Quality and Continuous Improvement Coordinator - Louisville, KY

About the role

District Photo Inc. is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Quality and Continuous Improvement Coordinator for our dynamic production facility in Beltsville. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of quality in our production processes and will support the development and implementation of training programs to enhance the skills of our production team.

Responsibilities

• Quality Assurance
  • Implement and maintain quality control processes throughout the print production workflow.
  • Conduct regular inspections and audits to identify and address any deviations from quality standards and standard operating procedures.
  • Monitor and correct behaviors that are contrary to SOP.
  • Implement and support non-conformance material containment process.
  • Collaborate with production teams to continuously improve quality metrics and reduce defects.
  • Investigate and resolve quality issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize production processes.
  • Utilize Lean Six Sigma methodologies and other continuous improvement tools to lead and facilitate process improvement-based workshops to drive ideas, solutions, and change.
  • Analyze data and performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities and track progress over time.
• Training and Development
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs through assessments and feedback.
  • Establish priorities based on trends resulting from inspections, audits, and customer feedback.
  • Partner with training facilitators to assess training needs and develop training materials, including manuals, visual aids, and e-learning modules.
  • Conduct regular training sessions, workshops, and refresher courses to ensure ongoing skill development.
• Documentation and Reporting
  • Maintain accurate records of quality control activities, audits and inspections, training sessions, and performance metrics.
  • Generate regular reports on quality performance, training completion, and any corrective actions taken.
  • Analyze data to identify trends and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Communication and Collaboration
  • Work closely with production, engineering, and management teams to align quality and improvement efforts with overall business objectives.
  • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to implement best practices and standardized processes.
  • Communicate effectively with team members to provide feedback, guidance, and support.
  • Foster a culture of quality consciousness and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.
• Proven experience in quality assurance and training in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to identify problems, patterns, and make the required corrections as well as reporting information as required.
• Experience with nonconformance documenting, root cause, and corrective action analysis.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in the use of quality management tools and software.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of printing technologies, Print on Demand industry, or related manufacturing sectors.
• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt.

Working Conditions

• Significant walking, bending, standing.
• Physical activities including but not limited to reaching, pulling, pushing, gripping, grabbing, and must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Benefits

• 401K
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Sick and safe leave
• Life insurance
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short/long term disability benefits

About District Photo

Founded in 1949 by Melvin Cohen as a small black & white photo lab, the business grew during the last half of the 20th century into a large wholesale photofinishing lab serving mid-Atlantic retailers and a national mail order film business. In the late 1990s under Neil Cohen’s leadership, DPI acquired a photo business in the UK and has transitioned from a mid-Atlantic film developing lab to multiple state-of-the-art digital labs shipping millions of photos worldwide every day. Today, District is one of the largest variable data printing companies in the world, with facilities comprising over a million square feet of manufacturing space and a global reach that sets them apart in the digital printing market. With 7 production fulfillment facilities located in the United States (MD, PA, KY, AZ), England, the Czech Republic, and Australia, District Photo is the leader in creating photo-based products, delivering millions of prints, greeting cards, books, calendars, blankets, mugs, and other gift items yearly.