Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager

Description

Summary

The Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager will work with internal customers to lead the ongoing improvement of our Cherry Valley, IL and Souderton, PA operations. This leader will be responsible for improving the operational effectiveness of Ipsen Manufacturing, scoping and executing improvement initiatives to reduce waste and improve overall product quality. In addition to process improvement efforts, this leader will also lead the warranty and documentation group to allow for full control over quality and continuous improvement within Ipsen.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an overall strategy to improve the overall quality within Ipsen operations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the organization’s QMS
• Ensure compliance with standards like ISO 9001, Six Sigma, Lean, or other relevant quality standards and regulations.
• Conduct internal audits to ensure adherence to quality procedures and standards.
• Lead or facilitate process improvement initiatives using methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or Total Quality Management (TQM).
• Analyze current business processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Implement changes that lead to quality enhancement, cost reduction, and productivity increase.
• Gather, analyze, and interpret quality data to make informed decisions about quality control and improvement.
• Prepare and present reports on quality metrics, improvement projects, and compliance issues to senior management.
• Train employees on quality standards, processes, and methodologies.
• Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Mentor and coach teams in quality improvement techniques.
• Monitor customer feedback and satisfaction levels to identify areas for improvement.
• Work closely with customer service, sales, and production teams to ensure customer requirements are met or exceeded.
• Work with various departments to integrate quality into all aspects of business operations.
• Lead or participate in cross-functional teams aimed at improving quality across the organization.
• Stay updated with the latest quality tools, technologies, and management philosophies.
• Introduce innovative quality practices to keep the organization at the forefront of industry standards.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, domestically and internationally as needed.
• Deep understanding of ISO standards, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Total Quality Management (TQM), or other quality frameworks relevant to the industry.
• Understanding of statistics and data analysis techniques used in quality control, including control charts, process capability analysis, and design of experiments.
• Insights into how quality impacts different aspects of business operations from production to customer service.
• Ability to analyze data to identify trends, issues, and areas for improvement.
• Strong capability in root cause analysis, problem identification, and solution implementation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for training, reporting, and collaboration across departments.
• Skills to lead quality teams, motivate employees, and drive change management.
• Ability to work with and influence people at all levels of the organization, including managing supplier relationships.
• Proficiency in planning, executing, and closing projects aimed at quality improvement.
• Ability to facilitate workshops, Kaizen events, or continuous improvement sessions.
• Ability to adapt to new quality tools, methodologies, and changing regulatory environments.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure quality standards are met in all processes.
• Ability to think critically to evaluate information and make reasoned decisions.
• Capability to work in a team environment, fostering cooperation among different departments for quality initiatives.
• An aptitude for creative problem-solving and introducing innovative quality practices.
• Efficient in managing multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in quality, business, engineering, marketing, or technical discipline required.
• Master’s degree in quality management, Business Administration (MBA with a focus on Operations or Quality), or Engineering Management preferred.
• Lean or Six Sigma Certification (Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt) preferred
• Certified Quality Manager (CQM) or Certified Quality Engineer (C