质量总监

Quality Director

Work Location: Chicago

Salary: approximately $200,000

Industry: tie1 or battery

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

1. Quality Strategy and System Development (Localization)

1. Formulate the base quality strategy, annual quality objectives, and zero-defect plans, covering the entire process from battery cells, modules, PACK, to energy storage systems.

2. Establish and implement overseas mandatory certification systems such as ISO9001, IATF16949, ISO14001, ISO45001, UL9540, IEC62619, and NFPA.

3. Output quality manuals, procedural documents, inspection standards, and traceability specifications that meet the requirements of clients (energy storage / automotive manufacturers). Lead client audits, third-party certifications, and government factory inspections to ensure zero major non-conformities.

2. End-to-end quality control for battery cells + PACK (full process)

1. IQC for incoming materials: Core supplier access, rating, review, and guidance for key components such as battery cell positive/negative electrodes, separators, electrolytes, copper foil/aluminum foil, BMS, PCS, structural parts, and connectors, to control risks of defective and inconsistent incoming materials.

2. Process IPQC: Quality control for the entire process including electrode fabrication, coating, rolling, slitting, winding/laminating, electrolyte filling, formation, capacity allocation, module welding, PACK assembly, BMS calibration, and energy storage system integration; leading the implementation of SPC, CPK, yield improvement, error-proofing, and traceability systems to reduce process defects and scrap.

3)Finished Product FQC/OQC: Cell electrical performance, safety (overcharge/overdischarge/thermal runaway), cycle life, consistency; PACK/energy storage system insulation, withstand voltage, BMS functionality, grid compatibility, UL safety testing and release, ensuring 100% compliance for shipment.

4. Major Exception Closure: Lead root cause analysis of batch defects, thermal runaway, safety incidents, and customer complaints through 8D/5Why/FMEA, develop and track CAPA implementation, and drive long-term prevention and yield improvement.

3. Supply Chain Quality

1. Manage the quality of domestic and international suppliers, establish a tiered access system, monthly performance evaluations, annual audits, and a quality claim mechanism, while promoting PPAP/PSW in the supply chain, material inspection exemptions, and quality cost optimization.

2. Interface with the China headquarters SQE to synchronize quality standards, share abnormal information, and jointly improve processes, ensuring supply chain consistency across bases.

4. Customer Quality and Compliance

1. Interface with overseas energy storage operators, grid companies, and automotive OEMs to address complaints, conduct inspections, reviews, and technical clarifications, and produce English 8D/corrective/preventive reports to ensure customer satisfaction ≥95%.

2. Gain in-depth understanding of overseas energy storage grid connection standards, safety regulations, battery transportation/recycling compliance, and lead UL, CSA, NERC, FERC certifications and annual maintenance.

5. Team Building and Cross-Cultural Management

1. Establish a local quality team (including engineers, inspectors, laboratories, and systems) to foster a quality culture that integrates Chinese and foreign approaches and enables efficient collaboration.

2. Lead the training of key quality tools (SPC/FMEA/MSA/8D), Six Sigma, and Lean quality projects to enhance team expertise and problem-solving efficiency.

6. Digital Management and Continuous Improvement

1. Establish a quality data platform to monitor core KPIs such as incoming material defect rate, process yield rate, finished product qualification rate, customer complaint rate, scrap cost, and on-time delivery rate, and regularly submit English quality reports to the base general manager and the global quality headquarters.

2. Promote quality cost optimization, process capability enhancement, and a zero-defect culture, benchmark against leading overseas battery manufacturers (such as Tesla and LGES), and continuously improve the quality competitiveness of the base.

Job Requirements:

1. Full-time undergraduate or higher degree, master's preferred; majors in electrochemistry, materials science, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, quality management, or related fields;

2. Over 10 years of quality management experience in the lithium battery / energy storage industry, including more than 5 years as a full-process quality leader for battery cells + PACK, and over 3 years as a quality director or equivalent role in overseas battery factories.

3. Familiar with battery cell manufacturing processes, module/PACK assembly, and energy storage system integration, with practical experience in quality management for large-scale battery factories;

4. Gain in-depth understanding of overseas energy storage/automotive battery market quality standards, customer needs, and compliance requirements (UL/IATF 16949/OSHA). Prior experience with companies such as Tesla, LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and NextEra Energy is preferred;

5. Proficient in ISO9001, IATF16949, ISO14001, ISO45001, UL9540, IEC62619, and other standards, with extensive experience in applying quality tools such as SPC, FMEA, MSA, PPAP, 8D, 5Why, Six Sigma, and Lean.

6. Proficient in battery cell performance testing, safety testing, cycle life testing, PACK/BMS testing, and grid-connected testing methods and standards for energy storage systems.

7. Proficient in operating QMS, MES, LIMS, and quality traceability systems, with the ability to conduct digital quality analysis and reporting.

8. Proficient in English (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), capable of using it as a working language; knowledge of Chinese is preferred;

9. Exceptional strategic thinking, global perspective, and cross-cultural management capabilities, capable of balancing quality, cost, delivery, and safety, driving the establishment and implementation of a base quality system from scratch;

10. Strong in principles, resilient under pressure, and outstanding in solving complex problems, capable of independently leading major quality crises, customer complaints, and system audits, while driving long-term improvements;

11. Excellent leadership, communication and coordination skills, and team-building capabilities to establish an efficient, professional, and international quality team, fostering the integration and synergy of Chinese and foreign cultures;

12. Possess a legal status that allows for long-term work overseas, such as permanent residency or citizenship.