Deputy Head – QA/QC & Technical Services

Little Rock, Arkansas

Position Overview

An established heavy industrial manufacturing company is in search of a Deputy Head – QA/QC & Technical Services to take on the responsibility of overseeing quality control in a complex manufacturing setting. Reporting directly to the Head of QA/QC & Technical Services, this role is pivotal in converting quality strategies into everyday plant operations to support business growth, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate will need solid technical judgment, credibility with customers, and the ability to drive quality performance within manufacturing, coating, laboratory, NDT, document control, product release, and compliance areas.

The successful applicant should be at ease both on the production floor, interfacing with customers and third-party inspectors, and presenting to senior management.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Operations Leadership

• Lead daily QA/QC operations for manufacturing, coating, laboratory, NDT, document control, and product release functions.
• Address quality challenges, testing delays, release priorities, rework tasks, and production quality issues.
• Ensure adherence to inspection, testing, traceability, and customer compliance standards.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Guarantee compliance with API, ISO, customer, and regulatory standards.
• Drive initiatives for NCR, CAPA, audit readiness, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain documentation for audits and facilitate customer and third-party inspections.

Inspection, Testing & Product Release

• Supervise raw material, in-process, and final inspection procedures.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation for product release and material test certifications.
• Support laboratory, NDT, calibration, coating inspection, and testing operations.

Customer & Third-Party Interface

• Act as the primary contact for customer inspections, audits, technical reviews, and quality inquiries.
• Assist with customer approvals, project qualifications, and technical clarifications.
• Lead investigations into complaints and corrective action procedures.

Operational Growth & Integration

• Support quality readiness for new manufacturing capabilities, product qualifications, and customer approvals.
• Ensure successful integration of new technologies while meeting customer and certification requirements.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Develop quality managers, engineers, supervisors, inspectors, laboratory personnel, NDT technicians, and document control staff.
• Create competency matrices, training plans, certification programs, and succession strategies.
• Act on behalf of the Head of QA/QC when needed.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Over 10 years of quality leadership experience in industries such as steel, pipe, coating, welding, or heavy manufacturing.
• At least 5 years of experience overseeing plant-level QA/QC operations.
• Proven track record managing quality programs in heavily regulated manufacturing environments.

Technical Expertise

• Thorough knowledge of API Q1, API 5L, ISO 9001, or similar quality systems.
• Experience with quality assurance plans, inspection and test plans, welding procedures, and product release requirements.
• Familiarity with NDT methods including UT, RT, AUT, hydrotesting, and mechanical testing.

Leadership Profile

• Hands-on leader focused on plant operations.
• Capable of making quality decisions under production pressure.
• Effective communicator with customers, inspectors, and senior management.
• Track record of building successful quality teams.

Digital & Continuous Improvement

• Experience using quality dashboards, SPC, NCR/CAPA workflows, MES, ERP, and data-driven quality tools.
• Ability to use data to enhance quality performance and compliance.

Education (Required)

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Welding Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.