%.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, operations management, or related field.
• Master’s degree in business, engineering, or related field; Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or equivalent); professional certifications (ASQ CQE, CQA, CMQ/OE, etc.) preferred.
  
  

KEY COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Strong leadership and coaching capability; able to build Lean culture.
• Expert in structured problem solving and statistical/data analysis.
• Excellent communication and executive presence.
• Strong project management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to drive change and ensure sustainability.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and industrial engineering principles.
  
  

COMPENSATION:
Compensation will be commensurate with experience including a competitive base salary, bonus opportunity, and competitive benefits package.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Robin Bagby, Senior Associate
rbagby@CLCBsearch.com
704.377.0362