Quality Team Lead in Piedmont, South Carolina at Human Technologies, Inc

Location: Piedmont, SC
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Classification: Non-Exempt
Department: Quality

HTI is seeking a Quality Team Leader for a manufacturing company in Piedmont, South Carolina. This position is ideal for an experienced quality professional who is ready to combine hands-on technical expertise with frontline leadership.

The Quality Team Leader will direct the Quality Specialists and Quality Technicians assigned to their shift while remaining actively involved in inspection, testing, troubleshooting, associate training, and continuous improvement activities. The successful candidate will be comfortable making sound quality decisions, partnering with Production, and maintaining standards in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Lead and support Quality Specialists and Quality Technicians assigned to the shift.
• Coordinate inspection and testing activities to maintain control over materials, processes, and finished products.
• Perform and assist with inspections and testing in the quality and performance lab.
• Ensure products meet established specifications and quality standards.
• Partner with Quality and Production leadership to improve product reliability while controlling costs.
• Confirm that inspection and testing procedures are completed correctly.
• Escalate concerns when corrective or preventive actions are not being followed.
• Assist with investigations involving quality concerns and customer complaints.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and control plans.
• Train quality associates and track training completion and performance.
• Compile and maintain production data related to product quality.
• Recommend improvements to production methods, equipment performance, and product quality.
• Stop the production process when quality findings warrant immediate action.

• Previous experience in a manufacturing quality role with demonstrated technical proficiency.
• Experience leading, training, or directing quality technicians, inspectors, or other manufacturing associates.
• Hands-on experience with inspection, measurement, testing, and manufacturing troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of statistical process control, or SPC.
• Understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, or GD&T.
• Experience with metrology, gauge calibration, and close-tolerance measurement.
• Familiarity with receiving inspection, performance testing, and product testing.
• Ability to use statistical, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis tools.
• Ability to interpret quality standards, control plans, procedures, and work instructions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with basic computer systems and production-quality data.
• Ability to work effectively across Quality, Production, and other manufacturing functions.

The position requires someone capable of performing the testing and measurement activities used within the quality department while also supporting and developing others.

• Associate degree in quality, manufacturing, engineering technology, or a related field.
• Experience in automotive or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949.
• Familiarity with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
• Previous experience in a Quality Team Leader, Lead Quality Technician, Quality Specialist, Quality Supervisor, or similar position.
• Experience developing or revising quality standards and standard work.

A high school diploma or GED with relevant work experience is required; an associate degree in a related field is preferred.

A successful Quality Team Leader will:

• Set clear expectations and hold associates accountable to established quality procedures.
• Remain calm and objective when quality concerns affect production.
• Balance strong production partnerships with an unwavering commitment to product quality.
• Recognize issues early and take appropriate action before they become larger problems.
• Coach associates effectively and build quality awareness throughout the shift.
• Use data and structured problem-solving methods rather than assumptions.
• Communicate concerns clearly to associates, production leaders, and quality management.
• Demonstrate strong judgment, follow-through, and attention to detail.

This position works within a manufacturing environment and requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, including steel-toed shoes and safety glasses.

Candidates must be able to:

• Work the assigned shift and overtime as needed.
• Stand, bend, push, pull, reach, grasp, and perform repetitive movements throughout the shift.
• Perform work requiring fine-finger dexterity.
• Lift up to 40 pounds as needed.
• Perform detailed visual inspections requiring close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.