The Quality Management Systems (QMS) Lead is responsible for maintaining, improving, and optimizing the organization’s Quality Management System. This role focuses on driving an end-to-end process approach, collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders, and implementing continuous improvement methodologies. The QMS Lead will leverage Lean and Six Sigma Black Belt expertise to enhance business processes, ensure compliance, and establish best practices across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
1. QMS Maintenance & Compliance
• Maintain and continuously update the Quality Management System to ensure alignment with relevant standards (e.g., ISO 9001 or other applicable frameworks).
• Conduct internal audits, support external audits, and ensure timely closure of corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor compliance across departments and guide teams on QMS requirements and documentation.
2. Quality System Improvement
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the QMS structure, workflows, and documentation practices.
• Drive initiatives to improve system effectiveness, reduce complexity, and enhance overall quality performance.
• Implement process controls and quality standards to support organizational goals.
3. End-to-End Process Management
• Promote a process-based approach across the organization by mapping, analyzing, and optimizing end-to-end processes.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality benchmarks.
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops to improve visibility, ownership, and performance of key processes.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with various internal stakeholders (operations, engineering, supply chain, HR, IT, etc.) to identify gaps and implement improvements.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on quality and process excellence methodologies.
• Ensure alignment of quality initiatives with business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Facilitate workshops and working groups to achieve alignment on process goals, critical-to-quality (CTQ) requirements, and improvement priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor for quality and process excellence within cross-functional teams.
5. Continuous Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma
• Apply Lean and Six Sigma principles to reduce waste, improve productivity, and optimize processes.
• Lead complex improvement projects using DMAIC and other structured problem-solving methods.
• Coach and mentor teams on continuous improvement tools and best practices.
6. Best Practices & Knowledge Sharing
• Establish and promote best practices in quality management and process excellence.
• Develop training materials and deliver QMS-related training across the organization.
• Track industry trends and identify opportunities to incorporate new tools and approaches into the QMS.
7. Quality System Optimization & Cost Reduction
• Identify, analyze, and reduce Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) and organizational value leakage.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to address root causes of process inefficiencies and quality issues.
• Introduce measurement systems to track quality performance and ensure sustainable improvements.
8. Business KPIs & Analytics
• Demonstrate full knowledge of business KPIs (quality, operational, financial, customer) and how they interconnect.
• Analyze performance trends to identify improvement opportunities, reduce variation, and strengthen process capability.
• Recommend and implement KPI improvements, dashboards, and monitoring systems to track progress and ensure sustainability.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality Management, Business, or related field.
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt certification required.
• 10+ years of experience in quality management, process improvement, change management or similar roles.
• Strong knowledge of ISO standards, QMS frameworks, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience with process mapping tools and quality software systems is a plus.
• Lead Auditor Certified
At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.
Read more on www.kone.com/careers