Quality Technician (Operational Excellence)

About the Role

Morton Industries, LLC is adding a Quality Technician – Operational Excellence to support Destination 2030 alongside the Quality Engineer – Operational Excellence role. This is a net-new position dedicated to Operational Excellence activities across the full arc of the strategy, rather than a single facility or objective. The Quality Technician executes standardized defect data collection, facilitates and documents monthly Quality Circle sessions, and validates error-proofing solutions on the floor — the hands-on, on-the-ground counterpart to the Quality Engineer's design and root-cause work. Together, the two roles turn Destination 2030's Reduced Defects objective into daily shop-floor practice, while also feeding data discipline that benefits On-Time Delivery and building capability under Employee Development.

Responsibilities

• Execute standardized defect data entry and conduct routine data audits across assigned production lines to keep Epicor Quality module records accurate and complete
• Facilitate and document monthly Quality Circle working sessions, capturing root-cause findings, countermeasures, and action items
• Support in-process checks and validate that error-proofing (poka-yoke) devices are functioning as designed on the shop floor
• Feed defect and Quality Circle outcomes into the facility's Quality Dashboard and the quarterly company-wide scorecard
• Assist the Quality Engineer in piloting and validating new error-proofing solutions before facility-wide rollout
• Maintain visual management boards and shift-floor communication of quality metrics
• Assist in training operators on standardized work instructions and new inspection procedures
• Travel periodically across MNO, MSO, MTN, MTX, MEP, and MDAL to support Quality Circle facilitation and defect-data standardization (estimated 15–25%)

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's degree in Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field preferred
• ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) or Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt a plus
• 2–4 years of experience in a quality, manufacturing, or production environment, preferably within welding, machining, or metal fabrication
• Hands-on experience with inspection equipment and basic root-cause tools (5-Why, fishbone diagrams)
• Experience with ERP-based quality or non-conformance data entry; Epicor experience a plus
• Prior experience supporting or participating in Quality Circles, Kaizen events, or similar continuous-improvement activities a plus

Skills

• Technical Skills:
  • Basic blueprint/print reading and familiarity with GD&T fundamentals
  • Comfortable with data entry and basic reporting in Epicor and Microsoft Office suite of tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Working understanding of common defect types in machining, welding, and fabrication processes
  • Familiarity with visual management and 5S practices
• Soft Skills:
  • Comfortable facilitating group discussions among operators, technicians, and supervisors
  • Clear, organized note-taking and documentation habits
  • Detail-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership over data accuracy and completeness
  • Team-oriented, approachable, and effective at building trust on the shop floor
  • Self-directed and reliable working across multiple lines or facilities with minimal supervision

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily based at an assigned Central Illinois facility, with continuous, sustained presence on the production floor (safety glasses, hearing protection, and other PPE required per site policy)
• Periodic travel (estimated 15–25%) to other Morton Industries facilities (MNO, MSO, MTN, MTX, MEP, MDAL)
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move through production areas for extended periods; occasional lifting up to 35 lbs