Responsible for managing the development, implementation and maintenance of quality assurance systems and activities. Responsible for the forward progression of corporate quality assurance activities and setting the standard for development of the QA direct and dotted-line staff in EO's North America manufacturing facilities. Responsible for mentoring quality departments globally and establishing standardized best practices globally in order to promote best business practices. Responsible for presenting to customers and external auditors, as well as championing TQM to the internal employees. Responsible for standardizing Edmund Optics processes that can affect product quality and customer experience where applicable and provide strategic initiatives and projects within quality functions, both product-driven and process driven. Ensures all relevant quality and regulatory requirements are met for products and processes, and ensures compliance with Federal and International Regulatory requirements. Acts as the face of quality assurance for our company in all customer and ISO/AS audits. Responsible for championing and developing a culture of total quality management (TQM).

Management

Develop a vision and organization structure that will underpin EO quality efforts for the next decade
• Identify and mitigate future quality and regulatory risks to Edmund Optics
• Develop budget and operate the department within budget
• Proposing global headcount and cap-ex needs in line with corporate objectives
• Evaluate staff skills and capabilities / hire and fire as needed within corporate performance guidelines
• Analyze and determine optimal KPI for the company as it relates to Cost of Quality and TQM
• Track and report KPIs on a regular basis, making suggestions for strategic improvement
• Ensure EO quality plans and budgets meet the needs of the company as it grows in complexity
• Develop and mentor the professional development of quality managers and supervisors in adherence with company culture
• Submit cap-ex requests in line with corporate metrology strategy to maintain and expand capabilities
• Reduce redundant intercompany QA efforts where appliable

Quality Assurance

• Ensure that all products and processes at Edmund Optics meet customer, corporate, quality and regulatory requirements
  • Ensure that new production process incorporates quality requirements
• Create and execute EO divisional quality strategy within goals set forth by the organization, including:
  • Periodic internal auditing of global facilities to ensure compliance with standard procedures
  • Champion for global quality products and processes
  • Creating and owning new initiatives to improve Edmund Optics' total quality management
  • Leading and developing a culture of total quality management
  • Planning, developing, and directing quality assurance policies and programs
  • Evaluation of the need and effectiveness of quality assurance managements systems such as ISO 9001, AS9100, and others based on current business/customer needs
• Manage U.S. Customer audits and involve required departments in said audits, including:
  • Ensuring the customer's quality concerns are championed
  • Coordinating corrective/preventive actions resulting from audits
  • Ensuring that customer and EO inspection and metrology processes are aligned
  • Providing new and clever ideas to solve customer needs
  • Liaising with manufacturing facilities or third-party suppliers as needed
• Own the customer facing CAR and escalation process for improved customer experience:
  • Creating and maintaining the escalation system and escalation processes
  • Auditing the escalation process with authority on material disposition
  • Ensuring the creation and smooth management of local escalation teams and a cross-functional escalation team
  • Reporting on the results of the escalation team and escalation process to global leadership
  • Mentoring the leaders of local escalation teams and the cross-functional escalation team
• Oversee all software packages, platforms, and training needs used for managing quality initiatives, including Minitab, TRACtion, SAP tools, or internally or externally developed web tools.
• Develop global quality leadership council, which includes:
  • regular meetings
  • Champion the ideas flowing from quality council up to global leadership
  • Liaising with global quality groups for development of copy exact quality processes & procedures
• Act as a crisis management leader when a crisis arises around major quality issues, including recalls or major supplier or factory quality failures
• Oversee, in a matrix management structure with the local manufacturing leadership, the quality teams at the various Edmund Optics factories
• Stay abreast of the newest developments within quality management, including best practices and new tools for quality analytics and diagnostics

Metrology

• Assure that newly introduced parts and product have a sufficient test plan for incoming inspection.
• Ensure released prints are properly marked to allow FAI and inspection reference
• Collaborate on testing and metrology with R&D
  • Working with R&D to understand the handoff of the metrology of new production
  • Working with global quality management on inspection requirements
  • Submitting global cap-ex requests in line with corporate metrology strategy
  • Ensuring the proper installation and calibration of metrology equipment in the various facilities
• Work with the business lines and R&D to identify future metrology needs based on growth strategies

Other Functions

• Work with the Continuous Improvement team to help with continuous improvement projects, including:
  • Kaizen events in the factory environment
  • Workplace 6S and digital 6S initiatives or committees
  • Local and global workplace safety initiatives or committees
• Champion proper use of ECR / ECN process to ensure proper revision and customer flowdown
• Present the quality and continuous improvement strategies to global leadership, core management, or the board of directors, as needed.
• Streamlining of functional needs for efficiency gains
• Act as a liaison for various government agencies as requested
• Comply with federal, state, regional, and company policies, procedures, and regulations
• Perform other duties as assigned by management

To successfully, the requirements listed below are a representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• ISO9001 / AS9100 Training Certifications
• Optics and optical industry knowledge
• Optical manufacturing knowledge
• Effective leadership skills
• Strong communications & presentation skills
• Well-organized and detail-oriented
• Ability to critically evaluate and troubleshoot complex problems
• Demonstrated experience leading a quality assurance or quality control function
• Strong knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Principles and other quality tools
• Collaborative team-based management style
• Comfortable in a matrix-managed organization
• Strong customer focus
• In-depth analytics knowledge
• Excellent phone and interpersonal skills.
• Multi-level management experience with exempt employees
• Experience and sensitivity to American, European and Asian cultures in a global environment
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, and Access
• EO product knowledge and awareness a plus

Education/Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's of Science degree in optics, engineering or technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience as a quality professional with management experience
• Black Belt certified, with a Master Black Belt certification a plus
• SQE or SQA certification with ASQ a plus
• Global experience, especially with Japan and southeast Asia a plus

Physical Requirements:

Ability to operate office equipment such as a copier; ability to sit or stand for long periods of time; work in office setting. Ability to travel 10-20% of the time (domestic and international).

Other Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residence required