Director of Quality

Department: Quality

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Swagelok Northern California

Reporting To: President & CEO

Compensation: $196,378 - $294,567 / year

The Director of Quality (DOQ) sets the strategic direction for, and leads the daily operation of, our quality management system within the ISO and Swagelok Quality System framework. Working with process owners and executive leadership, the DOQ proactively measures quality performance, owns the Quality department’s budget and strategic plan, and ensures that corrective and preventive actions address issues affecting the achievement of our quality objectives.

The DOQ oversees Quality Control Technicians and leads Quality associates in performing departmental tasks, and represents the Quality function on the organization’s Operational Leadership team.

• Prevent nonconforming product from reaching customers through proactive engagement with production associates.
• Analyze quality data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs).
• Review internal and external engineering drawings, Bills of Materials, and Production Routings for accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain ongoing communication and productive working relationships with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations so that quality concerns and improvement opportunities are addressed promptly.
• Prepare and lead Quality meetings, and provide daily status updates on Quality actions to Production Control and Operations.
• Manage the supplier Returned Material Authorization (RMA) and NCMR processes.
• Lead continuous improvement activities within the Quality function and support cross-functional improvement efforts.
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA), resolve quality problems, and manage corrective action reporting.
• Manage Quality Control Technicians, providing on-the-floor guidance, direction, and work prioritization.
• Verify that supplier-submitted documents meet customer requirements.
• Write process descriptions and assembly and manufacturing instructions as needed.
• Train associates within the Quality department on Quality Assurance processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with the Supply Chain team to manage and improve supplier performance.
• Provide technical support to customers and suppliers on quality-related matters.
• Lead special projects and perform other duties as assigned to support Quality objectives.

• Develop and own the annual Quality strategy, roadmap, and department budget in alignment with company goals and objectives.
• Standardize Quality systems, policies, and best practices across all sites and functions.
• Report Quality performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to executive leadership and the CEO.
• Represent the Quality function in strategic planning, major customer and supplier negotiations, and cross-functional executive initiatives.
• Benchmark Quality performance against industry standards and lead long-term continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead a company-wide quality culture by embedding quality principles into decision‑making, training, and daily operations across all departments and levels of the organization.

• Interview, hire, onboard, and train new associates.
• Lead, coach, and mentor associates to build technical capability, professional growth, and career development.
• Maintain strong, professional relationships with associates through consistent communication, trust, and responsiveness, recognizing that the manager‑associate relationship is the foundation of team engagement and performance.
• Maintain consistent leadership practices and fair application of company…