Quality Assurance Specialist

Minova; Georgetown (KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Minova is seeking a Quality Specialist in Georgetown, Kentucky. The successful candidate will lead plant-level quality assurance activities, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 standards. This role involves supervising Quality Technicians and partnering with various teams to resolve quality issues and enhance manufacturing processes. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and a minimum of five years of experience in quality assurance within a manufacturing environment. Strong communication, leadership, and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality assurance or quality control within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 standards and internal auditing processes.
• Experience conducting quality inspections and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant-level quality assurance activities and supervise Quality Technicians.
• Monitor manufacturing performance and resolve quality concerns.
• Develop and communicate plant quality performance metrics.

Skills

ISO 9001 standards

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Data-driven problem solving

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP/QMS platforms

Job description

The Quality Specialist is responsible for leading plant-level quality assurance activities to ensure products, manufacturing processes, and operational practices consistently meet established quality standards, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements. This role oversees the implementation and continuous improvement of the plant Quality Management System (QMS), supports compliance with ISO 9001 standards, and drives a proactive culture focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the facility.

The successful candidate will serve as a hands‑on quality leader within the manufacturing environment, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, and SHES teams to identify risks, resolve quality issues, improve process capability, and support operational excellence. This position also provides leadership and direction to Quality Technicians while utilizing data analysis, root cause investigation, auditing, and process monitoring to enhance product quality, reduce defects, and strengthen overall plant performance.

Plant Quality Operations

• Lead plant-level quality assurance activities across raw material inspection, in-process verification, and finished product evaluations to ensure compliance with established quality standards and specifications.
• Supervise and provide direction to Quality Technicians, ensuring consistent execution of inspection processes, testing procedures, documentation, and quality reporting requirements.
• Monitor manufacturing performance and quality trends to identify process variation, recurring defects, and operational risks impacting product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Partner closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to proactively resolve quality concerns and improve manufacturing performance.

Non-Conformance & Corrective Actions (CAPA)

• Lead plant non-conformance and corrective action activities, including containment, investigation, root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, and effectiveness verification.
• Drive timely resolution of quality issues utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis, and corrective action tracking systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to reduce recurring defects, improve process capability, and strengthen overall product quality performance.

Reporting & Communication

• Develop and communicate plant quality performance metrics, trends, audit findings, and improvement initiatives to plant leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Maintain visibility of key quality indicators including defect rates, scrap, rework, customer complaints, and process non-conformances.
• Escalate significant quality risks, compliance concerns, or production-related quality issues in a timely and professional manner.

Training & Quality Culture

• Lead and support the development of Quality Technicians and plant personnel through training, coaching, and reinforcement of quality standards and expectations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational quality ownership throughout the facility.
• Ensure employees understand inspection procedures, product requirements, traceability expectations, and non-conformance handling processes.

Safety, Health, Environment & Security (SHES)

• Promote and support a strong culture of safety, quality, and operational compliance throughout all plant activities.
• Ensure all quality activities and laboratory/testing procedures are conducted in accordance with company safety policies, regulatory requirements, and site SHES standards.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and SHES teams to identify, communicate, and mitigate safety and operational risks impacting employees, processes, or product quality.
• Participate in safety investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives related to quality or operational incidents.
• Maintain compliance with site PPE requirements and reinforce safe work practices within the Quality team and production environment.
• Support environmental and regulatory compliance efforts by ensuring proper handling, documentation, and disposition of non-conforming materials and quality-related records.
• Actively contribute to Minova’s commitment to zero harm, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across all plant operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Science, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred; equivalent manufacturing quality experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality assurance or quality control within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 standards, Quality Management Systems (QMS), internal auditing processes, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) systems.
• Experience conducting or supporting quality inspections, non-conformance investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality control methods, traceability practices, and process improvement principles.
• Experience utilizing quality tools and methodologies such as SPC, 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis, and data-driven problem solving.
• Ability to interpret technical documents, specifications, work instructions, and quality standards.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality-related systems or ERP/QMS platforms.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while managing multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous supervisory or leadership experience managing Quality Technicians or plant quality personnel.
• Experience participating in or leading internal, customer, and third‑party quality audits.
• Six Sigma Green Belt, ASQ certification, or other quality-related certifications preferred.
• Experience with digital quality systems, electronic documentation control, and manufacturing quality reporting tools.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies and Lean Manufacturing principles.