Director of Inspection & Quality Control

Salem Metal, Inc.; Middleton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Inspection and Quality Control to lead quality assurance in a precision sheet metal manufacturing facility. This role demands extensive experience in quality control processes, including First Article Inspections and managing non-conforming materials. The ideal candidate will foster a culture of excellence while ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 standards. Join a dynamic team dedicated to continuous improvement and quality, where your leadership will make a significant impact on the company's success. This position offers a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.

Benefits

Annual Bonus

Company Celebrations

Recognition Events

Professional Development

State-of-the-art Facility

Qualifications

• 7+ years in quality control, preferably in precision fabrication or sheet metal.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and First Article Inspections (FAI).
• Proven leadership in supervising inspection teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee First Article Inspections (FAI) and ensure compliance with standards.
• Lead and supervise the quality inspection team, providing training.
• Manage non-conforming materials and customer returns effectively.

Skills

Quality Control

ISO 9001

First Article Inspections (FAI)

Calibration Procedures

Leadership

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Tools

ERP Systems (Epicor preferred)

Job description

Position Overview

The Director of Inspection and Quality Control leads, oversees, and performs inspection activities within our ISO 9001-certified precision sheet metal manufacturing facility. The ideal candidate will ensure strict compliance with quality standards, drive continuous improvement, and maintain a culture of excellence in inspections and quality assurance processes. This position requires extensive experience with measurements, systems, and reporting including First Article Inspections (FAI), non-conforming materials management, customer returns, calibration processes, and supervising a team of inspectors. This is a full-time on-site role with external customer focus and internal reporting responsibilities to the Leadership Team, including the Chief Operations Officer and Production Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

Inspection & Quality Control

• Oversee First Article Inspections (FAI), ensuring compliance with industry standards and customer-specific requirements.
• Implement and maintain inspection processes for incoming, in-process, and final product inspections.
• Drive adherence to ISO 9001 and other applicable standards such as AS9100D. Comply with industry best practices.
• Lead the ISO audit and re-certification process for the company.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with calibration procedures for inspection tools and equipment.

People Management & Leadership

• Lead and supervise the quality inspection team, providing training, mentoring, and performance evaluations.
• Foster a quality-driven culture and ensure staff adherence to company quality policies and procedures.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to resolve quality issues effectively.

Non-Conforming Materials & Customer Returns

• Oversee Material Review Board (MRB) activities and manage non-conforming materials.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes for customer returns and internal quality issues.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive action plans to eliminate recurring issues.
• Complete customer-issued Corrective Action Requests (CAR’s), Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR’s) as needed.
• Interface with customer and supplier Quality, Engineering, and Operations subject matter experts to resolve Quality-related issues.

ERP & Data Management

• Utilize ERP systems (Epicor preferred) to track quality metrics, inspection reports, and non-conforming materials.
• Report Quality Key Performance Indicators to internal stakeholders.
• Maintain and improve digital documentation of inspection records, certifications, and compliance reports.
• Drive data-driven decision-making for continuous quality improvements.

Continuous Improvement & Compliance

• Support internal and external audits, ensuring alignment with ISO 9001 and customer requirements.
• Develop and implement process improvement initiatives to enhance quality and efficiency.
• Stay up to date with industry regulations, standards, and best practices in sheet metal manufacturing.

Qualifications & Skills

• 7+ years of experience in quality control, preferably within a precision fabrication, CNC machining, or sheet metal manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, First Article Inspections (FAI), and calibration procedures.
• Proven leadership experience in supervising and training inspection teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing non-conforming materials, customer returns, and corrective actions.
• Ability to work Saturday shifts and overtime as needed to support Production Operations.
• Ability to perform job duties that require extended periods of standing, sitting, measuring, bending, and lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Experience working with ERP systems (Epicor a strong plus).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills.
• Strong understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) and blueprint reading.
• Ability to interact with customers and internal teams to resolve quality concerns efficiently.

Why Work at Salem Metal?

• Our customers and our team members are the core of our business. We’re focused on the well-being of our team members, who utilize their skills every day to meet the needs of our customers.
• We serve many markets – Medical Equipment, Measurement & Test, Industrial, Electronics, Security, Manufacturing and more – with products that improve the human condition and quality of life.
• We accomplish our work with a people-first atmosphere, with a benefits and services package provided by our PEO (Professional Employer Organization), yet we operate with the agility and drive of a small company.
• Our company leadership is on site daily. SMI has been a proud supporter of our local community for more than 55 years.
• Our new custom-built 100,000 sf state-of-the art facility in Middleton, MA is a great working environment to be in, with ample room for growth. 5S and housekeeping are part of our culture of high-performance.
• SMI’s core values are Safety, Quality, Integrity, Accountability, Collaboration, and Continuous Improvement.
• We have top-quality equipment, machinery, and tools to work with. Build your skills, learn from our in-house experts and our partners, and advance your career.
• Company celebrations, recognition events, and an annual bonus are all part of the mix at Salem Metal, Inc. People make the difference on our team.