Senior Director, Global Quality - Howmet Aerospace
Cleveland, OH 44101
About the Job
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $6.6 billion in revenue in 2023, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers' success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2023 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report .
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Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email TalentAcquisitionCoE_Howmet@howmet.com
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Business Administration, or a related field
- Minimum of 15 years' experience in quality management roles, with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.
- In-depth knowledge of quality and manufacturing systems, processes and applicable Customer Requirements and Industry Standards/Specifications as well as a practical knowledge of Quality Systems.
- Extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems such as ISO9001 or IATF16949 and production systems.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels.
- Demonstrated track record of driving quality improvement initiatives and achieving measurable results.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to think analytically, solve complex problems, and make data-driven decisions.
- Experience working in a global/multi-national environment, managing cross-functional teams and stakeholders across different cultures and geographies.
- Employee must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which requires U.S. person status. ITAR defines U.S. person as an U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, Master's) preferred
- Professional certifications in quality management (e.g., ASQ Certified Quality Manager, Six Sigma Black Belt) are highly desirable
- Experience within automotive industry
Travel Requirements
- The position may require occasional domestic and international travel
- Position may be based at Howmet Wheel Systems business unit headquarters in Cleveland Ohio OR Székesfehérvár, Hungary (frequent travel to US required)
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Business Administration, or a related field
- Minimum of 15 years' experience in quality management roles, with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.
- In-depth knowledge of quality and manufacturing systems, processes and applicable Customer Requirements and Industry Standards/Specifications as well as a practical knowledge of Quality Systems.
- Extensive knowledge of Quality Management Systems such as ISO9001 or IATF16949 and production systems.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels.
- Demonstrated track record of driving quality improvement initiatives and achieving measurable results.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to think analytically, solve complex problems, and make data-driven decisions.
- Experience working in a global/multi-national environment, managing cross-functional teams and stakeholders across different cultures and geographies.
- Employee must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which requires U.S. person status. ITAR defines U.S. person as an U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, Master's) preferred
- Professional certifications in quality management (e.g., ASQ Certified Quality Manager, Six Sigma Black Belt) are highly desirable
- Experience within automotive industry
Travel Requirements
- The position may require occasional domestic and international travel
- Position may be based at Howmet Wheel Systems business unit headquarters in Cleveland Ohio OR Székesfehérvár, Hungary (frequent travel to US required)
The Senior Director, Global Quality leads the Quality function for Howmet Wheel systems. Howmet Wheel Systems is the proud manufacturer of nearly 5 million wheels per year, employing over 2,100 employees with locations in the United States, Hungary, China, Japan and elsewhere. The person in this role is responsible for planning and implementing the global quality systems strategy including documentation, training, organizational planning, implementation of technology, analysis and handling of any complaints, and developing and implementing tactical plans to meet company, corporate and customer objectives. This leader is responsible for implementing policies to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and customer requirements and industry standards/specifications. This position requires strong leadership skills, extensive experience in quality management, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams worldwide.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leads and implements the Quality Policy. Develops, documents and maintains an effective Quality System in accordance with IATF16949 and customer requirements
- Leads the implementation of the Product Safety Management System within the Business Segment and fosters the growth of employee's knowledge and responsibilities as it relates to designing, producing, validating and shipping hardware
- Along with the team, leads the continual improvement of process stability to improve product compliance and conformance
- Collaborates with the sites to design, develop, and improve procedures and processes for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data associated with the Quality Systems
- Directs and supports APQP and launches of new wheel programs including prototype, FAI, MFS, and all PPAP elements as required
- Lead customer response and arrange needed response team resources as needed to quickly address any emerging or reported critical customer or regulatory concern
- Plans and directs resources and activities related to Complaints Management, Document Control, Identification, Customer Programs, and 3rd Party Audit Preparations
- Along with the team, evaluates contents of reports from Quality System processes, quality assurance department heads and confers with top management in preparation of business planning, with a focus on quality assurance
- Participates in management meetings with department leaders to establish, define, and review organizational policies, coordinate functions and operations between departments, and to establish responsibilities and procedures for attaining quality objectives
- Reviews technical problems and procedures in Quality departments and drives solutions to problems or changes in procedures
- Own global quality key metrics, reporting and systemic action plans including, field complaints, quality systems and special process data, scrap, on-time in-full delivery, etc.
- Oversees the implementation of risk mitigation actions and ensures documentation is maintained according to process and protocol
- Ensures appropriate processes are in place to file and report Customer Concerns / Product Integrity Audit Results in a timely manner and reports the status of these processes to management on a weekly / monthly basis
- Oversees staff and develops team to ensure they are meeting established schedules and that they have knowledge of current techniques of quality, company products and process technologies including Customer Requirements and Industry Standards / Specifications as well as all other applicable global standards and requirements
- Develops plans and policies to continuously improve manufacturing processes and increase product quality and delivery.
- Build and lead a high-performing global quality team, providing mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities while fostering a culture of quality excellence, accountability, and continuous learning within the organization.
The Senior Director, Global Quality leads the Quality function for Howmet Wheel systems. Howmet Wheel Systems is the proud manufacturer of nearly 5 million wheels per year, employing over 2,100 employees with locations in the United States, Hungary, China, Japan and elsewhere. The person in this role is responsible for planning and implementing the global quality systems strategy including documentation, training, organizational planning, implementation of technology, analysis and handling of any complaints, and developing and implementing tactical plans to meet company, corporate and customer objectives. This leader is responsible for implementing policies to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and customer requirements and industry standards/specifications. This position requires strong leadership skills, extensive experience in quality management, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams worldwide.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leads and implements the Quality Policy. Develops, documents and maintains an effective Quality System in accordance with IATF16949 and customer requirements
- Leads the implementation of the Product Safety Management System within the Business Segment and fosters the growth of employee's knowledge and responsibilities as it relates to designing, producing, validating and shipping hardware
- Along with the team, leads the continual improvement of process stability to improve product compliance and conformance
- Collaborates with the sites to design, develop, and improve procedures and processes for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data associated with the Quality Systems
- Directs and supports APQP and launches of new wheel programs including prototype, FAI, MFS, and all PPAP elements as required
- Lead customer response and arrange needed response team resources as needed to quickly address any emerging or reported critical customer or regulatory concern
- Plans and directs resources and activities related to Complaints Management, Document Control, Identification, Customer Programs, and 3rd Party Audit Preparations
- Along with the team, evaluates contents of reports from Quality System processes, quality assurance department heads and confers with top management in preparation of business planning, with a focus on quality assurance
- Participates in management meetings with department leaders to establish, define, and review organizational policies, coordinate functions and operations between departments, and to establish responsibilities and procedures for attaining quality objectives
- Reviews technical problems and procedures in Quality departments and drives solutions to problems or changes in procedures
- Own global quality key metrics, reporting and systemic action plans including, field complaints, quality systems and special process data, scrap, on-time in-full delivery, etc.
- Oversees the implementation of risk mitigation actions and ensures documentation is maintained according to process and protocol
- Ensures appropriate processes are in place to file and report Customer Concerns / Product Integrity Audit Results in a timely manner and reports the status of these processes to management on a weekly / monthly basis
- Oversees staff and develops team to ensure they are meeting established schedules and that they have knowledge of current techniques of quality, company products and process technologies including Customer Requirements and Industry Standards / Specifications as well as all other applicable global standards and requirements
- Develops plans and policies to continuously improve manufacturing processes and increase product quality and delivery.
- Build and lead a high-performing global quality team, providing mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities while fostering a culture of quality excellence, accountability, and continuous learning within the organization.