Quality Supervisor

Job Description

Purpose of Position:

The Quality Supervisor develops, implements, and manages quality control training programs designed to ensure continuous production and high levels of quality (consistent with established standards, customer specifications, and production goals). This position will work closely with the management team to improve the profitability of the plant and will manage and control the parameters and set-up of all optimized equipment.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Quality Control Management:

· Oversee and supervise the quality control processes at each stage of the sawmill operation, from raw material input to finished product.

· Ensure that all wood products, including lumber, beams, and planks, meet the required quality specifications and industry standards.

· Develop and implement quality control procedures to identify defects, deviations, or non-conformities in the production process.

· Conduct regular quality audits and inspections to ensure compliance with established quality standards.

Team Supervision & Training:

· Supervise a team of quality control inspectors, providing leadership, guidance, and training on quality standards, inspection techniques, and safety protocols.

· Ensure that the quality control team is properly trained and equipped to perform their duties effectively.

· Schedule and delegate quality control inspections, ensuring that quality checks are performed on all incoming materials, in-process production, and finished products.

Inspection & Testing:

· Conduct routine inspections of raw materials (e.g., timber) to ensure they meet required standards for size, species, and quality before entering the production process.

· Monitor and inspect the milling process to ensure consistency and compliance with production specifications.

· Perform or oversee testing of finished products to verify that they meet dimensional, strength, and appearance standards.

· Document findings and maintain detailed records of inspections, tests, and corrective actions taken.

Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action:

· Investigate quality issues or defects identified during production and work with production and maintenance teams to determine the root causes.

· Implement corrective and preventive actions to address quality problems, ensuring minimal impact on production timelines and product quality.

· Ensure that corrective actions are documented and communicated to the relevant teams for continuous improvement.

Process Improvement & Standardization:

· Work closely with the production and engineering teams to identify opportunities for improving product quality, increasing efficiency, and reducing waste.

· Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing the quality control process and overall production standards.

· Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for quality control, ensuring that all employees are following best practices.

Documentation & Reporting:

· Maintain accurate records of all quality control activities, including inspections, testing, audits, and corrective actions.

· Prepare and present regular quality reports for senior management, highlighting key quality metrics, issues, and progress toward improvement goals.

· Ensure that all quality documentation complies with regulatory standards and internal policies.

Compliance & Safety:

· Ensure that the sawmill complies with all relevant quality standards, industry regulations, and safety requirements.

· Promote a culture of safety by ensuring that quality control activities adhere to safety protocols and best practices.

· Assist in maintaining environmental and safety compliance within the quality control processes.

Customer Satisfaction:

· Work closely with the sales and customer service teams to address any customer complaints or concerns related to product quality.

· Assist in the development of customer specifications and requirements to ensure that products meet customer expectations.

· Monitor customer feedback on product quality and collaborate with relevant teams to implement improvements as needed.

Inventory & Equipment Management:

· Ensure that all quality control tools, equipment, and machinery are properly calibrated, maintained, and in good working order.

· Oversee the inventory of quality control materials and supplies, ensuring that the team has the necessary resources to perform inspections and testing effectively.

1. Performs other duties as assigned and /or required

2. Travel to other US divisions may be required

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Required:

· Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, team building and negotiations skills

· Ability to exercise a high degree of discretion and judgment

· Ability to build and maintain strong relationships and act as a facilitator

· Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills

· Proven ability in financial analysis

· Strong organizational skills with the desire to accept the challenge of working in continually changing internal and external business conditions

· Strong computer skills in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel

Experience, Training, Certification and Education (demonstrating requirements):

-Education:

· Bachelor’s degree in forestry, Wood Science, Industrial Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field is preferred.

· Certification in quality control (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean) is a plus.

-Experience:

· At least 5 years of experience in a quality control or quality assurance role within a manufacturing, sawmill, or wood products environment.

· Prior experience supervising or leading a team is required.

· Knowledge of sawmill operations, including lumber production, wood grading, and industry-specific quality standards.

Skills & Competencies:

· Strong knowledge of quality control techniques and tools, such as inspection methods, root cause analysis, and statistical process control (SPC).

· Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify quality issues and implement effective solutions.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and quality management software.

· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present quality reports and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

· Demonstrated ability to work with frequent interruptions in workflow and constantly changing priorities.

· Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time with the ability to move throughout the office or outside manufacturing plant as needed.

· Must be able to perform physical activities that require use of fingers, hands and arms, such as sitting, typing, using office equipment and reaching.

· Some additional physical activities may require walking, stooping, bending, twisting, and handling of materials.

· Position requires manual dexterity, arm-hand steadiness and a safety-minded individual.

· Must have the ability to concentrate on tasks for long periods of time and be able to observe and receive information from all relevant sources.

· This role may involve working outdoors, in forested environments, or at logging and timber processing sites.

· Occasional travel to timber procurements sites, supplier meetings, and logging operations.

· Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and conduct hands-on inspections of material and products.

· Ability to work in a sawmill environment, which may involve exposure to noise, dust, and varying temperatures.

Teal Jones is an Equal Opportunity Employer: M/F/Vets/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Full-time