Quality Operations Supervisor - Downhole Tools

The Quality Operations Supervisor oversees daily quality control activities for incoming, in-process, and final inspections. Maintaining KPI reporting, providing employee training and supplier audits as directed by the quality manager. This role ensures all products meet company, industry, and customer standards by coordinating inspection resources, enforcing quality procedures, and maintaining effective communication across departments. Serving as the primary liaison between Quality, Operations, and Customers, the Quality Operations Supervisor manages day-to-day quality matters to support consistent product excellence and continuous improvement. Preferred to have direct experience with API quality and design requirements, specifically as it relates to API-14A for Subsurface Safey Valves and associated equipment in a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• Maintain QMS program as required based on industry changes or Quality Manager inputs
• Work with the Production and Quality Managers to assign inspection tasks to Inspectors based on project schedules and priorities.
• Ensure inspection activities align with project milestones and customer delivery commitments.
• Participate in internal and external audits, supporting corrective actions and compliance verification
• Participate in Suppler Audits and qualifications, ensuring supplier audit records are maintained
• Participate in and manage the Calibration System, providing training and oversight where necessary

Incoming, In-Process, and Final Inspection

• Conduct and document first article inspections (FAI) when applicable.
• Manage and close out NCRs at component or assembly levels
• Manage in-process inspections during assembly to catch defects early.
• Supervise / actively participate in final inspections before release to inventory, testing or shipment.

Documentation & Traceability

• Ensure inspection reports, checklists, and required documentation are completed accurately and on time.
• Ensure traceability of materials and components per Tejas industry and customer requirements.
• Verify all customer-specific documentation requirements are met prior to shipment.

NCR & Corrective Action Support

• Identify, document, and escalate NCRs to the Quality Manager.
• Assist in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Track closure of NCRs related to inspection findings, collect and analyze KPI data, for corrective action if required

Customer & Third-Party Interface

• Host customers and third-party inspectors for witness and hold-point inspections.
• Provide inspection status updates to Project Managers and Quality Manager.
• Coordinate inspection schedules to meet customer witness requirements.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Production/Shop Manager to schedule inspections without delaying workflow.
• Partner with Supply Chain to address supplier-related quality issues.
• Communicate proactively with Project Managers about quality-related risks to delivery.

Continuous Improvement

• Actively participate in Customer or Regulatory Audits
• Recommend improvements to process and procedures.
• Provide feedback to the Quality Manager for updating quality procedures.
• Support training inspectors in new inspection techniques or requirements.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of quality control processes for incoming, in-process, and final inspections in a manufacturing or engineer-to-order (ETO) environment.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and customer documentation requirements.
• Working knowledge of traceability requirements, MTRs/COCs, and documentation control.
• Familiarity with NCR reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action processes.
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to coordinate and direct inspection personnel to meet production schedules.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments (Production, Supply Chain, Project Management).
• Experience hosting customer and third-party witness inspections.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to maintaining quality standards and driving continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.
• Knowledge of applicable industry quality standards (e.g., API Q1/Q2, ISO 9001).

Education and Experience

• Associate degree or technical certification in Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, or a related field and or direct experience (Bachelor’s degree preferred).
• 5 years of experience in quality engineering or quality assurance roles
• Certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or ISO Lead Auditor preferred.
• Working knowledge of QMS systems, internal audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.