Technical and Quality Manager

Job Title

Position Overview

Shaw Industries is hiring a Technical & Quality Manager to be responsible for providing strategic technical leadership, quality management, process optimization, and innovation across Shaw's backing, carpet, and related manufacturing operations. This role serves as the recognized technical expert for primary backing and associated manufacturing processes while leading quality assurance, continuous improvement, product development, and technical training initiatives.

The position drives manufacturing excellence through process control, product innovation, talent development, and cross-functional collaboration. It ensures alignment with customer expectations, corporate standards, regulatory requirements, and Shaw's long-term business objectives while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, service, cost competitiveness, and continuous improvement. This position combines technical leadership, people leadership, and project management responsibilities to support both existing operations and future growth opportunities

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Innovation

• Serve as Shaw's recognized technical leader in primary backing, carpet backing, and related manufacturing technologies.
• Maintain comprehensive technical expertise in soft surface materials, yarn, fiber, carpet, backing products, and associated manufacturing processes.
• Participate in local and global equipment, technology, and process development initiative efforts from concept through commercialization and commoditization.
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and internal stakeholders to identify and implement innovative solutions.
• Audit industry patents and emerging technologies to identify opportunities and risks affecting Shaw's business.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and oversee all plant quality assurance and quality management activities from raw materials through finished goods.
• Establish and maintain quality systems aligned with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and corporate expectations.
• Lead variation reduction efforts through corrective and preventive action programs.
• Identify and implement process improvements that improve product quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Develop systems for material utilization, inventory control, and process optimization.
• Ensure products consistently meet end-use customer expectations and performance requirements.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, develop, and coach quality and technical teams, including quality manager, engineers, coordinators, technicians, and support personnel.
• Create and sustain education and training programs for plant management, supervisors, technicians, operators, and emerging leaders.
• Build organizational capability by developing technical expertise throughout manufacturing operations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration.
• Provide technical mentoring and support across multiple manufacturing disciplines and functions, both in carpet and backing.

Project & Process Management

• Initiate, plan, coordinate, and execute technical projects and manufacturing initiatives.
• Authorize and manage Material Trial Requests (MTRs), Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), and pilot plant trials.
• Analyze and communicate trial results, recommendations, and key findings to senior leadership.
• Conduct technical studies using structured scientific and analytical methodologies and maintain complete documentation.
• Lead product qualification efforts, field testing programs, and process validation activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the primary liaison among manufacturing, technical services, quality, planning, process engineering, product development, R&D, supply chain, sales, marketing, and procurement.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with divisional and plant leadership teams.
• Act as the primary technical contact for key equipment suppliers, raw material suppliers, and strategic partners while maintaining preferred supplier status.
• Support customer, supplier, and vendor evaluations, audits, and problem-solving activities.
• Provide technical input to strategic agreements, customer issues, and legal matters involving products and manufacturing processes.

Problem Solving & Operational Excellence

• Lead technical problem-solving efforts across backing and carpet manufacturing operations.
• Analyze process and product performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement solutions that improve safety, quality, service, and cost performance.
• Support manufacturing teams in resolving customer, supplier, and process-related issues.
• Apply strong mechanical, analytical, and statistical problem-solving skills to complex technical challenges.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Degree in Engineering, Textile Engineering, Chemistry, Operations Management, or related technical discipline preferred.
• Advanced degree is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing, technical, quality, or engineering experience.
• Previous leadership experience in carpet, backing, fiber, extrusion, weaving, non-woven, yarn, or related manufacturing environments preferred.
• Demonstrated success in project management and cross-functional leadership.
• Experience leading technical, quality, or operational improvement initiatives.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification or demonstrated ability to obtain certification preferred

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of carpet, backing, yarn, fiber, and related manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of process control, quality systems, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and data analysis tools, including spreadsheets, statistical software, and reporting systems.
• Ability to interpret technical data and make sound business recommendations.

Key Competencies:

Leadership

• Establish Strategic Direction
• Lead Change
• Coach & Develop Others
• Build Trusting Relationships

Business Excellence

• Customer Focus
• Continuous Improvement
• Operational Excellence
• Results Orientation

Innovation & Growth

• Encourage Innovation
• Strategic Thinking
• Decision Making
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning

Collaboration

• Effective Communication
• Influencing Skills
• Cross-Functional Partnership
• Team Development

Business Imperatives

• Innovation: Foster innovation, adaptability, and continuous learning to create competitive advantages.
• People: Develop talent, build trust, and strengthen organizational capability.
• Strategy: Execute action plans effectively while influencing alignment across functions.
• Growth: Drive customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and sustainable business growth through sound judgment and decisive action.

Travel: Willingness to travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customers, and industry partners as required.

Work Shift

Shaw Industries is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.