Norican is home to six leading, globally operating brands: DISA, Italpresse Gauss, StrikoWestofen, Simpson Technologies, Monitizer, and Wheelabrator. As one strong global partner, we are able to serve you better, faster and more efficiently, giving you access to all we have to offer and working in partnership to keep you performing with the latest knowledge and knowhow. From melting, dosing, and molding through to surface preparation, we provide the solutions to solve your challenges. In addition to equipment, the digital solutions we have unlock the data in your foundry, to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. A global network of engineering expertise, manufacturing capacity and service support ensures we are where our customers need us to be, at every stage of their process and for every challenge they may face.Norican Group North America operation is head-quartered in La Grange, GA. The Norican Group employs over 2,000 people on 4 continents.Position PurposeThe Quality Manager will be responsible for overseeing all quality-related activities at the Wheelabrator facility in Lagrange, GA. This role ensures that products meet customer specifications and industry standards while continuously improving processes to increase efficiency and reduce defects. The Quality Manager will lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of quality systems to comply with regulatory requirements and company objectives.Job Functions
- Develop and Implement Quality Management Systems: Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of quality management systems (ISO 9001 or equivalent) to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance.
- Oversee Inspection and Testing Processes: Ensure proper testing and inspection protocols for raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods to meet customer specifications.
- Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions: Investigate product defects or process failures. Implement corrective actions and follow up on effectiveness.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive quality improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies to reduce scrap, improve yield, and enhance process efficiency.
- Customer Satisfaction: Act as the primary point of contact for quality-related customer concerns. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues in a timely manner.
- Supplier Quality Management: Monitor and evaluate supplier performance, conduct supplier audits, and collaborate with vendors to resolve quality issues.
- Compliance and Audits: Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to product quality. Prepare for and lead internal and external audits.
- Training and Development: Train and mentor production staff and quality control personnel on quality standards and best practices.
- Reporting: Generate regular reports on key quality metrics (KPIs), including defect rates, audit results, and cost of quality, for senior management.
- Other duties and projects as assigned.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quality Management, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality management within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or other relevant quality standards.
- Proven experience in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification (preferred)
- Strong analytical skills with experience in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in quality management tools and methodologies (e.g., SPC, FMEA, Control Plans).
- Ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Some travel may be required for customer or supplier visits.
Professional Characteristics
- Results orientated and motivated who leads by example
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Bias for decision making and execution
- Detail-oriented and thorough
- Driven to achieve operational efficiencies while maintaining a high-quality outcome
- Persistence and patience
- Customer Focused - Serves both external and internal clients by focusing effort on meeting the client needs, understanding their concerns, and seeking to build trust.
- Team Builder - Ability to convince a group of people to work toward a goal.
- Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
- Professionalism - Ability to promote a polished and professional manner.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and changes in priorities professionally.
- Tactful - Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others.
- Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
- Strategic thinker who can establish a successful plan and execute the plan to achieve top and bottom-line business growth
- Excellent communication skills enabling effective dialog with employees at all levels
- Ability and willingness to be hands-on as circumstances require
- A self-motivated individual, energizing others, setting the right priorities
- Highest possible ethical and professional standards; behaves in accordance with expressed beliefs and commitments
- Research Skills - Ability to design and conduct a systematic, objective, and critical investigation.
- Project Management - Ability to organize and direct a project to completion.
- Safety Awareness - Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
- Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
- Business Acumen - Ability to grasp and understand business concepts and issues.