Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOG), was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.  Apogee is a growing, profitable company with annual revenues approaching $1.5 billion.  We provide distinctive metal and glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings, and glass and acrylic solutions for picture framing and display applications. To learn more visit: www.apog.com.

The Apogee Performance Surfaces segment has grown from $100M to $200M in revenue through a recent acquisition. Our brands in the Performance Surfaces portfolio develop and manufacture high-performance coated materials for a variety of applications, including wall décor, museums, graphic design, architectural interiors, digital display, and industrial flooring markets. We are the global leader in anti-reflective, conservation grade electrostatic dissipative, high-definition, and abrasion resistance coatings, that provide protection, innovative designs, and exceptional durability.

Position Summary

The Director of Quality – Manufacturing (Customer Focus) is responsible for driving product and process excellence across the organization with a strong emphasis on meeting customer expectations and enhancing satisfaction. This role leads quality assurance and control efforts in a manufacturing setting while ensuring that customer feedback, complaints, and quality requirements are systematically addressed and used to drive continuous improvement. This leader will be a key advocate for the voice of the customer throughout the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a customer-focused quality strategy across manufacturing operations.

• Build and lead a high-performing quality team across multiple sites; coach, mentor, and develop local quality managers and engineers.

• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and customer-centric quality throughout the organization.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the quality team and customers to resolve quality issues and ensure compliance with their specifications and expectations.

• Analyze customer complaints, returns, and satisfaction surveys to drive root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Develop and manage quality metrics that reflect both internal performance and customer experience (e.g., PPM, OTIF, NCR trends, customer scorecards).

• Lead Quality Reviews, Bowler chart reviews, and collaborate on product and process audits.

• Oversee audits and quality reviews with key customers and manage responses to corrective action requests (CARs).

• Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Engineering, and Production to ensure product quality meets or exceeds customer requirements.

• Drive supplier quality programs to ensure purchased components meet quality and customer standards.

• Implement and maintain compliance with relevant quality certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100).

• Identify systemic risks and develop mitigation plans to protect brand integrity and operational consistency.

• Champion data-driven decision-making using statistical analysis, SPC, Six Sigma, and/or Lean methodologies.

• Use Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to enhance product quality and reduce customer complaints.

• Evaluate and recommend new quality tools, automation, and digital platforms for modernizing quality operations.

Personal Attributes and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field (Master’s degree a plus).

• 10+ years of experience in a manufacturing quality leadership role, with a strong track record of customer engagement.

• Deep understanding of customer quality requirements in manufacturing environments.

• Knowledge of quality systems and standards (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100).

• Experience with customer audits, scorecards, and continuous improvement based on customer feedback.

• Six Sigma certification (Black Belt preferred), CQE, or similar quality credentials.

• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills with a collaborative mindset.

• Proven experience working directly with customers to resolve complex quality issues.

Work Environment

• Office and manufacturing floor setting.

• Travel for customer site visits, audits, or issue resolution.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $160,000

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Our Benefits

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.