Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager

Bradford & Bigelow, Inc; Newburyport (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Newburyport is seeking a proactive Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager to enhance product quality and operational efficiency. The role involves maintaining ISO 9001 certification, implementing Lean initiatives, and engaging with frontline teams to drive continuous improvement. Ideal candidates will have a strong technical background and hands-on leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in quality management and maintaining ISO 9001 standards.
• Hands-on experience with Lean methodology, Six Sigma, and 5S implementation.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain ISO 9001 certification, ensuring compliance and audit standards.
• Lead and implement Lean initiatives, 5S, and process improvement programs.
• Spend meaningful time on the production floor, collaborating with operators.

Skills

Quality Management

Lean Methodology

Data Analysis

Leadership

Education

Technical or Engineering Background

Tools

Excel

Data Visualization Tools

Job description

Position Summary:

We are seeking a proactive and driven Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager to lead our efforts in elevating product quality and operational efficiency. This role is responsible for owning and maintaining ISO 9001 certification processes, enhancing quality control systems, and driving continuous improvement initiatives on the shop floor. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background, hands-on leadership experience, and a passion for embedding quality and efficiency into daily operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Quality Management (ISO 9001 & G7 Certification)

• Own and maintain ISO 9001 certification, ensuring all processes meet compliance and audit standards.
• Oversee and sustain G7 Certification for color management and process control, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
• Lead product quality control systems and standardization across operations.
• Monitor and analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to quality, aligning with business objectives and customer expectations.
• Conduct regular internal audits to identify gaps, drive corrective actions, and ensure compliance with quality management systems (QMS).

Continuous Improvement (Lean, Six Sigma, and 5S)

• Lead and implement Lean initiatives, 5S, and process improvement programs to optimize operations.
• Work directly on the shop floor to observe, analyze, and improve processes—not just from a spreadsheet, but in real time with production teams.
• Utilize data and root cause analysis to prioritize impactful changes and corrective actions.
• Train and engage operators and supervisors on Lean tools and problem-solving techniques.
• Develop a culture of continuous improvement, empowering frontline teams to own quality and efficiency.

Shop Floor Engagement

• Spend meaningful time on the production floor, collaborating with operators to stabilize and enhance quality processes.
• Foster strong working relationships with frontline teams to drive accountability and improvement.
• Championing a safety-first mindset in all quality and improvement initiatives.

Experience Required:

• Proven track record in quality management and maintaining ISO 9001 standards.
• Hands-on experience with Lean methodology, Six Sigma, and 5S implementation.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis (Excel, data visualization tools).
• Technical or engineering background preferred.
• Experience in printing, manufacturing, or industrial environments is a significant plus.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and drive projects to completion.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to engage with both frontline teams and senior leadership.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Certification.
• Familiarity with environmental compliance (FSC, SFI certifications).
• Experience leading cross-functional projects with measurable impact.

Growth Potential:

This role has the potential to evolve into Production Management for candidates who demonstrate leadership, process ownership, and impactful change management.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification. Equal employment opportunities include, but are not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, demotion, transfer, leaves of absence, and termination. The Company takes allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation seriously, and will promptly investigate when such behavior is reported.