Job Description

The Global Quality Manufacturing Lead for Hydro Power is responsible for defining, implementing, and sustaining the global quality strategy across the hydro manufacturing footprint. This role ensures that all facilities producing hydro turbines, generators, auxiliaries, and related components consistently meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, performance, and compliance.
The incumbent will lead a culture of operational excellence through the Zero Defect Framework, Build-in Quality (BIQ), and One Process, One Product principles to drive standardization, reduce variation, and strengthen product quality across all global sites.

Key responsibilities

• Quality Strategy & Governance: Define and standardize global quality policies, procedures, and KPIs aligned to the unique requirements of Hydro Power manufacturing and applicable quality management systems, codes, and customer requirements.
• Zero Defect Framework: Lead the deployment of a Zero Defect Framework across all hydro manufacturing sites, focusing on defect prevention, early detection, and systematic elimination of quality escapes.
• Build-in Quality (BIQ) Deployment: Champion Build-in Quality practices by embedding quality controls into design, fabrication, machining, assembly, testing, and commissioning stages to minimize reliance on inspection and rework.
• One Process, One Product Standardization: Drive the “One Process, One Product” methodology across the global hydro footprint to ensure consistent, repeatable, and validated manufacturing processes regardless of site location.
• Operational Excellence: Partner with plant leadership to implement continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies to improve quality, productivity, and reliability.
• Quality Performance Monitoring: Monitor and report global quality performance metrics, including Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), rework, scrap, non-conformance trends, field failures, and warranty performance. Translate data into actionable improvement plans.
• Audit & Compliance: Lead internal and external quality audits, support customer audits, and ensure compliance with relevant standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Supplier Quality Oversight: Collaborate with Supply Chain and Engineering to manage supplier quality for critical hydro components such as castings, weldments, machined parts, and electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve as the quality representative for new product introduction, design changes, major repairs, and manufacturing transfers or ramp-ups.
• Culture Development: Coach and develop local quality teams to strengthen root-cause analysis, robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Required qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: Robust experience in manufacturing quality, including at least in a global or multi-site leadership role, preferably in hydro, heavy industrial equipment, or power generation.
• Language skills:Advanced proficiency in English (verbal and written).
• Technical Knowledge: Strong knowledge of quality tools and methods such as FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, RCA, and CAPA.
• Certifications: Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt preferred; ASQ certification or equivalent is a plus.
• Travel: Ability to travel globally approximately 25–40% as required.

Desired characteristics

• Proven ability to influence across a matrixed, global organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret quality data and drive decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, reliability, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
• Experience working in a multi-site manufacturing environment with diverse cultures and processes.

Additional Information