Quality & Laboratory Manager

Header Overview The Quality & Laboratory Manager is responsible for leading all quality assurance, quality control, laboratory testing, calibration, ISO compliance, continuous improvement, and technical quality systems within a magnesia-carbon refractory manufacturing facility. The position ensures that all raw materials, work-in-process products, and finished refractory products meet established specifications, customer requirements, and applicable quality standards. This role provides leadership for laboratory operations, testing programs, statistical process control, measurement system analysis, calibration systems, ISO 9001 compliance, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives. The position serves as the primary quality representative during customer audits, certification audits, and supplier qualification activities. Duties Maintain and continuously improve the facility Quality Management System (QMS). Ensure compliance with

ISO 9001

requirements and other applicable industry standards. Manage document control, record retention, and revision control systems. Lead internal audits and coordinate external certification audits. Manage corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs. Monitor quality objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs). Conduct management review activities and prepare quality performance reports. Ensure compliance with customer-specific quality requirements. Direct daily operations of chemical and physical testing laboratories. Establish and maintain laboratory procedures and work instructions. Ensure testing is performed according to approved methods and standards. Supervise laboratory technicians and quality personnel. Review and approve laboratory reports and certificates of analysis. Maintain laboratory safety programs and housekeeping standards.

Manage and verify testing programs:

Cold Crushing Strength, Modulus of Rupture, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity, XRF Chemical Analysis, LECO Carbon/Sulfur Analysis, Particle Size Analysis, Loss on Ignition, Moisture Analysis, Raw Material Qualification Testing, Slag Analysis, Carbon and Graphite Characterization. Verification of testing procedures. Calibration and maintenance of testing equipment. Statistical evaluation of test results. Development of control charts and process capability studies. Development and validation of analytical methods. Laboratory precision studies. Monitoring laboratory accuracy. Coordination of third-party laboratory correlation studies. Maintain a documented calibration system. Develop annual calibration schedules. Ensure traceability to recognized standards. Coordinate external calibration providers. Maintain calibration records and certificates. Investigate out-of-tolerance conditions. Assess impact of calibration failures on product quality. Conduct Gage R&R studies for mechanical testing equipment. Conduct laboratory R&R studies for chemical analyses. Evaluate operator variation. Evaluate equipment variation. Identify measurement system improvement opportunities. Product quality improvement. Yield improvement. Scrap reduction. Variation reduction. Cost reduction. Process capability enhancement. Laboratory efficiency improvements. Approve and monitor raw material suppliers. Conduct supplier audits. Review supplier certificates of analysis. Manage supplier corrective actions. Develop supplier performance metrics. Interface with customers regarding quality matters. Investigate complaints and nonconformances. Coordinate customer audits. Prepare technical quality reports. Support product qualification programs. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in

Ceramic Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Industrial Engineering Pay:

$65,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): Do you possess any level of Six Sigma? If so, what level of Six Sigma do you posses?

Education:

Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

Refractory Quality Management:

5 years (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person