Quality Assurance Specialist

Vesuvius; Kentucky; On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Vesuvius is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to support manufacturing operations by ensuring products, processes, and quality systems meet customer requirements, company standards, and regulatory expectations. You will partner with cross-functional teams to improve product quality, reduce risk, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and experience in quality or manufacturing environments, strong analytical and communication skills, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in quality, manufacturing, technical, laboratory, or related business environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency with standard business software applications and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain compliance with the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Conduct audits of processes, products, and systems to verify conformance.
• Investigate quality issues and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Monitor quality performance metrics such as scrap, defects, and feedback.
• Collaborate with production, lab, engineering, maintenance, and supply chain teams.
• Develop, update, and control quality procedures and records.
• Support supplier quality improvement and review supplier corrective actions.
• Participate in continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and problem-solving initiatives.
• Assist in customer visits, audits, and certification activities.
• Provide training on quality expectations and best practices.
• Promote safety, quality, and operational excellence across the facility.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

Quality experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Data analysis tools

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Specialist supports manufacturing operations by ensuring products, processes, and quality systems consistently meet customer requirements, company standards, and regulatory expectations. This role partners with cross-functional teams to improve product quality, reduce risk, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and maintain compliance with the company Quality Management System (QMS).
• Conduct routine process, product, and system audits to verify conformance to established requirements.
• Investigate quality issues, customer complaints, and nonconforming products; lead root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Monitor and analyze quality performance metrics, including scrap, rework, defects, and customer feedback.
• Collaborate with production, laboratory, engineering, maintenance, and supply chain teams to resolve quality concerns.
• Assist in developing, updating, and controlling quality procedures, work instructions, and records.
• Support supplier quality improvement efforts and review supplier corrective actions.
• Participate in continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and problem-solving initiatives.
• Support customer visits, audits, and certification activities.
• Provide training and guidance on quality expectations, procedures, and best practices.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence throughout the facility.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience in quality, manufacturing, technical, laboratory, operations, or related business environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency with standard business software applications and data analysis tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional quality certifications or auditing experience.
• Experience working within a structured quality management system.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and quality tools.
• Experience supporting audits, investigations, and corrective action processes.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
• Regular walking throughout the facility and occasional standing for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally.
• Must be able to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hat, gloves, and steel-toe footwear.
• Frequent interaction with production, laboratory, maintenance, engineering, and management personnel.
• Exposure to manufacturing conditions, including dust, noise, heat, and moving equipment.
• Occasional travel to customer sites, suppliers, training events, or other company facilities as needed.
• Adherence to all company safety, environmental, and quality policies is required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vesuvius is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.