Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement Manager

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality assurance policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
• Establish metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and benchmarks to monitor and evaluate quality performance across all operations.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to assess adherence to quality standards and identify, implement, and maintain strategies for improvement.
• Lead investigations into quality issues, non-conformities, customer complaints, vendor issues, and implement corrective and preventive actions as necessary.
• Support quality initiatives to ensure product meets or exceeds customer expectations. Ensure associates complete required quality checks and are meeting quality reject metric performance.
• Drive and teach problem-solving methodology in all functional areas of the plant.
• Jointly champion strategy development, execution, and sustainment of 5S implementation with the production manager.
• Achieve plant CI Impact Score and develop annual strategies for improvement.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and cost savings through data analysis and performance assessments.
• Facilitate and train cross-functional teams to analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement process improvements using methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, DMAIC, and other associate involvement.
• Develop and deliver training programs to enhance employees' understanding of quality principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lead and promote plant communications on lean accomplishments, key metric performance, and celebrate successes or individual/team victories.
• Lead the Leadership Team in tier 3 KPI dashboard performance and facilitate documented action plans for any shortfalls.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including production, engineering, supply chain, and customer service teams, to drive quality improvement initiatives and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Oversee that Associate Feedback Database recommendations are addressed in a timely manner with results communicated.
• Communicate quality performance metrics, improvement initiatives, and recommendations to senior management and other relevant stakeholders through reports, presentations, and meetings.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive environment where employees are empowered to contribute ideas, share feedback, and actively participate in quality and improvement initiatives.
• Develop subordinates through timely annual reviews, on-the-job real-time feedback, education, and training.
• Assist in preparation of annual plant operating budget and strategic plan including capital needs in a 5-year planning format.

Knowledge and Skills

• Proven experience in quality assurance, quality management systems, and continuous improvement methodologies within a manufacturing, service, or similar environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data to drive decision-making and process improvements.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, motivate, and collaborate with cross-functional teams at all levels of the organization.
• A Servant Leadership heart with excellent listening skills is a must for this position.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey complex concepts and information in a clear and concise manner.

Preferred Competencies

• Safety regulation knowledge
• Leveraging lean manufacturing knowledge
• Courage to make difficult decisions
• Challenging and collaborating cross-functionally
• Leadership experience
• Machine shop knowledge
• Above average mechanical aptitude
• Effective communication & presentation skills
• Action-oriented
• Customer-focused

Education

• High school diploma
• Preferred: Four year degree in Engineering or Business
• Experience: 5 years experience in Manufacturing based CI, Quality, or Machining

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate, and care for the health of yourself and family
• Variety of company-paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement