Job Details

Director of Quality

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Director of Quality for a direct-hire position at a cutting-edge client in Portland, OR. If you're passionate about bringing the latest scientific discoveries to life and are ready to take the next step in your career, trust The Experts at Hiring Experts.

Salary: $160,000 - $190,000/year +

Schedule: Full-time, Exempt

Overview

This client is an industry-leading company in high-purity chemical manufacturing for semiconductor and advanced technology applications. The Director of Quality leads the Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and Quality Management System (QMS) functions across the organization. This role is responsible for developing and executing strategic quality initiatives that ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. The Director partners cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and HR to embed quality throughout the enterprise.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement a company-wide quality vision aligned with the Client's strategic and operational goals.
• Lead and mentor QA, QC, and QMS teams, promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Champion the integration of quality practices into organizational planning and execution.

Quality Assurance & Control Oversight

• Oversee QA and QC teams to ensure timely and accurate testing, documentation, and release of materials.
• Direct QA activities including risk management, documentation control, audit preparedness, and supplier quality.
• Supervise QC practices to confirm sampling, inspections, and testing meet specifications.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex quality issues.

Quality Management Systems

• Develop and maintain a compliant QMS aligned with industry standards.
• Lead internal and external audits, including customer and regulatory inspections.
• Manage audit response plans and corrective/preventive actions.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards to monitor quality performance.

Change Management

• Own and oversee the quality change control process.
• Chair or participate in the Change Control Board (CCB).
• Ensure impact assessments and validation requirements are executed.
• Lead communication and training plans for change implementation.
• Monitor effectiveness of changes post-implementation.

Regulatory & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and proactively address risks.
• Oversee quality risk assessments and mitigation planning.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics, and Sales to ensure quality is built into product and process design.
• Participate in product lifecycle reviews and customer complaint investigations.
• Partner with HR to deliver quality-focused training programs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related technical field (Master's preferred).
• 12+ years of progressive quality experience in manufacturing or chemical processing, with 5+ years in leadership.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with NFPA codes, SEMI standards, cleanroom protocols, OSHA regulations, and PPE requirements.
• Proven success in QMS implementation, audit leadership, and cross-functional quality initiatives.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Visionary yet hands-on leadership style
• High integrity and ability to inspire trust
• Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency with ERP systems and quality software
• Resilience, adaptability, and a team-first mindset

What happens next:

Once you apply, you'll proceed to next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. But don't worry – even if this position doesn't work out, you're still in our network. That means our team of expert Science & Clinical recruiters will have access to your profile, making your opportunities limitless.