Quality Specialist

ARCH; Athol (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ARCH Cutting Tools - Athol, LLC is seeking a Quality Specialist to maintain the QMS and ensure product quality and ISO 9001 compliance on the manufacturing floor. The role supports continuous improvement, calibration management, and training, reporting to the Director of Operations.

The candidate will lead MRB activities, CAPA investigations, data-driven quality metrics, and collaboration across departments to uphold customer requirements and internal procedures.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems.
• Strong understanding of GD&T.
• Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate mechanical drawings, specifications, inspection instructions, and quality requirements.
• Ability to determine product conformity based on engineering and customer documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality-related documentation systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001 requirements.
• Promote quality awareness across departments and ensure regulatory and customer requirements are met.
• Support and participate in MRB activities and disposition of nonconforming material.
• Lead and support investigations, root cause analyses, and CAPA activities.
• Collect, analyze, and report quality metrics for management review.
• Assist with calibration program and equipment calibration records.
• Provide training on quality standards, procedures, and technical requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and maintain document control and records.

Skills

Quality Management Systems

GD&T

Read drawings

Conformity assessment

Analytical thinking

Communication

Independent work

MS Office / quality docs systems

Tools

Microsoft Office

Quality documentation systems

Job description

Athol
ARCH Cutting Tools - Athol, LLC
273 Main St
Lord Pond Plaza
Athol, MA 01331, USA

Athol
ARCH Cutting Tools - Athol, LLC
273 Main St
Lord Pond Plaza
Athol, MA 01331, USA

The Quality Specialist reports directly to the Director of Operations and is responsible for supporting and maintaining the company's Quality Management System (QMS) while ensuring product quality, accuracy, and compliance with ISO 9001 standards, customer requirements, and internal procedures. This position plays a key role in driving continuous improvement, supporting manufacturing operations, and fostering a culture of quality throughout the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ensure adherence to Quality Management System (QMS) requirements in accordance with ISO 9001 standards and company procedures.
• Promote quality awareness across all departments and reinforce regulatory and customer requirements.
• Maintain a visible and active presence on the manufacturing floor to support quality initiatives and process compliance.
• Coordinate and facilitate Material Review Board (MRB) activities, including documentation and disposition of nonconforming material.
• Perform and support process capability studies to meet customer and internal requirements.
• Assist in the preparation, execution, and documentation of Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) activities for new and revised equipment.
• Lead and support investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities for internal and customer-related quality issues.
• Collect, analyze, and report quality metrics to support customer requirements and management review activities.
• Assist with employee training programs related to quality standards, procedures, and technical requirements.
• Administer and maintain the equipment calibration system, including scheduling, tracking, and documentation.
• Serve as a backup for final inspection activities as needed.
• Manage quality documentation, including document control, revision management, filing structures, and electronic record retention.
• Maintain ownership of assigned document pathways, folders, and controlled records.
• Provide support and backup coverage for purchasing and order entry functions as required.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems.
• Strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate mechanical drawings, specifications, inspection instructions, and quality requirements.
• Ability to determine product conformity based on engineering and customer documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality-related documentation systems.
• Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with employees at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a calibration program and performing equipment calibration.
• Experience with corrective action systems, root cause analysis methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
• Experience in manufacturing, machining, metal fabrication, or precision manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and document control software.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and sit.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Notes

ARCH Cutting Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employee and wholeheartedly supports diversity in the workplace as a basic premise for business success. All employees of ARCH Cutting Tools are employed on an at-will basis.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Advanced

Reading and Interpreting Drawings with GD&T

Advanced

Attention to Detail

Advanced

Behaviors

Preferred

Detail Oriented

Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

:

Motivations

Preferred

Self-Starter

Inspired to perform without outside help

Ability to Make an Impact

Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

:

Education

Experience

Required

Ability to determine product conformity based on engineering and customer documentation

Strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems

Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer
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.