LOCATION: MAINE, USA (RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR EXPERIENCED US CITIZENS ONLY)

Our client is a long-established leader in the design and construction of marine vessels, with nearly a century of craftsmanship and innovation behind them. With 10 locations across the United States and a workforce of over 700 employees, they are now seeking to appoint a Vice President of Quality to spearhead their quality transformation program. This newly created role represents an exciting opportunity for an accomplished quality leader to shape and embed a best-in-class Quality Management System (QMS) across the business.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

We are seeking a proven quality leader with experience operating at Director or Vice President level (or equivalent senior leadership roles) in a multi-site manufacturing environment. Candidates should demonstrate:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Engineering, Manufacturing, or similar).
• At least 10 years’ experience in manufacturing leadership with a focus on establishing and embedding quality culture.
• A track record of building and deploying quality programs from the ground up.
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and supply chain management.
• Expertise in quality audits, compliance, and continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma).
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to gain buy-in across all levels of the organisation.
• Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Please note: Candidates from industries heavily focused on ISO, FDA, or automotive/semiconductor/pharma compliance will not be considered. Instead, backgrounds in assembly operations, moulding, or electro-mechanical manufacturing are well-suited.

THE ROLE

The Vice President of Quality will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer and will be the driving force behind establishing a robust quality culture across all sites. Starting with the flagship boatyard in coastal Maine, you will design, implement, and roll out a company-wide QMS that optimises productivity, ensures consistent quality, and supports the long-term strategic objectives of the business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and leading the company’s strategic quality plan in alignment with business goals.
• Establishing clear quality measures, KPIs, and audit programs.
• Conducting a full audit of current operations before implementing structured improvements.
• Embedding Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Providing leadership to a team of Quality Engineers and Technicians on site, as well as developing a scalable framework for other locations.
• Partnering with Plant Managers and senior stakeholders to secure buy-in and drive cultural change.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing QA staff across multiple sites, building future leadership capability.
• Driving root cause analysis, corrective action, and data-driven decision-making to enhance product quality and operational performance.

We are seeking a proven quality leader with experience operating at Director or Vice President level (or equivalent senior leadership roles) in a multi-site manufacturing environment. Candidates should demonstrate:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Engineering, Manufacturing, or similar).
• At least 10 years’ experience in manufacturing leadership with a focus on establishing and embedding quality culture.
• A track record of building and deploying quality programs from the ground up.
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and supply chain management.
• Expertise in quality audits, compliance, and continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma).
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to gain buy-in across all levels of the organisation.
• Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills