Continuous Improvement & Quality Assurance Manager

SPX Technologies • Michigan City, IN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement & Quality Assurance Manager leads quality assurance, manufacturing process control, and operational improvement initiatives at WM Technologies’ Michigan City facility. The role maintains effective quality management systems, supports compliance with applicable regulatory and product certification requirements, and improves manufacturing performance through problem-solving, defect prevention, and process optimization.

This position combines technical expertise, leadership, and hands-on support in a heavy industrial environment. It works closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Materials Management, and other functions in the foundry, machine shop, and shipping areas. The manager also partners with continuous improvement leaders across SPX sites to share best practices, reduce waste and costs, and improve process stability, product quality, and operational efficiency.

The role develops the Quality Assurance team, strengthens process documentation, and supports knowledge sharing to build long-term capability and reliability across the Michigan City operation. It is primarily onsite, with regular production-floor presence and minimal travel, generally less than 10%. The work environment includes conditions typical of foundry and heavy manufacturing operations, and the position may require flexibility to support operational needs outside normally scheduled hours.

Requirements

• At least five years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Continuous Improvement, or a comparable technical manufacturing role.
• Demonstrated experience leading quality assurance activities, manufacturing process improvements, or cross-functional technical initiatives.
• Previous supervisory or management experience developing employees, coordinating resources, and achieving departmental objectives.
• Experience developing, administering, or supporting manufacturing quality management systems, inspection processes, corrective-action programs, and quality documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate manufacturing defects, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Experience using Lean manufacturing, structured problem-solving, statistical analysis, and other methods to improve quality and manufacturing performance.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing process controls, quality standards, inspection methods, and production performance measures.
• Experience managing technical projects and coordinating activities across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and other functions.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills, including the ability to interpret manufacturing data, identify trends, and develop practical recommendations.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while balancing daily manufacturing support, compliance requirements, and longer-term improvement initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Quality Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical discipline; an equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant manufacturing quality and leadership experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a ferrous foundry, metal casting, machining, or heavy industrial manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of green sand foundry operations, including molding, coremaking, melting, pouring, casting finishing, and related processes.
• Familiarity with foundry process variables affecting casting quality, including sand properties, molding conditions, molten-metal characteristics, and process stability.
• Experience supporting ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requirements and applicable UL, CSA, or other product certification programs.
• Experience coordinating internal, customer, regulatory, or third-party quality audits.
• Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, statistical process control, measurement system analysis, error-proofing, and structured corrective-action methodologies.
• Experience managing nonconforming materials, corrective and preventive actions, supplier quality concerns, and customer quality issues.
• Experience leading Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, value stream mapping, and other structured improvement initiatives.
• Experience quantifying manufacturing cost reductions, scrap savings, productivity improvements, and other financial benefits associated with improvement projects.
• Knowledge of manufacturing financial metrics, including scrap cost, rework, material yield, productivity, and cost of poor quality.
• Experience supporting equipment and process validation, manufacturing trials, engineering changes, and new product introductions.
• Familiarity with ERP and quality management systems; JD Edwards experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop technical personnel, strengthen cross-training, and preserve institutional manufacturing knowledge.
• Experience working within a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or comparable structured problem-solving certification.
• ASQ certification such as Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence, or Certified Quality Auditor.
• Additional training or certification related to ASME, quality management systems, manufacturing processes, or foundry operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the plant quality assurance function and maintain the quality management system, including procedures, work instructions, inspection standards, and records.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and maintain readiness for applicable ASME, UL, CSA, and other certification requirements.
• Oversee inspection, testing, calibration, measurement systems, and manufacturing quality controls.
• Direct containment, investigation, and corrective action for nonconforming materials, product defects, customer concerns, and supplier quality issues.
• Provide technical quality leadership across foundry and manufacturing operations, including molding, coremaking, melting, pouring, casting finishing, and machining.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to identify process variation, casting defects, quality concerns, and conditions affecting product conformity.
• Develop and maintain process control documentation, including PFMEAs, control plans, process flow diagrams, inspection standards, and reaction plans.
• Apply statistical process control, measurement system analysis, and other analytical methods to evaluate process stability, identify emerging risks, and support manufacturing decisions.
• Support the development and verification of foundry process controls, including sand system monitoring, molding conditions, material characteristics, and other critical parameters.
• Coordinate manufacturing trials and quality review of process, equipment, and engineering changes to verify results and product conformity.
• Lead the facility’s structured improvement program in alignment with the SPX Business System, Annual Operating Plan, and manufacturing performance objectives.
• Prioritize and lead projects that reduce scrap, rework, waste, and operating costs while improving productivity and process stability.
• Apply Lean, root cause analysis, 5-Why, 8D, Kaizen, and other structured problem-solving methods with cross-functional teams.
• Establish project plans, measures, ownership, and financial benefits, and sustain improvements through process controls, training, and standard work.
• Support evaluation and justification of manufacturing equipment, tooling, process changes, and capital investments.
• Ensure approved improvements are incorporated into sustainable operating practices, process controls, training, and standardized work.
• Monitor and communicate quality and improvement metrics, including scrap, rework, first-pass yield, process capability, audit performance, and cost of poor quality.
• Provide reports, analysis, and recommendations to plant leadership, and track projects, risks, and corrective actions.
• Provide technical support on quality standards, process controls, inspection, and manufacturing issues; support product introductions and process validation.
• Use ERP, quality, and statistical systems to document results and guide decisions.
• Lead, coach, and develop Quality Assurance personnel, establishing expectations for technical competency, performance, accountability, and professional development.
• Maintain appropriate staffing, workload distribution, training, and cross-functional support for quality assurance and improvement responsibilities.
• Develop succession plans, cross-training opportunities, and technical knowledge-transfer practices to preserve critical expertise.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruiting, employee development, performance management, and other workforce responsibilities.
• Strengthen organizational capability through employee training, process education, technical coaching, and communication of quality requirements.
• Promote productive working relationships among production employees, supervisors, union representatives, Engineering, Maintenance, Materials Management, and other departments.
• Establish clear ownership and accountability for quality systems, corrective actions, improvement projects, and technical documentation.
• Support organizational change by communicating expectations, involving stakeholders, and ensuring approved improvements are implemented and sustained.
• Serve as a technical and operational partner to the Operations Director and plant leadership team, recommending action on quality risks, manufacturing performance, improvement opportunities, and resource requirements.

Benefits

• Generous and flexible paid time off, including paid personal time off, caregiver, parental, and volunteer leave.
• Competitive health insurance plans and 401(k) match, with benefits starting day one.
• Competitive and performance-based compensation packages and bonus plans.
• Educational assistance, leadership development programs, and recognition programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager