Director, Quality

General Accountability

Reports Directly To: General Manager, SBU or Vice President, Strategic Business Unit
Reports Functionally To: Vice President, Engineering & Quality

Provides overall direction for the business unit quality function through development, implementation and monitoring of policies and procedures consistent with organizational requirements and corporate standards.  As a member of the business unit Strategic Group, directs quality activities on the business unit in order to improve the processes, procedures, methods and materials used in the repair and overhaul processes while ensuring product quality is maintained and striving for continuous improvements.

Direct Reports Include:      Engineer, Quality Assurance; Inspector, Chief (SBU); Analyst, Quality Assurance; Coordinator; Training & Development

Immune Specific Accountabilities

• Recognizes and understands flight/product safety critical parts and processes.
• Responsible for immediately reporting flight/product safety concerns.
• Participates in proactive risk analysis of flight/product safety critical parts and processes.
• Recognizes and understands the Just Culture policy.

Specific Accountabilities

• Directs strategic business unit quality activities and resources including supervision and training of personnel, representing quality functions.  Develops, implements and monitors business unit quality policies and procedures consistent with company and strategic business unit objectives.
• Continuously monitors quality data (warranty, product rectification, customer satisfaction, etc.) for improvement opportunities across the business unit.  Leads the business unit strategic group on the selection and management of improvement initiatives.
• Develops and maintains an organizational structure on the business unit staffed with qualified personnel for the performance of quality activities.
• Manages the development and maintenance of methods and systems for measuring the degree by which the business unit’s quality goals, objectives and standards are being met.  
• Leads the business unit quality audit and corrective action process by providing training, facilitation, recommendations and leadership, as required to achieve optimal results.
• Interfaces with marketing, operations and engineering to establish quality requirements on individual products and services on the basis of customer needs, the fit, form and function of the product, and to ensure that quality considerations are properly addressed as early as possible in the product or process design stage.
• Maintains currency on regulatory requirements and quality standards.
• Seeks new quality methodologies for implementation in support of business unit strategic initiatives.
• Exercises authority in hiring, training, career development, performance appraisal, salary adjustments, promotion, discipline, health, safety and the general employee relations of direct reports.
• Actively participates in the appropriate management team(s), assisting with the development and realization of strategic plans, budgets, goals and outcomes.
• Carries out special projects as assigned.

Technical Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of ISO 9000 quality system requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of FAA, EASA, CAAC, airworthiness certification requirements and other regulatory bodies.
• Strong planning, organizational, analytical, leadership, interpersonal, decision making, oral and written communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge of company instructions, company processes and other internal procedures.
• Working knowledge of PCs in the current company operating system environment.
• Working knowledge of production management computer systems..
• University degree in mechanical, industrial, or aerospace engineering; or equivalent.
• Several years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing or aerospace environment..
• Prior CFR Part 145 experience 

Background Information

The typical minimum level of education to perform this job competently is equivalent to completion of a university (bachelor) program in a specialized field of study and work.  The work requires a sound understanding of the underlying theoretical principles and concepts associated with the subject area and an understanding of the relation of these to the responsibilities of the job.  This specialized training is often recognized by a degree and/or professional designation.

Directly/indirectly related work experience representing continuous learning and required for someone to perform this job competently is six to ten years.

Ongoing work assignments typically have clearly defined goals, but no (or minimal) direction with respect to what action steps to follow.  The incumbents education, training, and previous experience will help ensure that the goal of the assignment can be clearly defined and understood (even if that means just knowing what relevant questions to ask), but the required/optional approaches to achieving the goal will often remain unclear, undefined and/or untested until the work assignment is well underway.