Vertical Quality Director – Transportation & Energy, Aerospace & Defense

Quality Director overseeing quality functions and strategy for Aerospace & Defense sectors at 3M. Leading cross-functional teams to improve quality standards and address complex challenges.

Posted 6/12/2026full-timeMaplewood • Minnesota, Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $250,253 - $305,864 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Leads long ‑ term quality strategy for the Transportation & Energy / Aerospace & Defense Verticals by partnering with TEBG and ESC leadership, interpreting industry and customer trends, and setting cross ‑ business quality guidelines and improvement initiatives
Oversees functional strategic planning, including budgeting, resource allocation, and approval of budget deviations, ensuring the organization is positioned to meet business objectives
Directs multiple quality functions-such as customer quality, product quality control, incoming inspection, and warranty analysis-by setting priorities, assigning resources, monitoring customer health metrics, and ensuring high ‑ quality operational execution
Provides leadership to managers and teams through coaching, performance management, conflict resolution, and development, while fostering a strong “Quality Is My Job” culture
Solves highly complex quality challenges requiring cross ‑ functional collaboration, innovation, and advanced analytical skills, making decisions with long ‑ term impact across multiple regions and business groups
Represents the Quality function with senior executives and external stakeholders, providing strategic recommendations, leading QMS activities (including ISO audits and reviews), and ensuring alignment with corporate programs, policies, and 3M values

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
Twelve (12) years of experience in a quality or manufacturing setting in a private, public, government or military environment
Five (5) years of experience in a Quality or Manufacturing leadership position in a private, public, government or military environment
Advanced expertise across multiple quality disciplines, such as quality assurance, product quality control, incoming inspection, Six Sigma, ISO standards, and warranty analysis
Experience administering and maintaining ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
Strong project management capabilities, with a track record of leading complex, cross ‑ functional initiatives
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage senior leadership, peers, teams, customers, and regulatory stakeholders
Proficiency with corporate systems and digital tools commonly used in Quality functions, along with strong English verbal and written communication skills
Experience with Statistical Process Control and other advanced analytical methods used to manage and improve quality performance
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical
Dental & Vision
Health Savings Accounts
Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Disability Benefits
Life Insurance
Voluntary Benefits
Paid Absences
Retirement Benefits

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

quality assuranceproduct quality controlincoming inspectionSix SigmaISO standardsISO 9001 Quality Management SystemsStatistical Process Controladvanced analytical methodsproject managementbudgeting

Soft Skills

leadershipcoachingperformance managementconflict resolutioncommunicationpresentation skillscross-functional collaborationinnovationstrategic recommendationsengagement