Divisional Quality & DOT Compliance Manager The Divisional Quality & DOT Compliance Manager is responsible for leading quality management systems, regulatory compliance, customer quality performance, and Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance activities across multiple manufacturing and service locations within the region. This role ensures adherence to company quality standards, federal transportation regulations (PHMSA/49 CFR), hazardous materials packaging specifications, and continuous improvement objectives while driving operational excellence and customer satisfaction. The position serves as the primary subject matter expert for quality systems, regulatory compliance, container certification, transportation requirements, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Essential Responsibilities:
Quality Management: Lead implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS) across assigned facilities.
Ensure compliance with internal quality procedures, customer specifications, and applicable industry standards.
Manage supplier quality evaluations, incoming raw material specifications, and vendor corrective action requests (VCARs).Conduct quality audits and compliance assessments and lead QMS Management reviews with regional leadership.
Monitor and analyze quality performance metrics and KPIs for internal and field performance industrial packaging.
Lead root cause investigations and corrective/preventive action programs.
Maintain customer complaint systems and drive resolution through investigation.
Facilitate customer quality visits and audits.
Support new product process validation activities.
Drive standardization of quality practices, testing protocols, and documentation across all facilitiesDOT and Regulatory Compliance: Serve as the subject matter expert for DOT (PHMSA) and hazardous materials transportation regulations (49 CFR).Oversee UN packaging design-type testing, periodic re-testing, and closure instruction certifications across regional facilities.
Review and approve packaging design modifications and container specifications for regulatory compliance.
Interpret and communicate regulatory updates to operations, engineering, and sales teams. Maintain complete and auditable records required for transportation, hazardous materials packaging certifications, and agency compliance.
Coordinate regulatory agency inspections, audits, and inquiries (DOT, EPA, state regulators).Investigate transportation incidents, container failures, and non-compliance events, managing reporting requirements where applicable.
Support facility transportation compliance programs, hazard communication standards, and employee training initiatives.
Continuous Improvement: Lead continuous improvement projects focused on quality, safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause methodologies.
Develop action plans to improve customer satisfaction and operational performance. Identify opportunities to reduce defects, scrap, rework, and compliance risk.
Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving teams. Leadership & Training: Provide leadership and technical guidance to facility quality personnel.
Conduct regulatory and quality training programs.
Develop compliance awareness throughout the organization.
Mentor site personnel on quality tools and methodologies.
Build strong relationships with operations, engineering, customer service, and senior leadership teams. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):Customer complaint rate and claim resolution cycle time.
Internal defect rate and First-Pass Yield.
Corrective action closure performance and effectiveness.
Audit findings, compliance scores, and zero critical DOT/regulatory violationsUN Packaging certification and re-testing compliance rate.
Cost of poor quality (COPQ)
On-time completion of required DOT/HAZMAT training
Continuous improvement project savings
Required Qualifications:
Education Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quality Management, Industrial Technology, Environmental Health & Safety, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Experience 5+ years of quality management experience in a manufacturing environment.3+ years of regulatory compliance experience. Experience with DOT hazardous materials regulations and transportation requirements. Experience leading audits, investigations, and corrective actions. Multi-site or regional support experience preferred.
