Continuous Improvement & Quality Manager 📍 Grand Rapids, MI | Onsite | $120K–$140 K + Bonus Confidential Employer – Manufacturing Industry
Overview:
A well-established manufacturing company in the coatings and adhesives sector is seeking a Continuous Improvement & Quality Manager to lead plant-wide quality initiatives, oversee a 3-person quality lab team, and act as the right hand to the Plant Manager. This role will drive sustainable improvements in product quality, operational efficiency, and safety using structured problem-solving and Lean tools. This opportunity is ideal for a proactive, hands-on engineer or manager with experience in automotive standards (IATF 16949), Kaizen leadership, and process-driven environments. The company operates a 24/5 production facility with 50+ employees and supplies the automotive industry.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead all aspects of quality assurance and improvement across the plant.
Manage and train three Quality Control Technicians (1 per shift).
Own calibration and readiness of all quality testing and production instrumentation.
Conduct internal audits and ensure compliance with applicable quality systems (ISO 9000, IATF 16949).
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
Train production staff on quality standards and SOP adherence.
Partner with plant leadership to reduce nonconforming product and improve on-hold inventory controls.
Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, Lean manufacturing projects, and Six Sigma initiatives.
Analyze plant data to identify trends and prioritize continuous improvement opportunities.
Serve as a key voice in customer complaint resolution and quality-related communication.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field (required).
10+ years of progressive experience in quality or manufacturing leadership roles.
Experience in coatings, adhesives, mixing, drying, or web converting processes preferred.
Proven knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and other Quality Management Systems.
Demonstrated success using Lean, Kaizen, or Six Sigma to drive measurable improvement.
Excellent communication, organizational, and project leadership skills.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (no sponsorship).
Local candidates only – no relocation provided.
Why This Role? This is a high-impact role reporting directly to the Plant Manager, with significant influence across production, quality, and engineering. You’ll join a stable, multi-site manufacturer with long-standing industry presence, fast decision-making, and a strong operations team. Ideal for someone ready to step into a plant #2 role and own quality and improvement from the ground up.