Quality Control Manager

Santa Fe Water Systems is a leading supplier of water infrastructure equipment, piping systems, prefabricated assemblies, and storm water solutions. Our world-class engineers, designers, and fabricators are renowned for their elevated level of services, competitive pricing, and reliable turnaround. We support all phases of the water infrastructure lifecycle from planning through design, build, installation, and maintenance.

About the role

The Quality Control Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the company's Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Certification Program, ISO 9001 Quality Management System standards, applicable industry codes, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements. This position provides leadership for all quality assurance and quality control activities throughout the fabrication process, ensuring products consistently meet or exceed quality expectations while supporting a culture of continuous improvement. Additionally, this role oversees the company's Safety Program and compliance with City Ordinances and Regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the company's Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with AISC Certification requirements and ISO 9001 standards.
• Ensure quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and forms remain current and compliant.
• Monitor quality objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of the QMS.
• Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Maintain compliance with all AISC Certification Program requirements and ISO 9001 standards.
• Serve as the primary company representative during AISC and ISO audits.
• Coordinate and facilitate customer, third-party, and regulatory quality audits.
• Stay current on applicable industry standards, codes, and regulations.
• Develop and oversee inspection and testing plans throughout fabrication and production.
• Ensure inspections are performed according to customer specifications, project requirements, and applicable codes.
• Review inspection reports and verify that products meet quality standards prior to shipment.
• Monitor calibration and maintenance of inspection and measuring equipment.
• Oversee receiving, in-process, final, and field quality inspections as applicable.
• Ensure compliance with AWS welding codes, AISC standards, and project specifications.
• Coordinate with Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs) and production personnel to verify welding quality.
• Maintain welding procedure specifications (WPS), procedure qualification records (PQRs), and welder qualification records.
• Verify that fabrication processes meet customer and engineering requirements.
• Maintain quality records required by AISC, ISO 9001, and customer contracts.
• Ensure proper document control and revision management.
• Manage the nonconforming material process and investigate quality issues using root cause analysis techniques.
• Develop, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Monitor trends and recommend process improvements to reduce recurring issues.
• Work closely with Engineering, Production, Purchasing, Project Management, and Operations to resolve quality concerns.
• Participate in project planning meetings to identify quality risks.
• Support supplier quality initiatives and vendor evaluations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain company-wide safety programs, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, Cal/OSHA, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Conduct routine shop, facility, and field safety inspections and correct deficiencies.
• Manage employee safety training, certifications, toolbox talks, and required documentation.
• Investigate incidents, near misses, and injuries; identify root causes and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Maintain required safety records, logs, SDS documentation, and regulatory reporting.
• Perform Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs/JSA) and support safe work planning for fabrication, assembly, and field activities.
• Respond to customer quality concerns and coordinate corrective actions.
• Review customer specifications to ensure compliance.
• Assist with customer quality meetings and project quality documentation.
• Analyze quality metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Recommend improvements to manufacturing processes that improve quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Administer the company's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) program.
• Plan, organize, and conduct internal quality and safety audits; coordinate external audits and inspections.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for AISC auditors, ISO registrars, OSHA representatives, customer auditors, and third-party inspectors.
• Oversee receiving, in-process, and final inspections to ensure products conform to engineering drawings, customer specifications, and applicable codes.
• Ensure proper calibration and maintenance of inspection, testing, and measuring equipment.
• Manage nonconforming products and materials by conducting investigations, performing root cause analyses, implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and verifying effectiveness.
• Monitor quality and safety performance metrics and prepare reports for management.
• Develop and deliver quality and safety training programs.
• Lead workplace safety initiatives by conducting facility inspections, hazard assessments, job safety analyses (JSAs), and risk evaluations.
• Maintain OSHA logs, safety records, training documentation, SDS files, environmental compliance records, and other required regulatory documentation.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness activities, including emergency action plans, evacuation procedures, fire prevention, and safety drills.
• Partner with department managers to ensure safe work practices are integrated into daily operations and quality objectives.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements to verify compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Purchasing, Project Management, and Operations to resolve quality and safety concerns and improve manufacturing processes.
• Promote a culture of quality, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, Construction Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field required; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of progressively responsible experience in quality control or quality assurance within structural steel fabrication, manufacturing, or heavy industrial environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and quality management software.
• Ability to analyze quality metrics and prepare management reports.
• Strong document control and records management skills.

Qualifications

• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor certification.
• AISC Quality Management training or related certification.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt.
• Experience with coatings and linings for steel pipe and electro-polish for stainless steel.
• Experience with complex structural steel fabrication, miscellaneous metals, or bridge fabrication.
• Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods and coordination.
• Familiarity with ASME, ASTM, ICC, and other applicable industry standards.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience using statistical analysis and quality performance dashboards.
• Previous responsibility for maintaining both AISC Certification and ISO 9001 registration.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Frequently sit, stand, and walk throughout office and manufacturing environments.
• Regularly use hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, inspection equipment, and other office tools.
• Frequently communicate verbally and in writing with employees, customers, vendors, auditors, and inspectors.
• Occasionally climb stairs, ladders, platforms, and fabrication structures to perform inspections.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach while inspecting fabricated products and equipment.
• Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds; heavier lifting may require assistance or mechanical lifting devices.
• Must possess visual acuity sufficient to inspect welds, fabrication quality, measurements, and documentation, including the ability to distinguish colors and identify defects.
• Ability to hear alarms, equipment operation, and verbal communication in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to wear and properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed footwear, gloves, and fall protection when required.

Work is performed in both a professional office setting and an active structural steel fabrication facility. Regular exposure to manufacturing conditions, including moving machinery and overhead cranes.