Job Description

Ichor Systems has an immediate opening for a Director of Quality – North America Operations This is a senior leadership role responsible for setting the strategic direction, execution, and continuous improvement of quality systems across all North American manufacturing, sites. This role ensures products, processes, and operations consistently meet regulatory requirements, industry standards, and customer expectations. The Director partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to drive a culture of quality excellence and operational performance.

Reporting to the VP of Production Engineering, Quality & CI, this position may be at any of the Ichor offices located in Austin, TX, Sauk Rapids, MN or Fremont, CA.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a quality strategy aligned to corporate operational goals and global quality objectives.
• Serve as the senior quality leader for all North American manufacturing locations.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, quality objectives, and performance dashboards to improve organizational visibility and accountability.

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

• Own and continuously improve the QMS across all North American operations in alignment with corporate standards and regulatory expectations.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, and customer‑specific requirements.
• Lead internal and external audit readiness and response activities.

Operations & Manufacturing Quality

• Oversee product quality, process capability, and quality engineering activities at all regional sites.
• Support and guide corrective and preventive action (CAPA) investigations, ensuring timely and effective closure.
• Partner with Operations leadership to enhance process controls, reduce defects, increase yield, and improve overall product reliability.

Customer & Supplier Quality

• Lead customer escalation resolution and ensure rapid, high‑quality responses.
• Oversee supplier quality function, and improvement activities in partnership with supply chain management organization.
• Strengthen relationships with key customers, and suppliers regarding quality performance.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and defect‑reduction initiatives across the region.
• Drive harmonization of quality processes and best practices across all sites.
• Lead digital transformation efforts within Quality (e.g., eQMS, analytics, automation).

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of quality managers, engineers, and specialists.
• Build organizational capability via training, coaching, and succession planning.
• Foster a proactive culture of quality, safety, and operational excellence.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field required. Advanced degree (MS, MBA) preferred.
• Professional certifications such as ASQ CQE, CQM/OE, or Six Sigma Black Belt a plus.
• 10–15+ years of progressively responsible experience in Quality within manufacturing or operations settings with 5+ years in multi‑site leadership roles.
• Proven success implementing, maintaining, and improving QMS systems.
• Experience interfacing with regulatory bodies and major customers.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change in complex, matrixed organizations.
• Data‑driven mindset with strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.