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GEA Group · 3 days ago

Director Quality and Continuous Improvement

Hudson, WI

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$140K/yr - $160K/yr

10+ years exp

GEA Group is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving various industries including food and beverage, pharma, and dairy. The Director of Quality and Continuous Improvement will lead and oversee the company's Lean Six Sigma and Quality Management System to ensure high standards of quality across production processes while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive improvement initiatives.

Food ProcessingIndustrialSupply Chain Management

No H1B

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive quality management and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) system across manufacturing—including welding, sheet metal, metal finishing, and engineering—to meet industry standards and customer requirements

Lead, train, and support the quality team, providing guidance, feedback, and accountability to achieve high-quality results

Define and monitor quality metrics, goals, and objectives, using data analysis to identify improvement opportunities and preventive actions; collaborate with engineering, design, and CoCs as needed

Work with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve quality issues using root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions

Develop and maintain quality control plans and standard operating procedures to ensure consistent quality practices across manufacturing, assembly, and installation

Lead quality management and LSS initiatives, including customer complaint resolution, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions

Drive continuous improvement using SPC, lean principles, and Six Sigma methodologies to enhance product quality, reduce defects, and increase efficiency

Monitor industry trends, regulations, and best practices; provide strategic recommendations to maintain compliance and competitive advantage

Build strong relationships with stakeholders to support effective communication and collaboration on quality matters

Represent the company in customer audits, quality certifications, and industry events to demonstrate commitment to quality excellence

Support LPT NAM procurement with audits and assist engineering in resolving quality or performance issues

Partner with Operational Excellence and regional Lean Managers to implement sustainable LSS concepts

Encourage teams to challenge the status quo and identify opportunities to improve existing processes

Promote positive engagement, motivate teams through change, and help shift traditional mindsets

Share LSS best practices, validate cost savings (with Production Managers), and report achievements

Collaborate with GEA’s LSS organization, coordinators, and local LSS managers

Identify LSS training needs and coordinate training across the region

Identify potential LSS Belt candidates; train and mentor them through certification

Evaluate progress of LSS improvement projects and provide feedback to the Head of Operational Excellence and LSS Steering Committee

Ensure adherence to OSHA and GEA safety standards

Implement processes to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and GEA Group standards

Act as a champion of GEA values, aspirations, and objectives for the business and LPT NAM division

Perform all other duties as assigned

Occasional travel within GEA locations to support audits, training, collaboration, and project execution

Qualification

Lean Six SigmaQuality Management SystemQuality Management PrinciplesData AnalysisProject ManagementTechnical ExpertiseChange ManagementFluent in EnglishCommunication SkillsLeadership AbilitiesInterpersonal Skills