The Director of Quality is responsible for establishing, executing, and communicating Saxco’s quality management strategy across all packaging types and customer segments. This role leads a large, dynamic, and strategically important quality department responsible for driving excellence across packaging formats and customer segments. The Director will drive resolution of product quality issues, elevate quality knowledge across the organization, and support Sales, Operations, and Purchasing in delivering superior customer experiences. This position requires hands-on leadership and strategic collaboration in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and sales-driven environment. The Director will also champion cross-functional initiatives to streamline quality processes, improve operational efficiency, and ensure alignment with evolving market demands.
Primary responsibilities:
- Lead quality strategy across all packaging types and customer segments, ensuring tailored approaches that meet diverse market needs.
- Lead, manage and promote quality management processes and procedures to all internal and external stakeholders.
- Improve the integrity of the Product Nonconformity process by expediting the evaluation of responses and ensuring timely closure of open issues.
- Develop and mentor a high-performing quality team, fostering accountability, technical excellence, and customer-centricity.
- Manage the process for reviewing and monitoring the implementation of all corrective actions submitted.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders across the organization to identify and implement process improvements that enhance quality outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Interact directly with suppliers and customers on critical and complex sales issues.
- Communicate Saxco's quality expectations to new and existing suppliers and work with them to develop a proactive and actionable plan to deliver a competitive advantage with quality products and systems.
- Provide quality support for the Sales, Operations, and Purchasing groups to pursue new Customer accounts.
- Establish KPIs and dashboards to monitor quality performance across packaging formats and customer groups.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities*
- Experience with glass packaging, closures, and related processes (manufacturing, filling, labeling, capping) is a distinct advantage
- Strong background in continuous improvement initiatives
- Experience with ISO standards, key metrics, and quality audits
- Well versed on Quality's impact on Customer Experience
- Ability to listen to customers and translate into accurate, actionable outcomes
- Ability to travel as needed (approximately 25% to 35%)
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Environment/Physical Requirements
- This is a hybrid role, requiring a mix of remote work, office work, and time spent in a warehouse setting.
- The position involves constant use of a keyboard, mouse, and computer while seated.
- The role occasionally requires standing and walking, especially during site visits or warehouse activities.
- Must be able to lift and handle cases of wine, individual bottles of wine, or empty wine bottles, with a maximum weight of up to 40 pounds.
- This position requires travel approximately 25% to 35% of the time, which may involve visiting suppliers, customers, or Saxco locations.
- The warehouse setting may expose the employee to varying temperatures, dust, and noise typical of a manufacturing or distribution environment.
- Standard office conditions when working from the corporate office or remote location, with frequent meetings and collaboration.
Minimum Requirements
- At least 10 years of Quality Assurance experience.
- Minimum 5 years supervisory/management experience
- Bachelor's degree in Quality/Industrial Management, Engineering, or other technical disciplines preferred
