Process & Quality Specialist

Job Summary:

The Manufacturing Process & Quality Specialist is a hands-on role supporting quality, production, training, process improvement, and day-to-day plant operations. This position develops a broad understanding of our products, equipment, processes, and systems and helps identify problems, determine causes, and implement practical solutions.

The role requires mechanical aptitude, computer proficiency, curiosity, adaptability, and initiative. Work may include inspection, troubleshooting, rework, equipment operation, employee training, documentation, data analysis, new-product support, and other operational needs.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct and document product quality checks and inbound inspections; identify defects, damage, specification issues, and recurring quality concerns.
• Investigate quality and process problems, assist with root-cause analysis, and implement or support corrective actions.
• Perform or coordinate rework and repair of components or finished products as needed.
• Develop a broad working knowledge of production equipment, tooling, materials, products, and processes; operate equipment or provide production support when needed.
• Troubleshoot basic equipment, tooling, fixture, air-line, and process problems; determine practical solutions and escalate specialized repairs when appropriate.
• Create and maintain SOPs, work instructions, quality records, and training documentation.
• Train team members on quality, process, safety, time, and SOP standards and help identify training gaps.
• Conduct time studies, gather operational data, and help develop, test, and implement improvements to manufacturing methods, fixtures, workflows, and controls.
• Use Excel and other business systems to organize and analyze operational information and communicate findings or recommended actions to management.
• Assist with new-product builds, prototypes, process trials, and production strategies.
• Support changing operational priorities and willingly step in to help other areas when needed.
• Ensure adherence to applicable health and safety standards and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on problem-solving ability.
• Strong computer proficiency, including working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Outlook/email, Teams, and the ability to quickly learn new software systems.
• Curiosity, resourcefulness, and persistence when working through unfamiliar problems.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and move effectively between different types of work.
• Ability to prioritize competing needs based on safety, quality, production impact, and urgency.
• Strong attention to detail with an understanding of broader production and operational needs.
• Ability to communicate clearly, train others, document processes, and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, take ownership, and recognize when additional help or resources are needed.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing, maintenance, machining, fabrication, automotive, construction, field service, warehouse operations, quality, or another technical environment is preferred but not required.
• Extensive quality-control experience is not required. Mechanical aptitude, computer proficiency, curiosity, resourcefulness, and the ability to learn are highly valued.
• Forklift experience preferred; ability and willingness to become trained and certified as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach for extended periods on the production floor.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials and finished units up to 50 lbs, and to team-lift heavier items safely.
• Ability to use hand and power tools and to operate production equipment safely.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including closed-toe shoes and safety glasses in designated areas.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, typically 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch.
• Overtime as needed based on production.
• Participates in the daily morning huddle.

Work Style Expectations:

Ozark River is a small manufacturing team where employees are trusted to own their responsibilities while working closely with others. We value practical problem-solving, thoughtful improvement, and people who are willing to step in and help when needed.

Employees are encouraged to identify better ways of doing things and recommend changes. The successful candidate should be able to evaluate problems, use sound judgment, and work with the appropriate team members to implement solutions, including recognizing when additional tools, resources, or support are warranted.

Our Core Values in This Role:

Every role at Ozark River is measured by how the work gets done, not only what gets done. In this role, our core values look like this:

• Act With Integrity: Record quality results accurately and honestly, communicate concerns clearly, and do the right thing even when the result is inconvenient.
• Own the Outcome: Take ownership when you identify a problem. Understand what is happening, help determine the cause, and make sure it gets to the right people and moves toward an effective solution.
• Work Together, Win Together: Share what you learn, help others succeed, and be willing to step in when the team needs support.
• Raise the Standard: Help establish, document, and improve standards through SOPs, specifications, inspections, training, and process improvement.
• Grow on Purpose: Stay curious, keep learning new equipment and systems, ask questions, and bring forward better ways to work.

Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Manufacturing: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (Required)

Work Location: In person