Quality & Process Improvement Manager

Job Title: Quality & Process Improvement Manager

Employer: GreenForce Training and Staffing Trusted Employer Located in Buffalo

Position Status: Full Time

Salary: $100,000/year

Position Summary

The Quality & Process Improvement Manager is responsible for leading and actively executing all company quality systems, ISO 9001 compliance, corrective action programs, calibration and gauge control, quality KPIs, and process improvement initiatives. This role includes a strong hands-on presence on the shop floor, participating directly in audits, inspections, process validations, and quality investigations to ensure robust operational control. The manager models and reinforces the Company's Core Values—Be the Next Chapter, Listen. Learn. Solve., Own It!, and Love What We Do—while maintaining quality performance, product compliance, audit readiness, and customer satisfaction as core operational priorities. The position requires active involvement in daily operations, cross-functional leadership, disciplined adherence to quality systems, and practical problem-solving to support the Company’s operational excellence and long-term maturity.

Essential Functions

Leadership, Quality Governance & Team Development

The Quality Manager leads the Quality Department with accountability, operational discipline, and hands-on engagement while representing the Company’s Core Values in all actions and decisions.

Be the Next Chapter

• Lead the company’s quality strategy with a longterm mindset that strengthens Eastman’s operational capability and future maturity.
• Ensure quality personnel understand how their work impacts customer experience, field performance, and the Company’s legacy of craftsmanship.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Company’s ISO 9001:2015 system, documentation, audits, and management reviews.
• Engage directly in production audits, process walkthroughs, and operational Gemba activities to verify compliance at the point of use.
  
  

Listen. Learn. Solve.

• Mentor and develop quality team members using active listening, curiosity, and factbased coaching.
• Lead investigations into manufacturing or quality issues; drive structured rootcause analysis (8D, 5 Why, etc.).
• Actively participate in onfloor investigations, component inspections, defect verification, and data collection to ensure accurate problem definition.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Production, and Customer Service to resolve quality concerns quickly and effectively.
• Review customer returns, warranty claims, and field performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
  
  

Own It!

• Manage and enforce quality standards, audit programs, supplier quality processes, and corrective action systems (QT9).
• Conduct handson internal audits, process checks, and verification inspections to confirm compliance with work instructions and specifications.
• Ensure immediate escalation of nonconformances or customerimpacting issues.
• Oversee internal and external audits, surveillance audits, certification events, and customer compliance requirements.
• Maintain ownership of all quality KPIs and publish results with commentary and action plans.
  
  

Love What We Do

• Promote a culture of quality pride, craftsmanship, and precision.
• Recognize achievements reflecting strong problem solving, attention to detail, and customer focus.
• Foster a team environment where quality is everyone’s responsibility.
  
  

Operational Quality ResponsibilitiesISO 9001 & Compliance

• Lead all ISO 9001:2015 activities including surveillance, recertification, customer audits, and internal audits.
• Maintain auditready documentation and ensure crossfunctional alignment with quality standards.
• Perform onfloor audit verification to confirm realtime conformance to documented processes.
  
  

Quality Systems Management

• Manage QT9 corrective action system including CAPA initiation, tracking, verification, and closure.
• Oversee gauge control and calibration programs, ensuring all measurement devices are properly maintained, traceable, and fit for use.
• Perform handson gauge studies, calibration verification, and measurement audits to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Review and approve customer quality documentation including surveys, compliance forms, and certifications.
• Manage qualityrelated functions within the Company’s ERP systems, ensuring accurate traceability and documentation.
  
  

Data, KPIs & Analysis

• Prepare and present quality reports using accurate, relevant, and timely data.
• Analyze trends in returns, scrap, rework, warranty, supplier quality, and defect categories to make actionable recommendations.
• Validate data accuracy through physical review of components, processes, and shopfloor records.
  
  

Manufacturing & Engineering Support

• Provide daily handson support to manufacturing teams with quality interpretation, standards clarification, inspection methods, and problem solving.
• Assist operators and supervisors in identifying defects, verifying setups, and validating process stability.
• Support process validation, firstarticle inspection, and new product introduction.
• Collaborate with Engineering to review prints, specifications, and revisionlevel changes affecting quality.
• Partner with Operations to ensure stable, repeatable processes.
  
  

Process Improvement & Lean Initiatives

Listen. Learn. Solve.

• Identify opportunities for process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce cost, and eliminate waste.
• Support Lean manufacturing efforts including standard work, 6S, rootcause elimination, and workflow optimization.
• Participate directly in process mapping, kaizen activities, and handson improvement events.
  
  

Be the Next Chapter

• Drive longterm improvement initiatives that advance the Company’s maturity in quality culture, systems, and operational performance.
• Lead crossfunctional projects that enhance process capability, reduce scrap, and improve customer satisfaction.
  
  

Education & Experience Requirements

• BS in Engineering, Business, or related field preferred (equivalent experience considered).
• 35 years of quality leadership experience in assembly, machining, or fabrication environments.
• ISO 9001 experience required; ISO auditor certification strongly preferred.
• Experience with corrective actions, auditing, and quality data analytics.
• Working knowledge of Lean fundamentals; Six Sigma preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Experience with rootcause analysis tools (8D, 5 Why, FMEA) preferred.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across multiple departments.
  
  

Ergonomics

• This position requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, lift up to 30 lbs., inspect components, review documentation, and move throughout production areas.
• Must actively perform audits, inspections, gauge checks, and investigation activities on the shop floor.
• All functions must be performed safely with or without reasonable accommodations.