Quality Manager at Smiths Group in Costa Rica

companyDescription About Smiths Interconnect: Smiths Interconnect, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance interconnect solutions. Our products are used in mission-critical applications across industries such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and industrial markets. At Smiths Interconnect, we are committed to innovation, quality, and providing cutting-edge solutions that connect the world’s most demanding systems. Smiths Interconnect is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient and productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defense, space & aerospace and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs c.16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries. jobDescription We are seeking an experienced and strategic Quality Manager to lead the Quality function for our Costa Rica operations. This role is responsible for driving quality excellence across the site, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and regulatory requirements, developing high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and customer focus. As a member of the Site Leadership Team, the Quality Manager will provide both strategic direction and operational oversight for all quality-related activities, including Quality Management Systems, customer quality, supplier quality, audit readiness, and the development of local Quality capabilities. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, sound judgment, and the ability to influence effectively within a matrix organization, balancing local business priorities with global quality expectations and standards. This role requires operating from principles, not just procedures—understanding why quality systems work, not just how to maintain them. Key Responsibilities Lead the Quality function for the Costa Rica site, ensuring alignment with business objectives and organizational quality standards. Provide strategic and operational leadership to Quality teams, including supervisors, engineers, auditors, inspectors, and other quality personnel, promoting accountability, engagement, and professional development. Serve as the primary point of contact for customers regarding quality-related matters, including escalations, investigations, corrective actions, and communication of quality performance.  Frame quality issues as shared problems requiring cross-functional solutions, not compliance mandates imposed on other functions. Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the Quality Management System to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory, customer, and corporate requirements.  Treat challenge as the mechanism for discovering better approaches—welcoming pushback on quality processes and using it to strengthen systems, not as resistance to overcome. Lead internal, external, and customer audits, ensuring effective preparation, execution, follow-up, and closure of findings. Drive structured problem-solving initiatives using root cause analysis methodologies and preventive actions to eliminate recurrence. Develop, monitor, and communicate quality metrics and performance indicators to identify trends, support decision-making, and drive improvement initiatives. Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, EHS, and other cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction. Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing quality performance, strengthening compliance, and reducing the cost of poor quality. Actively participate as a member of the Costa Rica Site Leadership Team, contributing to strategic decisions related to operational performance, organizational capability, and business growth. Exercise clear decision rights within the quality domain while seeking input from those with relevant knowledge before deciding—understanding when to act independently versus when to align cross-functionally. Operate effectively within a matrix structure, influencing stakeholders across multiple functions and organizational levels at both local and global levels. Coach and enhance the communication of Principle Based Management (PBM) framework and guiding principles within the Quality organization Develop talents in the organization to be contribution-motivated to maximize their contribution to the long-term success of Quality group. Fulfill Supervisor Responsibilities in PBM framework and actively coach supervisors in the team to act the same. Drive direct and indirect subordinates to hold themselves more accountable by lowering the decision rights Manage key transformation initiatives of quality organization Create the right environment by fostering inclusion, adopting the challenge process and honest communication qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or another STEM-related discipline. 10+ years of progressive experience in Quality roles within regulated manufacturing environments. At least 5 years of leadership experience managing Quality teams, including experience leading leaders with direct reports. Candidates must submit an English version of their resume for consideration, as the hiring manager and interview process will be conducted in English. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish. Demonstrated experience leading and maintaining Quality Management Systems within manufacturing environments. Proven experience leading internal, external, and customer audits, including the development and execution of corrective action plans. Experience managing supplier quality activities, including supplier qualification, audits, and performance improvement initiatives. Strong knowledge and practical application of quality methodologies and structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5 Why, CAPA, and root cause analysis. Experience developing, monitoring, and utilizing quality metrics and dashboards to drive performance and decision-making. Demonstrated success operating within matrix organizations and influencing stakeholders across multiple levels of the business. Strong leadership capabilities with a proven ability to build teams, develop talent, drive accountability, and lead organizational change. Strong analytical thinking, organizational skills, and sound decision-making abilities. Demonstrated ability to frame quality gaps as opportunities for mutual benefit rather than compliance enforcement, building collaborative relationships where functions want to engage with Quality, not just tolerate it. Preferred Qualifications Experience within electronics manufacturing, semiconductor, medical device, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries. Strong knowledge of AS9100 quality standards and experience managing internal audit programs. Experience leading customer complaint investigations and warranty-related quality activities. Professional certifications related to Quality Management or Continuous Improvement (e.g., ASQ, Six Sigma, CQE, CQA). Experience leading quality transformations, cultural change initiatives, or strengthening quality systems within growing organizations. Previous experience working with global customers and multicultural teams. Key Competencies Principled influence through framing problems as shared opportunities Developing decision rights and accountability in others Mutual benefit in customer and supplier relationships Economic thinking—measuring what drives action, not just compliance Experimental discovery and learning from failure Challenge as a tool for finding truth, not conflict Cross-functional collaboration. Change leadership and resilience. Integrity, accountability, and ownership. additionalInformation We believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company thrive. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values ​​based on equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity. At no time during the hiring process will Flex-Tek, Smiths Group, or any of our recruiting partners request any payment to enable participation—including, but not limited to, interviews or tests. Avoid fraudulent applications by applying directly through our careers website or official company emails. Creemos que las diferentes perspectivas y antecedentes son lo que hacen florecer a una empresa. Todos los solicitantes calificados recibirán la misma consideración para el empleo sin distinción de raza, color, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen nacional, estado económico, discapacidad, edad o cualquier otra característica protegida por ley. Estamos orgullosos de ser una empresa inclusiva con valores basados en la igualdad y la ética, donde celebramos, apoyamos y abrazamos la diversidad. En ningún momento durante el proceso de contratación, Flex-Tek, Smiths Group, ni ninguno de nuestros socios de reclutamiento solicitarán pago alguno para permitir la participación - incluyendo, pero no limitado a, entrevistas o pruebas. Evite solicitudes fraudulentas aplicando directamente a través de nuestro sitio web de carreras (Carreras - Smiths Group plc).