Quality Supervisor

JOB PURPOSE: The Quality Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily quality assurance and quality control activities within a manufacturing environment to ensure products consistently meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and company quality standards. This position supervises Quality Technicians and Inspectors, monitors production processes, investigates quality concerns, and drives continuous improvement initiatives.

The Quality Supervisor works closely with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and other departments to maintain product quality, food safety, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards, and established quality management systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Quality Assurance and Control

• Supervise daily quality inspection and testing activities across assigned production shifts to ensure compliance with established standards and specifications.
• Monitor product quality throughout the thermoforming and manufacturing processes, including raw materials, in-process production, and finished goods.
• Ensure products meet customer specifications, dimensional requirements, visual standards, and applicable food safety requirements.
• Review quality inspection reports, testing results, and production documentation to identify trends, defects, and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify, document, and communicate nonconforming products and ensure appropriate containment, disposition, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate product holds, inspections, and release activities in accordance with established procedures and authorization requirements.

Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with GMP, SQF, HACCP-based food safety programs, and applicable FDA requirements for food-contact packaging.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of the company's food safety and quality management systems.
• Conduct routine inspections and internal audits to verify compliance with quality procedures, sanitation requirements, and food safety standards.
• Assist with customer audits, third-party certification audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure accurate completion and retention of quality records, inspection reports, and corrective action documentation.
• Identify and escalate potential food safety risks, foreign material contamination, and product integrity concerns.

Supervision and Employee Development

• Provide daily supervision, direction, and technical guidance to Quality Technicians and Inspectors.
• Coordinate work assignments, staffing coverage, and inspection priorities to support manufacturing operations.
• Train employees on quality procedures, inspection methods, testing equipment, GMP requirements, and documentation standards.
• Monitor employee performance, provide coaching and feedback, and participate in performance evaluations and corrective action processes.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and consistent adherence to quality and safety procedures.
• Ensure effective communication and handoffs between shifts regarding quality concerns, product holds, and outstanding corrective actions.

Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Investigate internal quality issues, customer complaints, product defects, and process deviations.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) initiatives.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, and Maintenance to resolve quality concerns and reduce scrap, rework, and customer complaints.
• Monitor quality performance indicators, including defect rates, nonconforming products, customer complaints, and corrective action effectiveness.
• Recommend improvements to inspection procedures, testing methods, manufacturing processes, and quality documentation.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve product consistency, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Documentation and Communication

• Maintain accurate quality inspection records, audit documentation, corrective action reports, and related quality records.
• Communicate quality concerns and product nonconformances promptly to Production leadership and the Quality Manager.
• Prepare and present quality performance updates, inspection findings, and corrective action status reports.
• Participate in production meetings, shift handoffs, and cross-functional discussions regarding quality and food safety.
• Ensure quality procedures, work instructions, and inspection standards are current and consistently followed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

· Associate’s degree in Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Technology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline required; bachelor's degree preferred.

· Equivalent combinations of education and relevant manufacturing quality experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years of quality assurance or quality control experience in a manufacturing environment.
• At least 1-2 years of supervisory, team lead, or demonstrated leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in plastics manufacturing, thermoforming, extrusion, or food-contact packaging strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of GMP, SQF, HACCP principles, and quality management systems.
• Experience conducting quality inspections, investigating nonconformances, and implementing corrective actions.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 or other recognized quality management standards helpful.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of manufacturing quality control methods, inspection techniques, and process monitoring.
• Ability to read and interpret product specifications, engineering drawings, inspection criteria, and technical documentation.
• Proficiency using measuring and testing equipment, including calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other dimensional inspection tools.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, coach, and motivate employees.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and effectively communicate quality expectations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

· Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout a manufacturing facility for extended periods.

· Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

· Ability to perform visual inspections and use precision measuring equipment.

· Regular exposure to manufacturing equipment, machinery noise, and varying temperatures.

· Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with all GMP, food safety, and workplace safety requirements.

· Flexibility to work extended hours or provide coverage across shifts as operational needs require.

• Work is performed in a manufacturing environment that includes extrusion lines, thermoforming equipment, and material handling systems
• The production floor may include elevated noise levels, moving machinery, and variable temperatures typical of plastics processing operations
• The role requires regular time spent both in an office setting and on the manufacturing floor supporting production and troubleshooting processes
• Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to support production issues, trials, or process improvements across different shifts

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND ADA STATEMENT

Lacerta Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Darrell Caron in Human Resources at [email protected] or phone 508-964-8955 .

7pm to 7am including every other weekend.