Director, Quality Assurance

Cooper-Standard Automotive

Job Location:

Northville, NY - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 5 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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)
Masters 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 with a description of the accommodation you seek. Application materials submitted to this email address will not be considered.

Remote Status:

Hybrid

Required Experience:

Director

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 O...