Director of Quality

**About the Role - Director of Quality (Maple Ridge BC)**

We are searching for a highly driven and committed Director of Quality to lead both Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) for RST Instruments. This role is instrumental in embedding a culture of quality throughout the organization, instilling a mindset of quality at the source, and ensuring best-in-class manufacturing and product reliability.

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations the Director of Quality will be a key leader in driving excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

This is an onsite role, requiring 4-5 days per week at our Maple Ridge facility.

**What you will be doing**

**Quality Strategy & Execution**
- Develop and execute a strategic vision for quality across all operations.
- Lead Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) teams to drive excellence in product reliability and compliance.
- Establish a Quality Management System (QMS) that ensures compliance with ISO 9001 and industry best practices.
- Implement data-driven strategies to reduce the total cost of poor quality (COPQ) and enhance operational efficiency.

**Audit & Compliance**
- Lead the successful completion of ISO audits and ensure ongoing certification compliance.
- Implement robust internal auditing processes to drive quality accountability.
- Partner with regulatory agencies and industry bodies to align quality standards with global best practices.

**Culture of Quality & Leadership Development**
- Mentor and coach the leadership team, fostering a quality-first mindset across the organization.
- Embed quality at the source principles into every department, ensuring ownership of quality at all levels.
- Champion cross-functional collaboration, integrating quality objectives with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Customer Support teams.

**Data-Driven Quality Management**
- Lead the team to develop real-time dashboards and KPIs to measure and improve first-pass yield, defect rates, and customer satisfaction.
- Utilize advanced analytics and root cause analysis (RCA) to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Leverage statistical process control (SPC) and Six Sigma methodologies to enhance product and process quality.

**Customer-Centric Quality Assurance**
- Partner with customers to proactively address quality concerns and ensure world-class service and reliability.
- Implement closed-loop feedback systems to continuously improve product performance.
- Lead investigations into customer complaints and warranty issues, driving permanent corrective actions.

**What you will bring**
- Strategic Leadership - Ability to define, communicate, and execute a long-term quality vision.
- Data-Driven Decision Making - Uses analytics and key performance indicators to drive improvements.
- Collaboration & Influence - Builds strong relationships across departments to embed quality at all levels.
- Execution Excellence - Takes a hands-on approach to solving problems and delivering results.
- Change Management - Leads cultural transformation to ensure quality is ingrained in operations.

**Measures of Success (First 12 Months)**
- Successfully pass the recertification ISO audit, ensuring full compliance with ISO 9001 standards.
- Define and implement clear actions to reduce the total cost of poor quality (COPQ).
- Mentor and coach the leadership team to ensure a cultural of quality at the source.
- Develop and deploy an enhanced real-time quality metrics dashboard, improving visibility and accountability.
- Enhance root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action processes to drive sustainable improvements.

**Role Dimensions**
- Location: Maple Ridge, BC (Onsite, 4-5 days per week)
- Reports to: Vice President of Operations with dotted line to the COO
- Direct Reports: Current - 2 Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) Teams
- Key Internal Stakeholders: Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Customer Support
- Key External Stakeholders: Regulatory Bodies, Certification Agencies, Customers

**Your Qualifications**
- Degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field; Six Sigma certification preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership in Quality Assurance and Quality Control, preferably in manufacturing or technology-driven industries.
- Proven track record of driving cultural transformation around quality in a high-paced manufacturing environment.
- Deep experience with ISO 9001, Lean Six Sigma, and advanced quality management systems.
- Strong analytical mindset with expertise in data-driven decision-making, SPC, and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Exceptional ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional teams at all levels.
- Experience leading audit preparation, compliance, and regulatory engagement.

**How you shape and influence others**
- Demonstrates courage, resilience and flexibility
- Strong reputation for integrity, ethics, personal values and solid character
- Strong stakeholder management,