Quality Control Area Manager

Vulcan Materials Company•La Grange, IL

56d•$108,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Area Manager, Technical Services (Aggregates) oversees technical support and services within a designated area of an aggregates company. The role supports efficient operation of technical systems, resolves complex issues, and leads continuous improvement efforts to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. It combines knowledge of aggregates production and processing with leadership and cross-functional collaboration. The manager assists plant management in implementing business plans and strategic quality control and assurance initiatives, and develops solutions to business plan and product issues using sound judgment and analytical skills. The position maintains compliance of quality control laboratories and calibration of test equipment as required by governing agencies. It conducts independent sampling, testing, and audits at plants and sales yards, reports findings to plant and division management, and supports crusher and screen belt-sampling programs. The role also contributes to plant optimization, interprets testing data, supports sales and marketing with product knowledge, investigates customer complaints, and trains and develops Process Technicians and Operations Managers. It performs Process Technician duties as needed and helps develop standardized quality-control procedures. This is a salaried position with an annual salary range of $108,000–$120,000, including the regional supplement. The position is eligible for a vehicle reimbursement program and a discretionary bonus or equity package. Travel within the area of responsibility and occasional airline travel are required.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience in aggregates operations or related heavy industry, including leadership or supervisory experience.
Strong understanding of aggregate production methods, equipment, quality-control procedures, industry standards, and best practices.
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate teams, manage projects, and make data-driven decisions.
High ethical and moral standards, with the ability to demonstrate creativity, integrity, stewardship, and loyalty with peers.
Strong product knowledge, including product applications and end uses.
Ability to anticipate, plan, and coordinate events and develop contingency plans for hypothetical scenarios.
Thorough understanding of ledge qualities, blending scenarios, and plant setups, including how mine plans and plant changes may affect quality and State agency requirements.
Understanding of VMC quality information systems.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; self-directed, motivated, and highly organized.
Ability to work in a deadline-oriented environment involving complex technical information and decision-making, and present complex information clearly and concisely.
Current valid driver’s license.
Ability to sit for long periods and occasionally climb heights.
Ability to travel within the area of responsibility and periodically by airline.
Use of telephone, computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices is essential.
Requires thorough knowledge of company products, end-use products, design and evaluation methods, personnel and resource management, and budgeting.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) registration preferred.
Bachelor of Science degree in a related technical field, with expertise in construction materials characterization and applications, preferred.
Experience in construction materials design, production, and construction—such as aggregate, hot mix asphalt, ready mix concrete, cement, DOT labs, or the mining industry—highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain compliance of quality control laboratories and calibrate test equipment as required by governing agencies.
Conduct independent compliance sampling, testing, and audits of QC labs and procedures at plants and sales yards; report findings to plant management and key division management.
Assist Business Units with crusher and screen belt-sampling programs, including auditing compliance.
Participate in plant optimization efforts.
Help plant management interpret testing data to improve plant optimization and efficiency, and understand plant flows and production processes for assigned Business Units.
Support sales and marketing efforts through strong product knowledge and understanding of product applications.
Investigate, resolve, and document customer complaints.
Assist with hiring, training, and development of new and existing Process Technicians.
Perform Process Technician duties and provide coverage as needed.
Assist in developing improved quality-control testing procedures and standardization.
Train Process Technicians and Operations Managers on the product quality database.
Communicate professionally with customers and state DOTs, verbally and in writing.
Assist plant management with business plans and strategic quality control and assurance initiatives.
Develop workable solutions to business-plan and product issues using judgment and analytical skills.