Divisional Quality Manager, Aerospace

Element Materials Technology•Saint Paul, MN

3h•$127,500 - $150,000

About The Position

Element has an opportunity for an experienced Division Quality Manager to join its team of quality professionals. Reporting to the Division Director, you are an essential member of the management team and responsible for the overall quality performance of multiple locations in our Aerospace business. This includes ensuring that the Element quality management system (QMS), Prime approvals, and relationships with Aerospace Primes and customers are maintained and nurtured. The successful candidate will have experience of the accreditation requirements associated with the aerospace industry in order to support your team. In this role, you will have interaction with clients, Accreditation Bodies and Primes and will be responsible for advising operational colleagues of the importance of quality, accuracy and integrity in the provision of the testing services we provide. With strong leadership skills, your ability to influence and lead colleagues in a dynamic, cross-functional matrix environment is essential. You will work closely with the Division Director, location Quality Managers and location General Managers to ensure that Element quality policies, processes and procedures are effectively implemented. As a quality leader within Element you will be capable of driving a culture of quality assurance and quality improvement in the Division. You will work with the other Division Quality Managers to share best practice and build a strong quality community, so effective interpersonal skills are a key requirement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent education/experience) in engineering, science, or related technical discipline.
7+ years of quality management experience in aerospace, energy, defense, or related complex technical environments.
Deep knowledge of quality systems and standards including ISO/IEC 17025, AS9100, and Nadcap.
Proven success in managing multi-site quality functions in a matrix structure.
Strong experience interfacing with aerospace primes, accreditation bodies, and regulatory agencies.
Skilled in audit management, root cause analysis, and performance metrics.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to build trust and credibility with internal and external stakeholders.
Willing to travel approximately 35%, including overnight stays (US, Canada, Mexico).

Responsibilities

Ensure consistent execution of the Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO/IEC 17025, AS9100, Nadcap and Nuclear standards.
Lead quality strategy across the BU with a strong focus on product testing performance and compliance.
Drive lab readiness for audits and certifications; liaise with OEMs, regulatory bodies, and customers.
Guide and develop site-level quality teams; promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Improve key metrics including First Time Right (FTR) and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through data-driven quality initiatives.
Standardize testing processes across labs to reduce risk and enhance data integrity.
Establish and implement applicable measurements / metrics for monitoring system effectiveness and to enable managers/employees to make sound quality decisions.
Use data analytics and quality tools to identify improvement opportunities, coach employees in problem-solving, and lead teams in effective corrective actions.
Establish collection and analysis systems of statistical data, forecast trends, propose solutions and drive process improvements.
Collaborate with HR and operational leaders to inspire, develop, and retain quality talent across the business unit.