Ceramic Materials Quality & Lab Supervisor

Lead Quality at the Heart of Ceramic Innovation

Reports to: Director of Operations

Founded in 1919, American Art Clay Company (AMACO) is a fourth-generation, family-owned leader in ceramic materials, glazes, kilns, and wheels. Our purpose is simple and powerful: make it easier and safer for people of all ages to create. We believe creativity fuels well-being and strengthens communities, and we operate with a culture of continuous improvement from the factory floor to the executive suite.

A day in this role

You start your morning in the quality lab, confirming instrument calibration and reviewing overnight SPC charts from production. By mid-morning you’re mentoring a technician on a newly validated test method, then walking the line to verify CTQ checks are executed consistently across shifts. After lunch, you lead root-cause analysis on an in-process nonconformance flagged by Supplier Quality, translate attribute criteria into measurable limits, and partner with Production to implement a sustainable fix. You close the day by updating the training matrix, prepping for a Gemba review, and aligning schedules and KPIs with your team.

What you will lead

• Quality lab excellence: Build and sustain a fully capable lab; validate methods, calibrate equipment, standardize data capture, and train staff.
• Process stabilization: Define baseline parameters, lock in fundamentals, and drive consistency across shifts and departments (formulated lab, mechanical, shipping, and manufacturing).
• In-process controls: Ensure CTQ specifications are verified using the right methods and tools during inspections.
• Issue ownership: Lead investigations and corrective actions for in-process issues raised by Supplier Quality; deliver durable countermeasures with Production.
• Quality system rollout: Implement the Amaco and Brent Quality System; create standardized test protocols (TWI), maintain training matrices, and use data to recommend improvements.
• Continuous improvement: Conduct audits, facilitate Kaizen and A3 problem solving, and report outcomes during Gemba walks and virtual reviews.
• Team leadership: Set objectives, handle scheduling and reviews, coach on quality and ceramics fundamentals, resolve employee issues, and coordinate scrap controls, inventory accuracy, and safety audits.

How success will be measured

• Noticeable reductions in in-process defects, scrap, and customer complaints.
• Consistent application of CTQ specs and prompt resolution of discrepancies.
• Improved stability and repeatability of key processes across all shifts.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Ceramics, Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Technology, or equivalent (Associate’s plus substantial experience considered).
• 5–7+ years leading quality teams, preferably with significant lab supervision.
• Hands-on experience building a Quality System and authoring/standardizing quality standards, including converting attribute criteria into numeric limits.
• Working knowledge of ceramic chemistry, materials testing, and mechanical processes; proven ability to stand up and stabilize a quality lab.
• ISO 9001, SPC, and problem-solving (DMAIC, A3, 5-Why); familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma (Green Belt preferred) and Minitab.
• ERP/QMS exposure (NAV, Business Central or SAP) and strong documentation and communication skills.
• Proficiency with SOPs, Manufacturing Instructions (MI), Kaizen, and people leadership.

Work environment, schedule, and travel

• Full-time, Monday–Friday, 40+ hours; occasional evenings/weekends as needed.
• Up to 20% travel.
• Work may require extended standing, heavy lifting, and time in hot or cold areas.

Physical demands

Regularly talk and hear; frequently stand, walk, use hands, and reach. Occasionally sit, climb/balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Frequently lift and/or move up to 50+ pounds. Vision needs include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Legal and equal opportunity

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

EEO Statement:

AMACO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: AMACO is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AMACO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the location where we operate. AMACO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.