Director, Quality Assurance & Plant Excellence

Director, Quality Assurance & Plant Excellence

Bowling Green, KY

Be a part of a globally recognized organization in the Consumer Brands sector, focused on shaping the future through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. This pivotal role is the site leader for quality, compliance, and hygiene, responsible for maintaining the highest standards of product integrity while driving Plant Excellence through systematic continuous improvement. The Director will foster a culture of Zero Defect thinking and operational maturity across all facility functions.

Responsibilities

I. Quality Strategy and Management Systems

Strategic Planning & Leadership :  Define and execute the site's short-term and long-term strategy for Quality, Hygiene, and Compliance Systems, aligning them with global business objectives.

Integrated Management System :  Lead the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the integrated  ISO Management System  (e.g., ISO 9001 and other relevant industry standards).

System Design :  Design, develop, and continuously improve facility standards, Quality methods, practices, tools, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure operational rigor and consistency.

Risk Management :  Implement and oversee robust quality risk management and mitigation strategies (e.g., FMEA, HACCP principles) to ensure product reliability and safety.

II. Plant Excellence & Continuous Improvement (CI)

CI Leadership :  Champion a culture of continuous improvement, leading CI initiatives to enhance process capability, reduce defects, and minimize the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).

Defect Reduction :  Utilize process mapping, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to systematically resolve recurring quality and hygiene issues.

Cross-Functional Partnership :  Collaborate closely with Operations, Engineering, R&D, and Supply Chain to seamlessly integrate quality requirements into new product initiatives (APQP), process modifications, and material sourcing.

Technical Support :  Provide expert technical assistance to support departments, ensuring quality and hygiene principles are embedded from raw material receipt through finished product shipment.

III. Audits, Compliance, and Hygiene

Audit Command :  Serve as the primary site authority and contact for all external quality and compliance audits (customer, 3rd party, regulatory agencies).

Audit Readiness :  Develop, train, and maintain internal capability to successfully host external audits, ensuring a seamless process with zero business disruption.

Internal Auditing :  Develop and lead a site internal audit program that actively monitors system effectiveness and drives proactive improvement actions.

Hygiene & Sanitation :  Ensure Hygiene / Sanitation capability is rigorously developed, implemented, and maintained throughout the plant, working closely with the plant hygienist / sanitation team to mitigate cross-contamination risks and ensure environmental monitoring program effectiveness.

IV. Team Leadership & Culture

Talent Development :  Lead, mentor, and develop the site Quality and Hygiene teams, fostering a high-performance culture focused on preventative quality and compliance ownership.

Zero Defect Culture :  Drive the adoption of  Zero Defect  thinking and principles across all levels of the site organization.

Qualifications

Education :  Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Industrial Management).

Experience :   10+ years of progressive professional experience is required, including at least 5 years in a managerial or site leadership role over Quality and / or Hygiene / Sanitation in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Technical Expertise :  Deep, working knowledge of Quality fundamentals, principles, core tools, and experience with contemporary Quality Management Systems (QMS).

Process Improvement Acumen :  Demonstrated mastery in driving continuous improvement using methodologies such as Process Mapping, Six Sigma, or Lean Manufacturing principles.

Audit & Compliance Experience :  Extensive experience successfully leading and managing major customer and regulatory audits (e.g., FDA, GMP, ISO, or similar industry-specific standards).

Soft Skills :  Exceptional leadership presence, interpersonal skills, and professional communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation) necessary to influence across all organizational levels.

Preferred :  Relevant Quality certifications (e.g., ASQ Certified Manager of Quality / Organizational Excellence, Six Sigma Black Belt, PCQI).

Travel :  Willingness to travel occasionally.