Rory Geiger
Ossian,USA
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Senior Quality Executive with over 30 years of progressive experience leading quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and supplier performance initiatives across automotive, industrial, and consumer goods sectors. Proven track record of transforming global quality organizations, achieving measurable performance improvements, and driving cultural change across complex supply chains. Adept at building high-performing international teams, implementing scalable QMS frameworks, and ensuring regulatory and customer compliance across global markets.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Director, Global Quality
Designer Brands, Inc.
10.2022 - Current
- Lead global quality, compliance, and regulatory strategy across all product categories and sourcing regions
- Oversee preventive quality planning, supplier qualification, and production risk mitigation across footwear, accessories, and apparel
- Direct the implementation of a comprehensive QMS, integrating systems across internal operations and international vendors
- Manage a high-performing team of 35+ quality professionals across 7 countries
- Lead cross-functional product quality reviews, CAPA escalations, and VOC-driven improvement projects
- Serve as executive liaison for product compliance across regulatory bodies (CPSC, Prop 65, REACH)
- Partner with supply chain and technical design to drive fit consistency, packaging improvements, and defect prevention
- Developed enterprise-wide KPIs and dashboards to monitor quality performance, warranty trends, and customer claims
Sr. Director, Global Quality
Vera Bradley Designs
06.2010 - 10.2022
- Designed and executed long-term global quality strategy aligned with brand growth and DTC channel expansion
- Built and managed a global team of 30+ quality & Customer Service personnel across Asia and the U.S.
- Oversaw quality planning, production inspections, and packaging compliance for multiple product categories
- Achieved a 77% reduction in supplier defect rates through proactive supplier engagement and continuous improvement
- Championed process standardization, internal auditing, and VOC integration into product development cycles
- Controlled and optimized departmental budgets, ensuring alignment with corporate financial goals
Supplier Quality Manager
Parker Hannifin Corp.
09.2000 - 06.2010
- Led all supplier quality initiatives for 100+ global and domestic suppliers
- Reduced divisional supplier DPPM by 80% in two years through process improvements and auditing rigor
- Developed and enforced supplier cost recovery system, achieving $300K savings in the first year
- Directed PPAP approvals, Run@Rate validations, and supplier performance scorecards
- Drove collaborative continuous improvement programs with vendors, achieving over $2M in cost savings
Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer
Autoliv ASP, Inc.
03.1999 - 08.2000
- Managed quality for the entire supply base for a leading Tier 1 automotive safety system supplier
- Oversaw supplier PPAP approvals, Run@Rate trials, and compliance audits for airbag and steering wheel components
- Implemented a supplier cost recovery program, resulting in over $500K recovered in the first year
- Mentored supplier quality engineers and collaborated with R&D and purchasing to resolve quality concerns
- Supported internal audits and ensured all suppliers met critical safety and regulatory standards
Supplier Quality Engineer (Contract Role)
General Motors
09.1998 - 03.1999
- Responsible for APQP compliance and QMS audits across high-volume Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
- Executed design verification and supplier validation activities pre-launch
- Managed the CAPA process, including root cause analysis and 8D reporting
- Supported incoming quality inspection and escalated quality issues impacting production readiness
Sr. Quality Engineer
Johnson Controls
06.1993 - 09.1998
- Led PIP and APQP activities across multiple automotive programs
- Managed quality performance for a network of 86 automotive suppliers
- Acted as customer liaison to General Motors, addressing all warranty and quality concerns
- Directed supplier performance reviews, coordinated engineering change validation
- Mentored and developed junior quality engineers and led cross-functional problem-solving teams
- Conducted internal audits and collaborated with manufacturing on defect prevention
Education
Bachelor of Science - Quality Management
Warren National University
01.2008
Skills
- 30 years of quality leadership experience across automotive, industrial, and consumer products
- Strategic thinker and decision-maker with strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Inspiring leader and mentor of 35 global quality professionals across 7 countries
- Extensive international experience managing manufacturing, suppliers and customers in Asia, Europe, South America, Central America, Canada, and Mexico
- Experienced in ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, CAPA, Lean Six Sigma, and supplier development
- Collaborative team player with a proven ability to drive cross-functional initiatives
- Successful track record in quality cost reduction, defect elimination, and compliance governance
- Proficient in ERP/QMS platforms and quality data analytics
- Experience with AI technologies and automation in quality and manufacturing processes
Certification
- Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor – 2006-02
- Six Sigma Black Belt Training – 2001-05
- Six Sigma Green Belt Certification – 2001-01
- QS9000 Lead Auditor Certification – 1996-05
- Kaizen Instructor Certification – 1995-08
- Missile & Munitions Training – U.S. Army – 1992-07
Timeline
Sr. Director, Global Quality
Designer Brands, Inc.
10.2022 - Current
Sr. Director, Global Quality
Vera Bradley Designs
06.2010 - 10.2022
Supplier Quality Manager
Parker Hannifin Corp.
09.2000 - 06.2010
Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer
Autoliv ASP, Inc.
03.1999 - 08.2000
Supplier Quality Engineer (Contract Role)
General Motors
09.1998 - 03.1999
Sr. Quality Engineer
Johnson Controls
06.1993 - 09.1998
Bachelor of Science - Quality Management
Warren National University
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