Quality Manager

Job ID:  509791

Ash Grove Cement, a CRH company, provides Portland and masonry cements to help build the foundation and infrastructure for the world around us.  We ship millions of tons of cement from our plants and network of terminals located across North America. When you work for Ash Grove, you are connecting to something bigger. We stand together to reinvent the way our world is built. Join our team and help Ash Grove build America.

At Ash Grove Cement, people are our first priority. We offer a complete benefits package to include: 

• Health Insurance 

• Dental Insurance  

• Vision Insurance 

• Retirement Plan 

• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays 

• Tuition Reimbursement 

• Employee Assistance Program  

• Disability Pay 

• Life Insurance 

• Growth Opportunities and more! 

Summary: 

The Quality Manager supervises and administers all plant laboratory activities, including quality control and the proportioning of materials used in the cement manufacturing process. This position ensures the efficient operation of the plant laboratory facility. The position is required to remain available on a 24-hour basis to assist with the lab and processing problems.

What you’ll be contributing: 

• Promote and follow all plant safety guidelines. 
• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Ensures efficient plant quality control procedures. Monitors quality control and collaborates with plant management regarding current quality control status and actions needed for improving product quality.
• Establishes, communicates, and assigns job responsibilities to plant laboratory employees.
• Provides indirect supervision over plant personnel affecting product quality or control of production processes. In addition, supervises and evaluates the job performance of laboratory personnel.
• Establishes technical director and sales department the cement quality control parameters needed to be competitive in the marketplace.
• Reviews and interprets cement and other raw material research data stored in the lab computer.
• Calculates and reviews daily production activities and results.
• Supervises and ensures test procedures are conducted according to established standards and guidelines.
• Maintains continual awareness of changes in the production process and evaluates their impact on the quality of the product. Recommends processing changes.
• Generates instructions for setting and adjusting equipment to make raw meals and cement to obtain a uniform quality. Establishes laboratory quality control parameters for slurry, clinker, and cement.
• Confers regularly with other department managers regarding quality control issues such as harvesting raw material to obtain the desired mix, optimum utilization of raw material, production scheduling, and mill grinding.
• Assumes responsibility for the overall safety of the plant lab and conducts safety meetings for lab personnel regularly as specified by management.
• Monitors daily inventory of cement, process additives and chemicals, and other raw materials as assigned by management.
• Orders lab equipment, meets with vendors and ensures proper repairs, maintenance, and calibration of existing lab equipment.
• Attends various plant meetings and training sessions to interact and consult with other department managers regarding plant operations.
• Investigates alternate raw material sources, fuels, and alternate suppliers of grinding aid.
• Attends professional education workshops and seminars to keep cement research and chemistry updated. Through publications, memos, and professional organization, maintains knowledge of changes in American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications.
• Assumes and performs the responsibilities of Radiation Safety Officer. Participates in air quality inspections and associated air permit responsibilities.
• Maintains ASSHTO accreditation, which includes quarterly, biannual, and yearly file audits and an internal audit process of testing methods executed in the lab.

To succeed in this position, you will need: 

• Minimum 4 year/bachelor's Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field. 
• Minimum 7 years of expereince as Assistant Chief Chemist or similiar position in a cement manufacturing or related industry.
• Preferred 3 years of supervisory experience in a lab or related industry.
• Proficient in problem-solving skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to build a team, lead a team, and work with groups or contractors
• Proficient in English written, verbal communication, and listening skills.
• Extensive knowledge of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and geology 
• Knowledge of the cement manufacturing process, ASTM standards, AASHTO standards, and quality control procedures are taken in production operations
• Ability to use a computer to store data and generate reports
• Ability to follow specific instructions and guidelines
• Ability to refer to the manager when clarification or interpretation of organizational policy
•  Ability to exercise direct supervision over all laboratory personnel at the plant

What’s next for you? 

We provide stability and advancement opportunities across North America. Use our tuition reimbursement program to help you meet your career goals. 

The above duties and responsibilities are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive. The physical demands, working environment, and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

What CRH Offers You

• Highly competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
• Group retirement savings program
• Health and wellness programs
• An inclusive culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion

About CRH

CRH has a long and proud heritage. We are a collection of hundreds of family businesses, regional companies and large enterprises that together form the CRH family. CRH operates in a decentralized, diversified structure that allows you to work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large international organization.

If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, we invite you to take the first step and apply today! Once you click apply now, you will be brought to our official employment application. Please complete your online profile and it will be sent to the hiring manager. Our system allows you to view and track your status 24 hours a day. Thank you for your interest!

Ash Grove Cement, a CRH Company, is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

EOE/Vet/Disability