Quality Assurance Supervisor

Hardin Optical Company; Bandon (OR); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Hardin Optical Company seeks a hands-on Quality Assurance Supervisor to oversee plant-wide quality activities and support the effectiveness of the QMS.

The role leads QA teams across multiple product groups, collaborates with Operations, and maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification while promoting a culture of quality on the production floor.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or related field.
• At least three years of progressive quality assurance experience in manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience supporting internal, customer, or third-party audits.
• Experience with CAPA, root-cause analysis, nonconforming material, and document control.
• Previous supervisory, team-lead, or project-lead experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead maintenance of ISO 9001:2015 certification, including preparation for audits.
• Oversee and continuously improve the plant-wide QMS.
• Coordinate internal audits, CAPA, document control, training, supplier qualification, and customer quality requirements.
• Supervise QA teams across multiple product groups and provide coaching.
• Collaborate with Operations and other departments to strengthen quality ownership.
• Develop and monitor quality KPIs and drive data-based improvements.

Skills

Quality Assurance

CAPA

Root Cause Analysis

Audits

Supervisory

Document Control

Data Analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or Associate in Quality/Engineering/Manufacturing/Business

Job description

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site (No Remote Option)

Direct Reports: 2–10, depending on experience

Position Summary

Hardin Optical Company is seeking a hands-on Quality Assurance Supervisor to oversee plant-wide quality activities and support the continued effectiveness of our Quality Management System (QMS).

This position leads Quality Assurance teams supporting multiple optical manufacturing product groups. The Quality Assurance Supervisor works closely with Operations and other departments to maintain ISO 9001:2015 certification, strengthen quality processes, resolve product and process concerns, and promote consistent product quality and customer satisfaction.

The ideal candidate combines strong QMS knowledge with practical manufacturing problem-solving skills. This role requires a visible, engaged supervisor who is comfortable working directly with production teams and building a culture in which quality is understood as a plant-wide responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management System and Compliance

• Lead the maintenance of ISO 9001:2015 certification, including preparation for annual certification and surveillance audits.
• Oversee and continuously improve the plant-wide QMS.
• Coordinate internal audits, CAPA, document control, quality training, training matrices, supplier qualification, quality meetings, Management Business Reviews, PO contract reviews, and flow-down of customer quality requirements.
• Oversee processes for customer-owned property, post-production review, nonconforming material, Material Review Board activities, waiver requests, and Return Material Authorizations.
• Ensure quality procedures, records, and documentation remain accurate, effective, and aligned with customer and business requirements.

Quality Leadership and Operations

• Supervise Quality Assurance teams supporting multiple product groups.
• Assign work, establish priorities, provide coaching, and support employee performance and development.
• Partner with Operations to strengthen quality ownership and accountability throughout the plant.
• Participate regularly in Gemba walks to identify emerging concerns and support timely corrective action.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Inspection, Manufacturing, Engineering, Maintenance, and Machine Shop teams on quality improvements.
• Promote early identification of quality concerns and incorporate lessons learned into processes to prevent recurrence.

Quality Data and Continuous Improvement

• Establish reliable processes for collecting, analyzing, and reporting quality data.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, recurring defects, process weaknesses, and emerging risks.
• Develop and maintain meaningful quality KPIs and performance metrics.
• Communicate quality trends to production departments.
• Coordinate measurable action plans and monitor their completion and effectiveness.
• Use data to support fact-based decision-making and continuous improvement.

Corrective and Preventive Action

• Coach CAPA owners in root-cause analysis, structured problem-solving, and corrective and preventive action.
• Ensure failure investigations follow established procedures.
• Confirm actions are properly validated, documented, implemented, and reviewed for effectiveness.
• Conduct or support analyses of defective products and materials.
• Coordinate appropriate containment, disposition, and corrective action for significant quality concerns.

Product and Customer Quality

• Maintain processes that ensure products meet required specifications for quality, function, and reliability before shipment.
• Work with customers and internal stakeholders to investigate and resolve concerns involving delivered products.
• Collaborate with leadership, Engineering, and senior production personnel to establish appropriate quality standards.
• Identify and address quality risks before they affect delivery or the customer.

Data Pack Management

• Oversee the end-to-end data pack process, including assembly, verification, approval, and shipment.
• Ensure data packs are accurate, complete, timely, and compliant with customer requirements.
• Simplify and standardize the process to reduce errors and shipment delays.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least three years of progressive quality assurance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience supporting internal, customer, or third-party audits.
• Experience with CAPA, root-cause analysis, nonconforming material, and document control.
• Previous supervisory, team-lead, or project-lead experience.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and quality documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work on-site and maintain an active presence on the production floor.

Preferred

• Experience in precision optics, optical coatings, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or another high-precision manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of optical fabrication, coating, inspection, or metrology processes.
• Experience with Material Review Boards, customer waivers, RMAs, supplier quality, or customer-required data packages.
• Training or certification in quality auditing, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or structured root-cause analysis.
• Experience developing quality dashboards, KPIs, or data-reporting systems.

The successful candidate will

• Be visible and engaged on the production floor.
• Balance QMS discipline with practical manufacturing solutions.
• Address concerns early and follow them through resolution.
• Provide clear expectations, coaching, and accountability.
• Communicate effectively with production employees, leadership, customers, and auditors.
• Promote quality as a shared responsibility across the organization.

Export-Control Requirement and ITAR Eligibility

This position requires access to information or items regulated by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must qualify as a “U.S. Person” as defined by ITAR, 22 CFR §120.62. This includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain protected individuals as defined by federal law.

Hardin Optical Company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to legally protected characteristics.