Quality Laboratory Manager
The Quality & Laboratory Manager is responsible for leading all quality assurance, quality control, laboratory testing, calibration, ISO compliance, continuous improvement, and technical quality systems within a magnesia-carbon refractory manufacturing facility. The position ensures that all raw materials, work-in-process products, and finished refractory products meet established specifications, customer requirements, and applicable quality standards.
This role provides leadership for laboratory operations, testing programs, statistical process control, measurement system analysis, calibration systems, ISO 9001 compliance, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives. The position serves as the primary quality representative during customer audits, certification audits, and supplier qualification activities.
Duties
- Maintain and continuously improve the facility Quality Management System (QMS).
- Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 requirements and other applicable industry standards.
- Manage document control, record retention, and revision control systems.
- Lead internal audits and coordinate external certification audits.
- Manage corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs.
- Monitor quality objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Conduct management review activities and prepare quality performance reports.
- Ensure compliance with customer-specific quality requirements.
- Direct daily operations of chemical and physical testing laboratories.
- Establish and maintain laboratory procedures and work instructions.
- Ensure testing is performed according to approved methods and standards.
- Supervise laboratory technicians and quality personnel.
- Review and approve laboratory reports and certificates of analysis.
- Maintain laboratory safety programs and housekeeping standards.
- Manage and verify testing programs: Cold Crushing Strength, Modulus of Rupture, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity, XRF Chemical Analysis, LECO Carbon/Sulfur Analysis, Particle Size Analysis, Loss on Ignition, Moisture Analysis, Raw Material Qualification Testing, Slag Analysis, Carbon and Graphite Characterization.