Inspection Operations Associate (Lake Forest)

About the Role

As an Inspection Operations Associate at Applied Medical, you will lead the In-Process Inspection team, ensuring product quality, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. This role involves overseeing daily inspection activities, driving performance through KPI development and analysis, and collaborating with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality teams to enhance processes and resolve non-conformances.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Inspection Operations:
  • Lead, develop, and support In-Process Inspection personnel, fostering a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Coordinate daily inspection activities, staffing, and workload distribution to meet production and quality goals.
  • Ensure dimensional, visual, and documentation inspections are accurate and compliant with quality standards.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• KPI Ownership & Continuous Improvement:
  • Establish, monitor, and improve inspection-related KPIs, including quality, throughput, and defect trends.
  • Analyze inspection data to identify process improvement opportunities and increase efficiency.
  • Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to enhance operational performance.
  • Communicate performance metrics, trends, and improvement opportunities to leadership.
• Operational Excellence:
  • Utilize SAP and other systems to manage inspection data, reporting, and labor utilization.
  • Develop and maintain procedures, work instructions, training materials, and standard work documentation.
  • Support cross-functional initiatives to improve quality, productivity, and overall operational effectiveness.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Inspection KPIs are clearly defined, monitored, and consistently improved.
• Non-conformances are identified early, minimizing quality escapes.
• The inspection team is highly trained, engaged, and capable of meeting business needs.
• Inspection resources are aligned with production requirements while maintaining quality standards.
• Data-driven improvements result in measurable gains in quality, throughput, and efficiency.
• Leadership views the inspection function as a proactive contributor to operational excellence.

Requirements

• Experience leading meetings, managing projects, and delivering formal presentations.
• Resourcefulness in vendor sourcing and market research to implement cost-effective, data-driven solutions.
• Ability to delegate tasks and align team efforts with company goals.
• Experience leading teams and managing processes in a fast-paced manufacturing environment; strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent, with the ability to read, comprehend, and communicate work and safety instructions effectively.
• Proven ability to develop, refine, and maintain process improvements, with experience in root-cause analysis using industry-standard methods.
• Mechanical aptitude with familiarity of basic machinery, pumps, hydraulics, or other mechanically driven technology.
• Experience creating or updating procedural documentation (e.g., Training Records, MIs, SOPs, GAs).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience using SAP or similar material management software.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4-year degree in Business Administration, Operations, or Supply Chain Management.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Prior experience with SAP or other ERP data management systems.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing and production or process-driven environments.
• Experience leading in a manufacturing environment.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation range: $22 - $26 / hour (California).
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Training and mentorship opportunities.
• On-campus wellness activities.
• Education reimbursement program.
• 401(k) program with discretionary employer match.
• Generous vacation accrual and paid holiday schedule.

Please note that the compensation range may be adjusted in the future, and bonus and incentive compensation plans may apply. Our total reward package reflects our commitment to employee growth and well-being.