Quality & Continous Improvement

Universal Dynamics Inc • Fredericksburg, VA

147d

About The Position

The Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for identifying and implementing opportunities to enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality across organizational processes, departments, and functions. This role will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams at all levels to assess current workflows, pinpoint bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and develop strategic solutions aimed at driving operational excellence and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will lead initiatives that foster a culture of quality, innovation, and ongoing performance enhancement throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in quality management, continuous improvement, or operational excellence roles within a manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environment.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional improvement initiatives using structured methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen).
• Demonstrated success in implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) systems and managing quality assurance programs.
• Experience working with suppliers on quality and process improvements, especially in new product development (NPD) and production ramp-up phases.
• Effective trainer and coach with experience developing internal capabilities around quality and CI tools.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cultural change and promote a continuous improvement mindset across departments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive analysis of existing processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement, utilizing data-driven insights and key performance metrics.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement strategies using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other relevant tools, tailored to the organization’s specific needs.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage improvement initiatives to ensure timely, cost-effective, and successful execution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to facilitate the implementation and integration of process enhancements.
• Collect and analyze performance data to measure the impact of process changes. Apply statistical and analytical tools to validate improvements and support informed decision-making.
• Provide training, coaching, and support to employees and teams engaged in continuous improvement efforts. Promote best practices and foster a culture of operational excellence across the organization.
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels to drive awareness, alignment, and support for continuous improvement initiatives. Facilitate change management activities to ensure successful adoption and sustainability of improvements.
• Monitor the performance of implemented improvements, make necessary adjustments, and continuously seek new opportunities for optimization.
• Collaborate with other quality and continuous improvement professionals within the Piovan Group to share best practices and stay abreast of industry trends and emerging methodologies.
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise reports and presentations to senior leadership and stakeholders detailing progress, outcomes, and ROI of continuous improvement efforts.
• Design and optimize workflows that align with production schedules, ensuring processes remain within budget and on track to meet deadlines. Evaluate and improve equipment and resource productivity.
• Develop departmental strategies that align with customer expectations regarding the quality of products and services.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of a company-wide Total Quality Management (TQM) system in partnership with cross-functional leadership to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality products.
• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering teams to implement early-detection systems for defective parts and introduce preventative tools to mitigate quality issues at the source.
• Collect, analyze, and manage quality-related data to support continuous monitoring and improvement of product and process performance.
• Conduct root cause analyses and manage corrective actions with suppliers for quality issues, especially in low-yield processes and during ramp-up or startup phases. Partner with Supplier Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Materials teams to resolve supplier quality challenges.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Kaizen, Six Sigma) involving Design Engineering, Process Engineering, Customer Service, and Manufacturing teams. Apply statistical process control and other quality tools to drive improvements.
• Develop and maintain product quality documentation, including authoring and updating quality assurance procedures and protocols.
• Oversee operational readiness across all phases of New Product Development (NPD), ensuring smooth transition into mass production.
• Collaborate with suppliers and engineering teams to develop comprehensive manufacturing blueprints, including process flows, equipment and fixture designs, implementation timelines, and validation plans.
• Provide technical leadership to suppliers, establishing and validating process capabilities using statistical methods to meet design, test, and quality requirements.
• Develop and implement robust Quality Programs and Manufacturing Process Control Plans to ensure early issue detection and consistently high levels of product quality and reliability.
• Lead technical problem-solving initiatives related to manufacturing issues, including root cause analysis, corrective actions, and verification processes. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees