Quality Assurance Supervisor

Job Title: Quality Assurance Supervisor

Reports to: Manufacturing Plant Manager

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Supervisor is responsible for leading the day-to-day activities of the Quality team to ensure products, processes, inspections, documentation, and corrective actions meet company standards, customer requirements, and applicable quality system expectations. This role provides daily direction, coaching, training, and support to quality technicians or specialists, works closely with production and operations to address quality concerns, and helps ensure inspection, non-conformance, audit, calibration, and corrective action processes are completed accurately and on time. The Quality Assurance Supervisor is primarily focused on execution, team support, issuing responses, and maintaining consistent quality practices on the production floor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership, setting a positive example and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, customer service, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Provide daily direction, coaching, training, scheduling support, performance feedback, and workload prioritization for quality assurance personnel.
• Work with Manufacturing Plant Manager to apply and ensure compliance with policies and procedures regarding performance, quality standards, safety, personnel management, etc.
• Develop personnel through the use of hiring, training, performance management, coaching, disciplinary actions, terminations, and similar personnel management activities.
• Set goals, plan work, and allocate tasks to ensure efficient utilization of resources and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Coach, mentor, and support team members in achieving daily objectives and department goals.
• Monitor team performance, provide timely feedback, and address performance issues as needed.
• Maintain open and effective communication channels within the team and with other stakeholders.
• Resolve conflicts and make informed decisions to drive success.

Essential Duties

• Lead daily quality assurance activities to support effective quality and safety practices across assigned Volm Companies’ locations.
• Lead daily quality assurance activities on the production floor.
• Maintaincompliance with company quality procedures and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System(QMS), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and American Institute of Baking (AIB) requirements.
• Ensure inspections, testing, product checks, and quality documentation are completed accurately and on time. 
• Respond to internal quality issues, process deviations, product defects, and customer concerns. 
• Support investigations into non-conformance, customer complaints, and supplier quality issues. 
• Assist with root cause analysis and help implement corrective and preventive actions. 
• Develop product specifications and expectations.
• Establish Statistical Process Control (SPC) testing frequency and test parameters.
• Maintain quality records, inspection logs, calibration records, non-conformance reports, and corrective action documentation. 
• Support internal audits and follow up on audit findings. 
• Monitor quality trends, inspection results, and production quality concerns. 
• Communicate daily quality issues and improvement needs to production, operations, and management. 
• Promote quality, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement with the quality team and production employees.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and root cause analysis skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in the use of inspection devices, procedures, and techniques.
• Effective organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently with limited supervision.
• Adaptability and flexibility to embrace change, learn new skills, and support continuous improvement.
• Meticulous attention to detail in completing tasks, documentation, inspections, and recordkeeping.
• Customer service orientation with a focus on understanding and addressing customer needs.
• Basic understanding of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes.
• Working knowledge of QMS, corrective action processes, audit practices, and manufacturing quality requirements.

Education and Experience

• Knowledge of general quality management that is normally acquired by the completion of abachelor’s degree in Business Management, Systems Management, or Operations; or equivalent work experience.
• Certification as internal auditor to ISO 9001:2015 required.
• Certification as trainer for Root Cause Analysis required.
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification required.
• Minimum of one year of supervisory, lead, training, or team coordination experience.
• Minimum of five years of relevant quality, manufacturing, or operations experience preferred.
• Certification as trainer forroot cause analysis, corrective action, non-conformance management, audits, inspections, calibration, and quality documentation.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing, Statistical Process Control, Advanced Quality Planning (APQP), or continuous improvement preferred.
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS), and International Organization for Standardization 22000 (ISO 22000) quality management requirements in a food packaging manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with ISO 9001:2015-compliant Quality Management Systems in a manufacturing environment required or preferred based on business need.
• Understanding of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Lean Manufacturing, Statistical Process Control, and continuous improvement principles preferred.
• Understanding of lean manufacturing principles such as process mapping, root cause analysisdevelopment, data analyzation, DMAIC process, and value stream mapping.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time. 
• Endurance to withstand prolonged periods of physical activity or work shifts, particularly relevant for inspection processes that involve repetitive tasks. 
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy objects. 
• Ability to lift and carry objects of various weights, ranging from light office supplies to boxes of bag products (typically up to 50 lbs.). 
• Flexibility to bend, stoop, and reach low or high objects, particularly relevant for jobs that involve inspection and investigation activities. 
• Ability to climb ladders, stairs, or scaffolding, as required in certain manufacturing environments. 
• Ability to move quickly, easily, and with coordination to navigate through tight spaces, react swiftly to changing work conditions, and perform tasks that require agility. 
• Proficiency in using hands, fingers, and arms for tasks such as typing, writing, operating measuring devices, etc. 
• Good hand-eye coordination and motor skills for tasks that require precision, such as operating measuring devices or using hand tools. 
• Sufficient visual acuity to read documents, operate equipment, and recognize details at close and distant ranges. 
• Ability to hear and understand verbal communication, as well as detect warning signals or equipment malfunctions. 
• Adaptability to work in varying environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, noise, dust, or fumes, depending on the nature of the job. 
• A willingness to adhere to safety protocols and wear protective gear, including hearing protection, safety glasses or goggles, gloves, safety shoes, and hair restraints (if applicable) as required by the job.

Company Culture & Values

• A Commitment to Our Purpose (COMMITTED PEOPLE) – Our mission is to serve and build up our customers, suppliers, communities, and each other, guided by the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The commitment to serving and building up is easily seen in those employees that exemplify this value.
• Without Our Customers We Are Nothing (CUSTOMER FIRST) – We realize that we are blessed to serve our customers and without them, our company does not exist.  They rely on us for their success and that is a responsibility we cannot take lightly.  Our focus must be on serving them with as seamless communication and access to products as possible.
• Kind, Humble and Positive (HUMBLE) – These positive traits do not mean being a doormat to others.  But when a person is kind, humble and positive it comes through in their genuine caring for those around them.
• A Desire For “Expert” (EXPERTS) – Our people want to be seen as the experts in their specific roles.  From how we convert a bag efficiently and with highest quality, to knowledge of the product portfolio, to desiring to know more about tax or human resource policy – the desire for “expert” drives us in each of our roles.
• Intentional Growth – Developing of Self and Others (PERSONAL GROWTH)– Times, tools, and customer expectations change.  Our team members are interested in developing themselves and those around them.   We know that a stronger team is one that makes our customers and our fellow employees happier.
• Strong Work Ethic (HARD WORKERS) – The commitment to serve those around us is honorable and we respond to this by putting our strongest effort into that purpose.
• High Expectations of Self and Others (HIGH EXPECTATIONS) – We expect ourselves, and those around us, to put in our best effort.  When others struggle, we help them align towards perfection.  When we struggle, we are open and humble to hear itand course-correct accordingly.
• If It Isn’t Safe, We Don’t Do It (SAFETY) – All people deserve to return home to their loved ones safely and work in an environment where they can best execute their tasks safely.  When choosing between safety and profit, safety and efficiency, safety and feelings, safety, and “x” – we choose safety.

Travel Requirements 

This position requires occasional overnight travel and occasional travel within the workday.   

Driver Qualification

The ability to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle on behalf of the company may be required. Inclusion in the company’s driver qualification program is required to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle. 

Becoming a qualified driver includes:

• Agree to the company driving policies that apply to company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle as applicable.
• Possessand maintain a valid driver’slicense and be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record, as evidenced by completion of a baseline motor vehicle record check and ongoing monitoring.
• When driving a personal vehicle on behalf of the company, must provide a copy of the declaration page from personal auto insurance that shows the policy dates and minimum coverage amounts ($300,000 bodily injury per accident/$100,000 property damage per accidentorif driving less than 5 hours/200 miles a year $50,000 bodily injury per accident/$10,000 property damage per accident or the state minimum, whichever is more). This requirement is initially and then annually thereafter.

This job description is intended as a general outline of the primary responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove any responsibilities, duties, or activities as deemed necessary with or without notice.

Volm Companies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and other protected characteristics. If you require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, please inform us and we will work with you to address your needs.

Benefits

As a family-owned and operated company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. We offer a strong foundation of benefits, including access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, an HSA employer contribution, and a 401k with profit sharing to secure your future. To support your overall well-being and family life, we offer additional benefits beyond the core package, such as paid vacation, wellness stipends, childcare reimbursement assistance, and much more. We are committed to continuously enhancing our benefits to meet the evolving needs of our team.