QA/QC Specialist-Lead

Plastomatic Valves, Inc.•Cedar Grove, NJ

1d•$90,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The QA/QC Specialist-Lead is a hands-on quality leadership role responsible for daily quality activities across manufacturing and assembly, as well as maintaining and continually improving the company’s Quality Management System, including applicable ISO 9001 requirements. The position requires an active presence on the manufacturing floor and direct work with production employees, technicians, engineers, suppliers, and other functions to inspect and test products, investigate defects, identify root causes, and implement practical solutions. The role ensures products meet customer requirements, internal specifications, and applicable quality-system and regulatory requirements. It combines active participation in daily quality operations with longer-term quality-system development and continuous improvement; it is not described as a purely administrative or supervisory position. The position leads inspection and testing activities, nonconformance containment and resolution, audits and corrective actions, RMA and customer quality support, supplier quality activities, product and material compliance, and employee coaching on quality practices. It also collaborates with Engineering on product development, engineering changes, validation, test methods, and documentation, and provides management with updates on quality performance and significant issues. The role reports to the Director of Engineering. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred, though equivalent relevant experience may be considered. The role requires the ability to lift 50 lbs. or more.

Requirements

Several years of progressive QA/QC experience in a manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated ability to work directly on a manufacturing floor, perform or support inspections and testing, and resolve production quality problems.
Experience maintaining or improving a documented Quality Management System; ISO 9001 alignment is preferred.
Working knowledge of inspection methods, measurement equipment, calibration systems, test documentation, and nonconformance management.
Experience with root-cause analysis and corrective-action tools, including 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, and corrective/preventive action systems.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and product or process documentation.
Strong analytical and statistical critical-thinking skills, including the ability to interpret trends and develop meaningful quality metrics.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality documentation or data-management systems.
Excellent communication, organization, judgment, and collaboration skills.
Ability to prioritize urgent manufacturing-floor issues while advancing longer-term quality improvements.
Ability to lift 50 lbs. or more.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in quality management, engineering, manufacturing, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Experience with engineered products, valves, plastics, or industrial components.
ERP or document-control system experience.
Experience supporting customer audits, third-party certification audits, and supplier quality programs.
Familiarity with plastics manufacturing, machining, assembly processes, pressure or flow testing, and product performance verification.
Training or certification in quality auditing, statistical process control, Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous-improvement methods.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate daily Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities across manufacturing and assembly operations.
Maintain a regular, active presence on the manufacturing and assembly floor and work directly with production employees, technicians, and engineers on quality issues.
Perform and oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspections of purchased components, materials, assemblies, and finished products.
Perform product testing and use inspection and measurement equipment to verify product conformity.
Identify, document, and coordinate containment of nonconforming materials and products; escalate significant concerns and recommend quality holds or production actions when needed.
Ensure inspections follow applicable drawings, specifications, procedures, and customer requirements.
Lead implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System, including applicable ISO 9001 requirements and controlled documentation.
Develop and maintain inspection plans, acceptance criteria, test methods, and sampling approaches.
Coordinate internal audits and support external, customer, registrar, and regulatory audits, including SGS and CSA certification audits and follow-up actions.
Maintain quality documentation, including inspection records, test reports, nonconformance reports, corrective actions, and calibration records.
Investigate nonconformances, scrap, rework, and recurring manufacturing-process issues; apply root-cause analysis methods such as 5 Whys and fishbone analysis.
Coordinate corrective and preventive actions and verify their effectiveness.
Work with Manufacturing and Assembly to improve process capability, reduce scrap and rework, and prevent defects at their source.
Monitor quality trends and performance metrics and translate data into practical, measurable improvements.
Manage technical and inspection aspects of the Return Material Authorization (RMA) process; investigate returned products, failure modes, and root causes.
Collaborate with Technical Sales on RMA resolutions and document unique cases, findings, and resolutions in the company Knowledge Base.
Respond to quality-related customer and internal inquiries and support customer audits and corrective-action requests.
Partner with Engineering on product development, engineering changes, validation activities, test methods, and documentation updates.
Review drawings, specifications, and product requirements to support inspection and testing; collaborate with Manufacturing and Assembly on practical process controls.
Collaborate with suppliers and Purchasing to investigate and resolve supplier quality issues, review supplier corrective actions, and support supplier qualification, performance monitoring, and improvement.
Maintain and monitor applicable REACH, RoHS, TSCA, and PFAS product and material compliance status; coordinate supplier declarations and other supporting documentation and maintain compliance records.
Train and coach employees on inspection techniques, quality procedures, documentation, and defect prevention; promote quality awareness and accountability.
Provide guidance to quality personnel and other employees involved in inspection and testing, establish and communicate quality objectives, and monitor performance against targets.
Provide management with updates on significant quality issues, recurring problems, audit results, customer complaints, and improvement initiatives.
Follow established safety practices, company policies, and procedures, and perform other assigned duties.