Ready to lead where quality meets action? ETC is looking for a hands-on Quality Improvement Manager to drive data-backed improvements, tackle product and process challenges, and lead an inspector-heavy team to success. In this role, you'll guide cross-functional teams, dig into quality trends, and turn insights into measurable results• while keeping our ISO systems strong and our operations running smoothly.
Just as important, you'll be a people-first leader• coaching, developing, and empowering a team of inspectors. You'll set clear expectations, build accountability, support career growth, and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture where your team can thrive.
You'll partner across departments and with suppliers to solve problems at the root, reduce defects, and elevate performance across the board• all while building a strong, engaged team that takes pride in delivering quality at every step. If you're equal parts strategist, problem-solver, and team builder, this is your chance to make a visible impact.
If you have any questions about the position or recruitment process, please reach out to Kennedy Kitelinger at kennedy.kitelinger@etcconnect.com or 608.824.5318.
Representative Responsibilities:
• Lead cross-functional, data-driven quality improvement teams to solve systemic product and process issues using structured problem-solving methods, with clear targets, owners, and sustainability plans.
• Ensure that each team reviews the data and identifies trends and issues to be fixed
• Ensure that action items are assigned and followed up is completed
• Ensure that meeting minutes are taken and properly distributed
• Monthly review of quality reports with team
• Manage quality measures
• SAP service notifications and quality notifications
• Top 5 quality issues per product line
• Manufacturing scrap
• NCMRs
• On-time shipments
• Reports on global product performance in the field and production
• Provide on time delivery and PPM reporting for vendors
• Provides analysis and insight to highlight areas of concern
• Other data as appropriate
• Manage corrective actions with suppliers
• Coordinate product holds
• Manage first piece inspection and in-process audit involvement by QA personnel
• Manage pilot run reviews
• Leads cross-functional, data-driven continuous improvement teams using structured problem-solving methods (e.g., PDCA, root cause analysis) with clear targets, owners, and sustainment plans.
• Assist Purchasing in the selection of new vendors and the regular review of current vendors performance
• Work with vendors to achieve and maintain 'direct to stock• status
• Works closely with R&D, Manufacturing Engineering, Tech Services, Purchasing, and Manufacturing to embed continuous improvement and prevention principles early in design, sourcing, and production processes
• Other duties as assigned.
• Special projects and requests are completed in a timely and positive fashion.
ISO Responsibilities:
• Ensures all necessary functions have defined policies and procedures
• Oversees the ISO 9001 quality system
• SAP Quality Notifications
• Corrective Action System
• Calibration system
• Assists in solving quality alerts and corrective actions in a timely manner
• Oversee our internal audits
• Manages the inspection teams according to QSP 10.1 Receiving/ In-Process/Final Inspection and Testing
• Identifies required inspections
• Assigns responsibility for inspection
• Manage ESD maintenance activities according to QSWI 15.1.4 ESD Maintenance Work Instruction
• Manages ETC's nonconforming material system according to QSP 13.1 Nonconforming Product Review and Disposition
• Coordinate MRBs
• Manages final inspection according to QSP 10.1 Receiving/In-Process/Final Inspection and Testing
• Develops and improves final inspection processes
• Identifies required final inspection
• Assigns responsibility for product audits
Supervisory Responsibilities:
• Manage the Quality department employees
• Directly supervises the QA team leader and QA inspectors
• Coordinates and collaborates with other departments of the company in establishing and carrying out responsibilities
• Develop and maintain positive communication between department and other departments
• Performs the hiring, orientation, training, performance management, career development, and overall employee development of department personnel
• Formulates, implements and reviews ISO procedures related to the department
• Instructs employees about procedures and work instructions
• Informs employees as to company/departmental plans and progress
• Maintains reporting on all department activities
• Continue to monitor efficiency in the department and make improvements where appropriate
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Technical Area, or 8 years of comparable experience
• 3-5 years previous supervisory experience
• 5-10 years of continuous improvement, QA and QC experience
• Familiarity with employment law
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Computer skills
• Continuous improvement, Quality assurance and control knowledge
• Gauging and measurement-Metrology
