Quality Manager Jobs

The Company: Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Stratus Materials is an early-stage, technology-based company focused on the development and manufacture of advanced active materials for the lithium-ion battery industry. Our primary focus is on advanced electric vehicle batteries, but our materials will also be applicable and very attractive for virtually all other end-user applications using lithium-ion batteries. In early 2022, the company secured a substantial Series A round of financing from two blue-chip venture capital firms and is using those funds to execute on its business plans. If you are interested in a dynamic, high-growth opportunity where you can dig in and make a difference, we look forward to meeting you.

Summary of Position: The Quality Manager is a critical role tasked with providing overall leadership and planning on Quality for the entire organization and also directly operates as a qualified, hands-on Quality Engineering resource for the company. This person will lead the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of a Quality Management System for the company that will initially encompass supply chain and vendor qualifications, incoming inspection, materials production including in-line and end-of-line quality control, equipment calibration, and EH&S/compliance. The role also will work with other company resources to ensure that appropriate document control, workflows, and standard operating procedures are in place throughout the company. It is expected that this Quality Manager role will evolve to include the supervision of additional quality resources hired in the future by the company (i.e. quality engineers, quality technicians).

Responsibilities (direct and via Stratus team):

• Collaborate with technical, operations, and test teams to develop and implement process controls and improvements.
• Ensure that workflows, processes, and products comply with EH&S regulations. Secures any required permits or certifications.
• Train organization on quality systems and culture as it is developed and refined.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement permanent corrective action for non-conformances in performance or quality.
• Inspect and test materials, equipment, processes, and products to ensure quality specifications are met.
• Develop and implement quality standards and systems for the end-to-end production of Stratus cathode active materials – from incoming raw materials to finished product ready to ship externally.
• Monitor and analyze quality performance on a regular basis. Investigate and initiate corrective action plans for any issues that arise.

Requirements – Education, Experience, and Skills:

• Previous experience/certification in lean manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma desirable
• Personnel and project management experience
• A high level of demonstrated technical proficiency and aptitude
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Quality discipline (or equivalent work experience).
• Ability to work as both a leader and as an individual contributor to accomplish objectives.
• Proven experience as a quality leader and expert. Possesses a vision and framework for an evolving Quality framework at a developing company.
• Strong working knowledge of data analysis and statistical methods. Experienced in the use of Microsoft Office, MATLAB, Statistics, Arena, JMP, and other quality-centric applications.
• 5 to 10+ years of experience in quality leadership and execution in a hands-on materials processing environment. Experience with battery materials or functional ceramic powders is a plus.
• Good verbal, written, computer and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems in a rapidly changing environment.
• Highly analytical with demonstrated understanding of quality standards, best practices, and the ability to implement/manage in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Preferences:

• Prior experience in start-up companies
• Prior experience starting up initial pilot and production lines
• Prior experience in battery materials manufacturing
• Prior experience with chemical or powder processing environments

Requirements – Geographic and Physical:

• Occasional light lifting and ascending/descending stairs.
• Able to frequently move about an office and factory floor.
• Travel requirement: Occasional
• Located in Pittsburgh, PA

Along with an exceptional culture and an opportunity to make a global difference, Stratus Materials offers a competitive compensation and benefits package as well as an entrepreneurial environment and the opportunity for phenomenal professional growth and development. Founded in early 2022 by a team including Dr. Jay Whitacre of Carnegie Mellon University, the company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.