Director, Quality Assurance

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Regional Director of Quality is accountable for leading and governing all Quality functions across multiple manufacturing sites within an assigned geographic region, supporting direct OEM customer relationships. This role ensures flawless execution of IATF 16949, OEM customer-specific requirements (CSRs), and Tier 1 launch, manufacturing, supplier, and warranty obligations.

This position serves as the senior Quality authority and primary escalation point for OEM customers, driving zero-defect performance, on-time launches, and aggressive reduction of customer complaints and warranty risk.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Quality Direction

• Define and execute the regional Quality strategy aligned to OEM expectations, program commitments, and commercial objectives
• Lead, mentor, and develop site Quality Managers and regional technical Quality resources
• Establish clear Quality governance, escalation paths, and ownership for customer, supplier, and manufacturing issues
• Embed a zero-defect, quality-first, and customer-centric Quality culture across all sites

IATF 16949 & OEM Compliance

• Ensure consistent and effective deployment of IATF 16949 and OEM CSRs across all regional sites
• Own regional accountability for internal, external, and customer audit performance
• Drive standardization of Core Tool application (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, Control Plans)
• Ensure robust change management (engineering changes, supplier changes, process changes) compliant with OEM approval requirements

APQP, Launch Excellence & Program Quality

• Own regional Quality performance for all new product and process launches
• Ensure disciplined execution of APQP milestones from sourcing through SOP and beyond
• Lead successful PPAP submissions and approvals for OEM programs
• Ensure Safe Launch / GP-12 / Controlled Shipping processes are properly executed and exited
• Partner with Program Management and Engineering to manage launch risk and readiness

Customer Quality & OEM Interface

• Serve as the executive Quality interface with OEM and Tier 1 customer Quality leadership
• Lead resolution of customer complaints, line shutdowns, field issues, and quality spills
• Ensure consistent, high-quality 8D / KT problem-solving and containment execution
• Own and improve OEM customer scorecards
• Support commercial discussions where Quality performance impacts awards, sourcing, or recovery costs

Warranty & Field Quality

• Own regional warranty quality strategy and performance
• Drive root cause analysis of field failures using structured problem-solving
• Partner with Engineering on design robustness, lessons learned, and design changes
• Lead cross-functional actions to reduce warranty exposure and cost

Operational Quality & Manufacturing Excellence

• Drive improvements in first-pass yield, defect reduction, scrap, rework, and COPQ
• Partner with Operations and Manufacturing Engineering to improve process capability (Cpk / Ppk)
• Ensure robust layered process audits (LPA) and standardized problem-solving methodologies
• Promote consistency in quality standards and execution across sites

Metrics, Governance & Reporting

• Own regional Quality KPIs including customer PPM, IpB, Scorecards, audit findings, and COPQ
• Use data-driven insights to identify systemic issues and prioritize improvement actions
• Provide clear and transparent Quality status reporting to executive and regional leadership

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical field (preferred)
• Master’s degree or MBA (preferred)

Experience

• 12+ years of progressive Automotive Quality experience, preferably within Tier 1 organizations
• Proven multi-site or regional Quality leadership experience
• Extensive experience supporting OEM customers and managing direct OEM relationships
• Strong launch, APQP, PPAP, and warranty leadership background
• Experience and competency in facilitating DFMEA, PFMEA and Control Plan teams

Skills & Competencies

• Executive-level communication and customer-facing leadership
• Strong influencing skills across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams
• Ability to manage high-pressure customer escalations and protect commercial outcomes
• Change leadership and standardization across multiple facilities
• Expertise in all AIAG core tools (AQP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC and PPAP) and structured problem-solving (5-Why, 8D, KT, Six Sigma)

Certifications (Preferred)

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent

Travel

• 50% travel within the region, customer sites, and supplier locations

Position Type:

Regular

Additional Locations:

Additional Information:

Cooper Standard is proud of its diverse workforce and committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, age, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are dedicated to creating an environment at work that not only values diversity but also encourages inclusion and a sense of belonging. We firmly believe that a diverse workplace fosters an environment where our employees can flourish and provide superior service to our customers. Because we recognize and value the range of ways in which people acquire experiences, whether personal, professional, or via education or volunteerism, we invite interested applicants to evaluate the key duties and requirements and apply for any opportunities that fit your experience and qualifications. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as certain state and/or local laws. If you believe you require such assistance to complete our online application or to participate in an interview, you (or someone on your behalf) may request assistance by emailing recruitment@cooperstandard.com with a description of the accommodation you seek. Application materials submitted to this email address will not be considered.

Remote Status:

Hybrid