The Director, Quality Assurance is responsible for leading the enterprise-wide quality assurance function with a prevention-oriented, proactive, and “boots on the ground” approach across all Malibu Boats Inc. manufacturing facilities. This role owns advanced quality planning, in-plant quality systems, process audits, quality gates, defect containment, and the flow of work through production. The Director ensures that robust quality assurance processes are embedded at every stage of manufacturing to prevent defects, protect the customer, and drive operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Advanced Quality Planning
- Lead enterprise-wide advanced product quality planning (APQP) activities to ensure quality is designed into new products and processes.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and inspection standards.
- Partner with Engineering and Operations to ensure quality readiness for new product introductions (NPI) and engineering changes.
- Establish and maintain quality gates and checkpoints throughout the manufacturing process.
In-Plant Quality Assurance
- Oversee all in-plant quality assurance activities, including process audits, layered process audits, and product inspections.
- Ensure quality assurance processes are proactive, prevention-focused, and embedded in daily operations at every facility.
- Lead defect containment, non-conformance management, and disposition processes for in-process and finished goods.
- Monitor and drive production quality KPIs, including first pass yield, defect rates, scrap, and rework.
Process & Flow of Work
- Ensure the flow of work through production is supported by robust quality checkpoints and feedback loops.
- Drive standardization of quality assurance processes and best practices across all manufacturing sites.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective action activities for in-plant quality events and escapes.
- Champion the use of statistical process control (SPC), data analytics, and visual management to monitor and improve process performance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Continuous Improvement to align quality assurance priorities and resources.
- Participate in production planning and new product launch activities to ensure quality assurance readiness.
- Communicate quality assurance performance, risks, and improvement results to executive leadership and plant management.
People Leadership
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing quality assurance team across all manufacturing facilities.
- Promote a culture of prevention, accountability, and pride in quality at the plant level.
- Develop talent and succession plans to ensure long-term quality assurance capability and growth.
#MBICareers #MalibuBoats
QualificationsQualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- 10+ years of progressive experience in plant quality assurance and/or manufacturing quality in an industrial environment.
- Deep expertise in APQP, PFMEA, control plans, and in-plant quality systems.
- Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
- Proven track record of leading quality assurance teams and driving defect prevention in a manufacturing setting.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and change management abilities.
- Experience with quality management software, SPC tools, and data analytics platforms.
Competencies
- Prevention-oriented and proactive mindset
- Advanced quality planning expertise
- Leadership and team development
- Data-driven decision making
- Process discipline and standardization
- Cross-functional collaboration and influence
- Change management
- Accountability and integrity
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Continuous/C = 67-100%, Frequent/F = 33-66%, Occasional/O = 33%, None/N
Sits hours
Stands hours
Walks hours
Drives hours
Employee Lifts and/or Carries: type amount of weight in each area
Maximum: 50 (lbs) Frequently: 20 (lbs) Occasionally: 35 (lbs)
Employee uses Hands for repetitive activities:
Simple Grasping: Right, Left,
Pushing/Pulling: Right, Left,
Fine Manipulation: Right, Left,
Employee uses Feet for repetitive activities:
Right: Left:
Employee is required to perform these activities:
Bending At Waist:
Squatting:
Climbing Ladders, Stairs:
Kneeling On Ground:
Reaching Above Shoulder:
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job (i.e., heat/cold, dust/dampness, height; chemical; noise) PPE requirements are included. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Typical 10-hour workdays based upon facility.
- Typical 4- or 5-day work week schedule based upon facility and schedule loading.
- Overtime is occasional to frequent based on a number of factors.
- Required to work indoors and outdoors, year-round and in all weather conditions.
- May be required to work during production shutdowns or other “off-schedule” periods to conduct special activities.
- Safety glasses required while in production areas
- Other PPE may be required based on specific projects.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Accountability, dependability, adaptability, and flexibility
- Coaching, mentoring
- Creative, innovative thinker
- Good decision making and judgment
- Leadership
- Ethics, integrity, honesty
- Willingness to learn
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Motivation: Measures self against standard of excellence.
Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time.
Dependability: Takes responsibility for own actions.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related field
- Master's degree
- 10+ years progressive experience in plant or manufacturing quality
- Deep expertise in APQP, PFMEA, control plans, and in-plant quality systems
- Six Sigma Black Belt certification
- Proven track record leading quality assurance teams and driving defect prevention
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement skills
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and change management abilities
- Experience with quality management software, SPC tools, and data analytics platforms
What We Do
Malibu Boats, Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and sells various recreational powerboats. It is the world's largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, owning over one-third of the worldwide market share.
