Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Manager

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain product specifications, work instructions, and inspection plans for CLT panels, glulam, and related mass timber products.

• Oversee incoming inspection of lumber, adhesives, fasteners, and other critical raw materials; manage vendor quality requirements and nonconforming material.

• Establish and monitor in-process and final inspection criteria for pressing, curing, machining, finishing, and packaging operations.

• Manage product testing plans (e.g., mechanical testing, bond-line performance, dimensional tolerances, moisture content , surface quality).

• Ensure compliance with applicable product standards, building codes, and certification body requirements (e.g., third-party certification agencies, audit programs).

• Maintain and update quality manuals, procedures, and records required for certifications and regulatory inspections.

• Coordinate and support third-party audits, certification audits, customer audits, and internal audits; develop and track corrective actions.

• Develop, implement, and maintain a facility-wide Quality Management System (QMS), preferably aligned with ISO 9001 or similar standards.

• Own document control: versioning of procedures, work instructions, inspection forms, and test reports.

• Implement and oversee traceability systems for CLT production (batch records, press records, adhesive lot tracking, lumber grading, and panel IDs).

• Manage nonconformance, deviation, and concession processes, including root cause analysis and disposition (rework, repair, scrap, or acceptance).

• Define critical process parameters (e.g., moisture content ranges, press pressure/time/temperature, adhesive spread rates) and implement control plans and monitoring.

• Analyze process and quality data to identify trends, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities; drive corrective and preventive actions.

• Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts using tools such as 5-Why, Fishbone, and FMEA, focusing on yield improvement and defect reduction.

• Collaborate with Engineering and Operations to qualify new materials, equipment, and process changes through structured trials and validation plans.

• Oversee operation and maintenance of on-site quality lab and test equipment (press logs, moisture meters, load/deflection test rigs, bond-line test setups, gauges).

• Develop test schedules, sampling plans, and protocols; ensure calibration and verification of measurement equipment.

• Train technicians and operators in proper sample preparation, testing, and data recording procedures.

• Review and approve product quality documentation for customer submittals (e.g., mill certificates, test reports, compliance statements).

• Support Sales, Engineering, and Project Management teams with technical quality information, project-specific requirements, and customer RFIs.

• Lead investigation and resolution of customer complaints and field issues, including site visits as needed and implementation of preventive actions.

• Lead and develop QA/QC staff (inspectors, technicians, document control) to ensure consistent application of standards.

• Provide training and coaching to production and maintenance teams on quality standards, inspection techniques, defect recognition, and documentation.

• Promote a quality-first culture, emphasizing defect prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement at all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (civil, structural, mechanical, wood science), Quality Management, or related technical field; equivalent experience considered.

• 5+ years of quality assurance/quality control experience in manufacturing; experience in wood products, mass timber, CLT, glulam, or building materials strongly preferred.

• Experience working with product standards, certification programs, and regulatory bodies relevant to structural wood products.

• Strong understanding of timber properties, lumber grading, adhesive and bonding behavior, moisture management, and structural performance of CLT/mass timber products.

• Familiarity with building codes and standards applicable to mass timber structures.

• Experience with QMS frameworks (e.g., ISO 9001) and audit processes.

• Proficient in statistical quality tools (SPC, capability analysis, sampling plans), root cause analysis, and problem-solving methods.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills; attention to detail and accuracy.

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work across functions and with external stakeholders.

• Proficiency in office and quality software (e.g., spreadsheets, databases, QMS/LIMS systems, CAD/model review helpful).

• Hands-on, shop-floor presence with a collaborative mindset.

• Data-driven, methodical, and decisive under time pressure.

• Comfortable operating in a growing facility where systems and processes are evolving.