Quality Lab Manager – Cement, Lead Quality & Growth

Ash Grove Cement Company; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Disability Pay

Life Insurance

Growth Opportunities and more!

Job summary

Ash Grove Cement Company is seeking a Quality Manager to supervise the plant laboratory and quality control activities across our cement manufacturing operations. You will oversee assay procedures, data analysis, and reporting to ensure consistent cement quality from raw materials to finished product.

The role demands strong leadership, safety focus, and deep knowledge of ASTM/AASHTO standards, with responsibilities extending to equipment calibration and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 year/bachelor's Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of expereince as Assistant Chief Chemist or similiar position in a cement manufacturing or related industry.
• Preferred 3 years of supervisory experience in a lab or related industry.
• Proficient in problem-solving skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to build a team, lead a team, and work with groups or contractors
• Proficient in English written, verbal communication, and listening skills.
• Extensive knowledge of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and geology
• Knowledge of the cement manufacturing process, ASTM standards, AASHTO standards, and quality control procedures are taken in production operations
• Ability to use a computer to store data and generate reports
• Ability to follow specific instructions and guidelines
• Ability to refer to the manager when clarification or interpretation of organizational policy
• Ability to exercise direct supervision over all laboratory personnel at the plant

Responsibilities

• Promote and follow all plant safety guidelines.
• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Ensures efficient plant quality control procedures. Monitors quality control and collaborates with plant management regarding current quality control status and actions needed for improving product quality.
• Establishes, communicates, and assigns job responsibilities to plant laboratory employees.
• Provides indirect supervision over plant personnel affecting product quality or control of production processes. In addition, supervises and evaluates the job performance of laboratory personnel.
• Establishes technical director and sales department the cement quality control parameters needed to be competitive in the marketplace.
• Reviews and interprets cement and other raw material research data stored in the lab computer.
• Calculates and reviews daily production activities and results.
• Supervises and ensures test procedures are conducted according to established standards and guidelines.
• Maintains continual awareness of changes in the production process and evaluates their impact on the quality of the product. Recommends processing changes.
• Generates instructions for setting and adjusting equipment to make raw meals and cement to obtain a uniform quality. Establishes laboratory quality control parameters for slurry, clinker, and cement.
• Confers regularly with other department managers regarding quality control issues such as harvesting raw material to obtain the desired mix, optimum utilization of raw material, production scheduling, and mill grinding.
• Assumes responsibility for the overall safety of the plant lab and conducts safety meetings for lab personnel regularly as specified by management.
• Monitors daily inventory of cement, process additives and chemicals, and other raw materials as assigned by management.
• Orders lab equipment, meets with vendors and ensures proper repairs, maintenance, and calibration of existing lab equipment.
• Attends various plant meetings and training sessions to interact and consult with other department managers regarding plant operations.
• Investigates alternate raw material sources, fuels, and alternate suppliers of grinding aid.
• Attends professional education workshops and seminars to keep cement research and chemistry updated. Through publications, memos, and professional organization, maintains knowledge of changes in American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications.
• Assumes and performs the responsibilities of Radiation Safety Officer. Participates in air quality inspections and associated air permit responsibilities.
• Maintains ASSHTO accreditation, which includes quarterly, biannual, and yearly file audits and an internal audit process of testing methods executed in the lab.

Skills

Problem solving

Decision making

Team leadership

English communication

Computer literacy

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation knowledge

Job description

Ash Grove Cement Company is seeking a Quality Manager to supervise the plant laboratory and quality control activities across our cement manufacturing operations. You will oversee assay procedures, data analysis, and reporting to ensure consistent cement quality from raw materials to finished product.

The role demands strong leadership, safety focus, and deep knowledge of ASTM/AASHTO standards, with responsibilities extending to equipment calibration and process improvements.