Quality Supervisor

Be yourself at Protolabs

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace. So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!

You can help make our company even better. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself. We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.

Why Protolabs? We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.

It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.

The Quality Supervisor will lead on‑site day‑to‑day work activities of the QC team. They will established quality practices across the team while responsible for the inspection of parts produced in the factory. The Quality Control Supervisor will also identify and collaborate with peers and direct reports to implement continuous improvement opportunities both within the inspection areas and throughout the factory.

Monday - Friday

• Lead quality inspectors and technician to create, improve and execute visual and dimensional quality inspections and processes.
• Manage and coordinate department owned areas and daily inspection activities across all shifts.
• Interpret part drawings and provide support to inspection team on interpretation and GDT when necessary.
• Train quality inspectors and technicians on processes, inspection skills, and machine operations.
• Work with design, engineering and quality to identify areas for inspection and process improvement.
• Cultivate team member skills to create inspection programs and troubleshoot existing programs as needed.
• Lead quality inspectors and technicians in the disposition of parts per customer requirements and workmanship standards.
• Identify and support the acquisition of needed equipment to perform required inspections.
• Hire and develop a staff of quality personnel.
• Provide input on performance issues for direct reports. Handles initial disciplinary action with employees.
• Conduct performance reviews with direct reports.
• Handle time off requests of direct reports and maintain time‑keeping records.
• Support external quality audits.
• Provide day‑to‑day work direction and leadership for quality control. Assure manufactured parts comply with Protolabs acceptance criteria and specified customer requirements.
• Maintain quality practices in accordance with established company quality certification(s) such as ISO‑9001 and 13485.
• Maintain or achieve lab environment and certifications as requested by facilitating process improvements.
• Participate in continuous improvement throughout the plant, resulting in ongoing reduction of rework and nonconformance rates. Measure and monitor process performance. Partner with other plant leaders to make data‑driven decisions on process improvement efforts. Work hands‑on in the manufacturing areas to continuously solve problems and revise processes to improve quality. Partner with other plant leadership to expand the culture of quality throughout the plant staff.

• Experience with ISO 9001.
• Familiar with quality systems, inspections and practices and continuous improvement concepts in a manufacturing environment.
• Ownership for capital equipment and its maintenance, working with outside vendors as needed.
• Managing calibration system needs for factory inspection equipment.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented work environment.
• Ability to manage staff schedules to maintain coverage in critical areas.
• Effective management style, compatible with the…