Step into a Hands-On QC Leadership Role
At AMACO—an innovator in ceramic materials and equipment since 1919—you’ll help uphold the quality behind products trusted by makers and educators. We’re a family-owned company that believes art builds skills and well-being. Our teams value safety, quality, customer care, teamwork, respect, learning, and continuous improvement.
Is this you?
- A leader who can set the daily plan, coach a small mechanical QA team, and roll up your sleeves.
- A metrology pro who thrives on micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, bore gages, and height gages.
- A problem-solver who uses SPC, A3, fishbone diagrams, and 5 Whys to get to root cause fast.
- Someone who can balance stringent quality with the steady shipment of net good product.
What you’ll own
- Daily direction for Mechanical QA: scheduling, tasking, and priority-setting.
- Quarantine of suspect materials, NAV entries, and physical disposition.
- Conformance to safety and quality procedures.
- Participation in new product runoffs, process changes, and validations.
- Dock audits and incoming inspection of mechanical materials.
- Monthly QC Hold inventory reconciliation.
- Virtual and real-time Gemba reporting for Mechanical QA.
- Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Root cause analysis on nonconforming material.
- Creation and interpretation of inspection reports.
- Training teammates on hand gages and measurement techniques.
- Contribution to A3 problem solving (fishbone, 5 Why, and other tools).
- Development and enhancement of work instructions and TWI.
- Support to Shipping on QA-related tasks and reports.
- MSA activities, including Gage R&R and capability analysis.
- Data analysis and reporting via Excel and PowerPoint.
- Cross-departmental training support.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Strengths that set you up for success
- Effective leadership with the ability to delegate and stay hands-on.
- Knowledge of quality policies, procedures, and measurement equipment.
- Comfort with SPC and statistics.
- Continuous learning mindset around quality best practices.
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Strong organization, documentation, and attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; customer-service oriented.
- Independent and collaborative decision-making within scope.
- Time management and multitasking abilities; adaptable to change.
Background we’re looking for
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- 3+ years of quality experience or training.
- 4+ years of related manufacturing experience.
- Preferred: Measurement analysis; knowledge of paint defects; familiarity with electrical motors.
- Preferred: End-user experience with pottery wheels and slab rollers.
Work setting
Mechanical environment with frequent exposure to fumes/airborne particles, moving parts, and vibration; noise can be loud.
Physical capability
Regular talking/hearing; frequent standing, walking, fine manipulation, handling/feeling, and reaching. Frequent sitting; climbing/balancing; bending/squatting, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Frequently carry, push, or pull medium weights and lift and/or move up to 75+ pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
Schedule, travel, and reporting
- Full-time, Monday–Thursday, 40+ hours/week; occasional overtime as needed.
- No travel is expected.
- Reports to: In-Process Supervisor
Legal & Compliance
**Classification: **
Salary Non-Exempt
***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.
Note
Responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.