Quality & Continuous Improvement Supervisor

Job Title: Quality & Continuous Improvement Supervisor
Department: Operations
Reports To: Production Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Quality & Continuous Improvement Supervisor is responsible for leading the organization's quality management efforts while driving continuous improvement initiatives throughout manufacturing operations. This role ensures products consistently meet customer requirements, regulatory standards, and company expectations while fostering a culture focused on operational excellence, waste reduction, and process improvement.

Working cross-functionally with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Leadership, this position identifies opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, safety, and productivity through structured problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and Lean Manufacturing principles.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Management

• Lead and maintain the facility's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, quality standards, and internal procedures.
• Investigate customer complaints, nonconformances, and quality concerns to determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Lead Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA/CPAR) processes and verify effectiveness.
• Develop, maintain, and improve quality procedures, inspection standards, and work instructions.
• Monitor quality performance metrics and communicate results to leadership.
• Conduct internal audits and support customer, supplier, and certification audits.
• Oversee calibration programs and control of inspection and measurement equipment.
• Manage nonconforming material processes and disposition activities.
• Partner with production teams to reduce defects, rework, scrap, and customer quality issues.
• Support supplier quality initiatives, customer visits, and intercompany quality projects as required.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement programs across the facility.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, process improvement workshops, and cross-functional improvement teams.
• Utilize Lean tools including 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Value Stream Mapping, A3 Problem Solving, PDCA, Root Cause Analysis, and Waste Elimination methodologies.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, throughput, and cost performance.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure improvement effectiveness.
• Track and report savings, efficiencies, and operational gains from improvement initiatives.
• Support departments in developing standardized work processes and sustainable operating procedures.

Leadership & Development

• Supervise quality technicians, inspectors, and other assigned personnel.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities to team members.
• Deliver training on quality systems, Lean principles, problem-solving methods, and process excellence.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback to support employee growth.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Operational Support

• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Scheduling, and Supply Chain teams to address manufacturing challenges and improve operational performance.
• Support new product launches, process changes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with inventory accuracy efforts and annual physical inventory activities as needed.
• Participate in safety initiatives and ensure compliance with company safety policies and procedures.
• Provide hands-on support within manufacturing operations when business needs require.
• Maintain flexibility to support overtime, customer needs, and operational demands.

Qualifications

Education

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and manufacturing experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience supervising employees in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Experience conducting Root Cause Analysis and implementing corrective actions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and drive actionable improvements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with ERP systems, quality reporting tools, and manufacturing metrics preferred.

Preferred Certifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Six Sigma Certification
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or related certification
• Internal Auditor Certification
• OSHA 30-Hour Certification preferred

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk throughout manufacturing facilities for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to bend, kneel, stoop, climb stairs, and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to work in manufacturing environments with varying temperatures and conditions.

Core Competencies

• Leadership
• Accountability
• Continuous Improvement
• Customer Focus
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Communication
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability
• Integrity
• Safety Awareness