In 1989, Wikoff’s first continual improvement department was established, adopting a Total Quality Management approach. Over the years, the department has matured and expanded its vision to include not only oversight of the quality management system, but also training programs and employee safety while adopting other improvement methodologies such as lean and six sigma.
Position Overview:
The QA/QC Manager is responsible for leading Wikoff’s Quality Management System and quality control operations across all manufacturing plants and U.S. sites. This role ensures products, processes, laboratories, and quality records consistently meet internal standards, customer specifications, ISO 9001 requirements, and applicable regulatory obligations. The QA/QC Manager leads QC Team Leaders and QC Technicians across the network, drives standardization of testing and product release practices, and strengthens quality performance through effective audits, corrective actions, training, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own, maintain, and continuously improve Wikoff’s Quality Management System in alignment with ISO 9001 requirements
- Lead internal audits, external audit preparation, Management Review, corrective actions, and ongoing audit readiness
- Manage QC Team Leaders and QC Technicians across manufacturing plants and U.S. sites
- Standardize laboratory practices, test methods, equipment requirements, documentation, and product release controls across the network
- Oversee customer complaints, internal non-conformances, root cause investigations, and corrective and preventive actions
- Establish clear controls for product testing, approval, release, hold, rework, rejection, and deviation management
- Monitor quality KPIs, identify recurring trends, and implement corrective actions to improve product and process performance
- Partner with Manufacturing, R&D, Technical Services, Customer Success, Procurement, and Supply Chain to resolve quality issues and prevent recurrence
- Develop QC competency standards, training requirements, cross-training plans, and succession coverage across all locations
- Ensure laboratory equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, documented, and fit for purpose
Key Deliverables:
- ISO 9001 certification maintained with consistent audit readiness across the organization
- Standardized QMS processes, laboratory practices, testing methods, and product release controls implemented across all sites
- Improved first-pass quality and year-over-year reduction in customer complaints, internal non-conformances, rework, and quality-related waste
- Corrective actions, audit findings, and customer complaint investigations completed within established timelines
- Quality KPIs and reporting dashboard implemented with clear site-level accountability and escalation
- QC competency, qualification, cross-training, and succession plans established across the network
- Accurate, compliant, and audit-ready quality and laboratory documentation maintained across all locations
Reporting Structure:
- Reports To: Director of Operations Services
- Direct Reports: QC Team Leaders, QC Technicians and Quality Support Personnel
Educational Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Quality Management, Engineering, or related technical field required
- ISO 9001 Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor certification strongly preferred
- Quality certification such as CQE, CMQ/OE, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent preferred
Required Experience:
- 7–10 years of progressive quality assurance or quality control experience within a manufacturing environment
- 3–5 years of experience leading quality teams, laboratories, or multi-site QC operations
- Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, quality management systems, auditing, corrective action, and Management Review requirements
- Experience managing customer complaints, non-conformances, root cause investigations, CAPA, and quality improvement activities
- Experience standardizing laboratory testing, calibration, product specifications, documentation, and release controls
- Manufacturing experience within inks, coatings, chemicals, specialty materials, or another batch-processing environment strongly preferred
- Proven ability to lead distributed teams and influence plant and site leadership across multiple locations
- Strong analytical, communication, problem-solving, and performance management skills
- Ability to travel regularly across Wikoff manufacturing plants and U.S. sites
This company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
