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Job Description
Job Title:
Director of Quality Location:
Livermore, CA (this is an onsite, in person position) Reports to:
President, CEO Salary:
$100k - $130k
About Us:
With nearly 50 years in the business, Custom Label is a trusted leader in pressure-sensitive labels and custom printed packaging serving the food & beverage, wine & spirits, and consumer goods industries. Based in Livermore, CA, we are known for fast turnaround, technical precision, and high-touch customer service in a demanding B2B environment where quality and brand standards are non-negotiable. Our customers rely on us to deliver compliant and visually flawless labels, and our quality team is central to that promise. About the
Role:
This is not a "sit behind a desk" quality leadership role. This is a highly visible, hands-on position at the center of our operation . We are looking for a calm-in-the-chaos leader , someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, brings structure where there is ambiguity, and builds systems that make quality consistent, scalable, and clear. While prior experience as a Director of Quality is welcome, it is not required. We are equally interested in strong manufacturing and production leaders who have demonstrated success leading teams, driving process improvement, and partnering cross-functionally to solve problems. Experience with ISO environments and quality management systems is highly desirable, and we are willing to invest in a sharp , motivated leader who is eager to deepen their expertise in quality leadership. This role is intentionally balanced across three key areas: 50%
Floor Leadership:
Leading, coaching, and developing our QC team while staying deeply connected to daily production and inspection activity 25%
Customer Quality & Complaints:
Owning the full lifecycle of customer complaints—from documentation to investigation to resolution and continuous improvement 25%
Strategic Quality Leadership:
Serving on the Leadership Team and driving company-wide quality systems, ISO compliance, and documentation rigor You'll play a critical role in transforming and strengthening our quality function, bringing clarity, discipline, and consistency to how we work.
What You'll Do:
Lead on the Floor (50%) Be a visible, hands-on leader within production, partnering closely with operations on a daily basis Manage and develop a team of QC technicians, including direct leadership of three specialists and coaching across the broader team Ensure accurate, consistent, and timely quality inspections Train, mentor, and elevate team performance through clear expectations and accountability Identify gaps in execution and implement practical, scalable solutions Own Customer Complaints & Quality Feedback Loop (25%) Lead the end-to-end customer complaint process : intake, documentation, investigation, root cause analysis, corrective action, and closure Ensure a closed-loop system that drives accountability and continuous improvement Partner cross-functionally to resolve issues quickly while strengthening long-term processes Track, analyze, and report on trends to proactively reduce recurring issues Drive Quality Systems & Leadership (25%) Serve as a key member of the Leadership Team , representing quality across the organization Own and evolve the Quality Management System, including SOPs, documentation, and process standardization Lead all ISO (9001:2015) efforts, audits, and ongoing compliance Oversee third-party certifications and internal audit readiness Bring structure and clarity to systems, creating order, consistency, and scalability across the business
What We're Looking For:
7+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing, production, quality, or operations management within a made-to-order, custom manufacturing, or job-shop environment (Director level will be 10+ years) Experience leading teams in a fast-paced production setting with a strong track record of accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement Prior quality control leadership experience is preferred but not required; we welcome candidates with production or operations leadership backgrounds who have a passion for process improvement and an interest in growing their quality expertise Experience in B2B label, packaging, or print manufacturing (pressure-sensitive labels strongly preferred) Understanding of flexographic and/or digital printing processes, materials, and finishing is preferred Expertise in ISO/QMS systems and audit processes Demonstrated success in handling customer complaints in a client-facing manufacturing setting A leader who thrives in dynamic environments and brings structure, process, and calm to complexity Equally comfortable on the production floor, troubleshooting issues, and in leadership discussions driving strategy Skill level in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel) must be Intermediate to Advanced. The ability to quickly learn and master business software is critical. Team player with a positive attitude, comfortable working across organizational boundaries Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check
Why This Role:
This is an opportunity to own and elevate quality in a highly specialized, customer-driven manufacturing environment. You'll shape how quality shows up from press checks to client satisfaction while building systems that support growth in food & beverage, wine & spirits, and premium consumer packaging. If you understand the difference between "good enough" and "press-perfect", and you take pride in building teams and systems that deliver it every time, this role is for you. Why Join? Competitive compensation Health, dental, and vision insurance Employer-matched 401(k) A collaborative culture that values excellence and fun
Pay:
$100,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance
Experience:
leadership in manufacturing, production, or quality: 7 years (Required) made-to-order or custom manufacturing: 7 years (Required) direct team leadership: 5 years (Required) process improvement: 7 years (Required) flexographic, digital printing, materials, and finishing: 1 year (Required) handling customer complaints: 7 years (Required)
