The Quality Technician Lead is responsible for providing daily leadership to the Quality Technician team while performing quality control checks across all departments to ensure products meet company standards and customer requirements. This role conducts routine and advanced inspections, performs laboratory testing, and supports troubleshooting of quality issues throughout the facility. The Quality Technician Lead develops, updates, and maintains work instructions and SOPs and is responsible for training employees on quality procedures, inspection methods, and best practices. Acting as the primary on-floor quality resource, this position helps maintain consistent quality performance, supports continuous improvement efforts, and ensures compliance with safety, documentation, and regulatory requirements.

1. Leadership & Team Support

· Provide daily direction and guidance to Quality Technicians.

· Assign inspection tasks and ensure proper coverage across all production areas.

· Mentor and support team members to maintain consistent and accurate quality performance.

· Act as the primary on-floor quality resource for problem-solving.

2. Quality Control Inspections

· Perform inspections and quality checks across all departments, including receiving, production, packaging, and warehouse.

· Verify products meet specifications, tolerances, and visual/functional standards.

· Document non-conformances and assist with corrective actions.

· Support production teams when quality issues arise.

3. Laboratory Testing

· Conduct required lab tests including physical property testing, material analysis, and sample evaluations.

· Calibrate and maintain lab instruments and testing equipment.

· Record and report test data accurately for traceability.

4. ERP System Use & Data Collection

· Collect and enter quality data into the company’s ERP system accurately and on time.

· Review data trends, inspection results, and lab findings to identify potential issues.

· Generate quality reports from the ERP system to support audits, meetings, and continuous improvement efforts.

· Maintain accurate digital records of inspections, test results, and corrective actions.

5. Training & Skill Development

· Train employees across all departments on quality procedures, inspection techniques, and documentation requirements.

· Provide refresher training to maintain consistency in quality practices.

· Support new employee onboarding for quality-related tasks.

6. Documentation, SOPs & Work Instructions

· Create, update, and maintain WIs, SOPs, forms, and quality documentation.

· Ensure all instructions reflect current processes and regulatory requirements.

· Help audit documentation for accuracy and compliance.

7. Meetings & Quality Communication

· Prepare materials, data, and reports for quality-related meetings.

· Lead or support daily, weekly, or project-specific QC meetings with production, packaging, and other departments.

· Communicate quality trends, issues, and improvement opportunities clearly and professionally.

· Support cross-functional discussions on corrective actions and process improvements.

8. Continuous Improvement & Audits

· Participate in root-cause analysis, CAPA processes, and improvement projects.

· Identify recurring quality issues and recommend solutions.

· Assist with internal audits and help prepare for external audits or customer visits.

9. Safety & Compliance

· Follow all safety, PPE, chemical handling, and lab safety procedures.

· Report and help correct unsafe conditions.

· Ensure all inspections and testing follow company and regulatory requirements.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE 

1. Proven experience in quality assurance or quality control within a manufacturing environment.

2. Strong analytical skills with attention to detail for identifying defects or non-conformance in products.

3. Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

4. Ability to perform under pressure while maintaining high standards of accuracy and efficiency.

5. A proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to continuous improvement in quality processes.

6. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (e.g., formulas, formatting, sorting/filtering, basic functions like VLOOKUP or pivot tables)