Vice President, Quality

Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX) is an industry leader with 125+ years of success - success that is powered by our people. We are proud of our high-performance culture, hard-working and enthusiastic management team, and beautiful office space in the Willis Tower.

At GATX, we hire the best and offer our employees a dynamic, energetic, collaborative environment to enable them to make an impact from day one. Enjoy the perks and benefits of a global company with the close-knit culture and community of a much smaller one. In the same way we strive to empower our customers to propel the world forward, we are dedicated to providing our people with the tools and resources they need to advance in their careers.

The Vice President of Quality provides overall direction to the development, implementation, and execution of Quality Assurance policies, processes, procedures, and programs designed to meet or exceed regulatory and customer requirements for GATX North America. Drives quality culture with a loud voice such that every employee understands and embraces their role in achieving world-class quality. Works in cooperation with executive management on strategy, managing risk, and achieving compliance with regulatory requirements (AAR, DOT, and Transport Canada).

Direct and manage the corporate quality function for Rail North America

• Drive quality culture and strategy
• Conduct quality management meetings at all levels of the organization, including executive management
• Manage staff development and department budget

Direct quality assurance activities for the owned maintenance facilities

• Utilize a lean/continuous improvement management framework through data driven metrics and daily visual management
• Identify variance from requirements through procedures and metrics and resolve using root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Direct and support the quality site managers in execution of hold point inspections, training programs (qualification nondestructive testing, welding, and protective coatings) and calibration.
• Oversee and assist with routine audits of critical processes with goal of achieving consistent readiness for external regulatory compliance and certification audits

Implement the Quality Management System (QMS)

• Develop and administer the quality management system and associated infrastructure for the North American rail organization consistent with DOT, Transport Canada, and AAR M-1003 requirements
• Provide and manage a cross functional forum to review and address opportunity improvement reports (OIR’s) involving customer complaints and process failures
• Work with department heads and functional leaders to identify and control critical quality processes
• Conduct compliance audits of all critical processes, partnering with Internal Audit as needed
• Deploy quality engineering to facilitate root cause analysis and implement sustainable solutions
• Manage external audits conducted by the Association of American Railroads, Department of Transportation and Transport Canada

Develop and maintain quality training program

• Administer and continuously improve a training program that provides function specific training to employees at all levels of the organization for critical quality processes
• Liaison with Human Resources department to identify and implement training strategies, considering human factors and use of technology

Administer and oversee a supplier quality function

• Support selection, auditing, and non-conformance resolution of a contract railcar repair network
• Work with component suppliers to identify, contain, and correct defects and non-conformances with purchased products
• Partner with New Car Inspection team to ensure newly purchased railcars comply with GATX and customer requirements

• BS in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering or technical discipline
• 15+ years of progressive quality management experience in manufacturing operations with 5-7 years of executive leadership.
• Strong functional background in quality management systems and techniques (ISO-9000 or equivalent, root cause analysis, and problem solving)

Highly Desirable:

• ASQ Certified Quality Manager or Engineering (CQM, CQE)
• Background of maintenance or heavy manufacturing with knowledge of welding
• Must possess a strong functional background in modern quality techniques (TQM. ISO 9000 etc.)
• Experience in highly sensitive quality industry (e.g. automotive, aerospace, etc.)