Overview
Director of Quality Jobs in Detroit Metropolitan Area at LHH
Title: Director of Quality
Company: LHH
Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area
About the Opportunity
LHH Recruitment Solutions is partnering with a global manufacturer and recognized industry leader in advanced automotive systems and precision-engineered components to identify a Director of Quality. This confidential executive leadership opportunity offers the chance to shape quality strategy across multiple North American manufacturing facilities while partnering closely with global leadership.
Reporting directly to the North American President while maintaining a functional relationship with global quality leadership, the Director of Quality will be responsible for developing and executing the organization's quality strategy across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This individual will lead all aspects of manufacturing quality, supplier quality, customer quality, quality systems, and continuous improvement while fostering a culture centered on operational excellence, accountability, and customer satisfaction.
This role is ideal for a strategic, hands-on quality executive who thrives in a fast-paced, global manufacturing environment and enjoys driving transformational initiatives across multiple facilities.
Position Summary
The Director of Quality is responsible for establishing and executing the North American quality strategy to ensure consistent product quality, operational excellence, and compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
This executive will oversee all quality functions, including manufacturing quality, supplier quality, customer quality, advanced product quality planning, warranty performance, quality systems, and continuous improvement initiatives. Working cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Executive Leadership, the Director will drive measurable improvements in quality performance while supporting business growth across multiple manufacturing locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the North American Quality Strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
- Provide executive leadership for all quality functions, including:
- Manufacturing Quality
- Supplier Quality
- Customer Quality
- Advanced Quality Planning (APQP)
- Warranty & Field Quality
- Quality Systems
- Metrology & Laboratory Operations
- Lead the implementation, optimization, and standardization of the Quality Management System (QMS) across multiple manufacturing facilities.
- Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, OEM customer requirements, and all applicable regulatory standards throughout North America.
- Establish standardized quality processes and inspection methodologies to ensure consistent manufacturing performance across all locations.
- Develop KPI dashboards and performance metrics focused on:
- Customer PPM
- First Pass Yield
- Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)
- Supplier Performance
- Scrap Reduction
- Warranty Performance
- Lead customer quality initiatives with global automotive OEMs while improving customer scorecards and overall satisfaction.
- Drive supplier quality strategy, supplier development, audits, corrective actions, and risk mitigation to improve incoming quality and supplier performance.
- Champion structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, A3, 5 Why, Fishbone Analysis, PFMEA, and SPC.
- Partner with Manufacturing and Engineering to improve process capability, reduce variation, and support successful product launches.
- Develop training programs and quality standards that reinforce a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
- Prepare and present quality metrics, trends, and strategic initiatives to executive leadership.
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing quality organization capable of supporting future business growth.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related technical discipline required; Master's Degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive quality experience within automotive or complex manufacturing environments; 15+ years preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of executive or senior quality leadership experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations.
- Extensive experience supporting automotive OEM customers and Tier 1 manufacturing environments.
- Strong knowledge of:
- IATF 16949
- ISO 9001
- APQP
- PPAP
- FMEA
- MSA
- SPC
- GD&T
- Proven success implementing and improving Quality Management Systems across multiple manufacturing facilities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strategic quality initiatives that produce measurable improvements in customer satisfaction, warranty performance, operational efficiency, and cost reduction.
- Experience leading supplier quality organizations and driving supplier performance improvements.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and executive presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to balance strategic initiatives and day-to-day operational priorities.
- Fluency in Spanish and experience supporting manufacturing operations in Mexico are highly desirable.
Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strategic and visionary leadership
- Executive presence and strong business acumen
- A collaborative, cross-functional leadership style
- A passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence
- Data-driven decision-making capabilities
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
- The ability to influence organizational change across multiple manufacturing locations
