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Nature's Fynd · 2 months ago

Program Manager - Quality Focus

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

3+ years exp

Nature's Fynd is a company focused on advanced materials and textiles, seeking a Program Manager - Quality Focus to lead production and quality programs. The role involves overseeing supply chains, enforcing technical specifications, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-performance material production and sustainability goals.

AgricultureAgTechFood and BeverageFood ProcessingSustainability

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for external manufacturers and supply chain partners, managing daily operations and escalations

Lead cross-site internal resources to swiftly resolve production issues, driving measurable improvements in product performance, yield rates, and cost efficiencies

Conduct regular audits and performance reviews to verify adherence to specifications; foster collaborative development of quality programs and production procedures with manufacturing teams

Design and implement comprehensive quality control plans and SOPs tailored to extrusion and textile processes

Operate analytical tools and instruments to collect and interpret statistical data for informed decision-making

Coordinate routine inspections and audits across raw materials, in-process items, and finished goods to uphold internal standards and customer requirements

Apply statistical process control (SPC) techniques to monitor production variability; establish and track key QA targets for ongoing enhancement; spearhead audits aimed at streamlining quality check turnaround times and operational efficiency

Direct the full lifecycle of new product introductions, from concept validation to partner qualification and scale-up

Provide strategic guidance to multidisciplinary teams—including quality, regulatory, business development, and R&D—to achieve aggressive timelines, budget constraints, and performance benchmarks, mitigating risks through proactive planning and milestone tracking

Partner with the Sr. Process Engineer to pinpoint process bottlenecks via data-driven analysis and implement root cause corrective actions (RCCA)

Drive optimization initiatives that minimize defects, lower production costs, and elevate sustainability metrics, such as waste reduction and energy efficiency; lead efforts to shrink the environmental footprint of manufacturing operations in collaboration with partners

Create and maintain dynamic reporting dashboards to track external partners' KPIs on production stability, inventory levels, and brand alignment

Develop and execute action plans to address gaps and ensure goal attainment

Rigorously evaluate and approve suppliers based on quality benchmarks; collaborate closely to diagnose and resolve persistent quality issues, securing consistent delivery of premium materials

Establish annual goals, long-term strategies, and KPIs for suppliers that align with Hydefy's corporate objectives

Collaborate seamlessly with R&D, quality, supply chain, finance, and business development teams to translate technical and financial requirements into actionable directives for toll manufacturers, while prioritizing adherence to critical customer and brand launch timelines

Maintain meticulous records of all quality tests, inspections, audits, and outcomes

Generate insightful reports on performance trends, non-conformances, and improvement opportunities to inform leadership decisions; uphold compliance with industry standards, ISO regulations, and internal policies

Proactively investigate and resolve customer complaints; design systems to monitor and fulfill diverse multi-customer quality requirements, partnering with the business team to boost satisfaction and retention

Champion the rollout/maintenance of integrated quality management systems (QMS) across the production lifecycle, leveraging data science tools for predictive analytics and issue resolution

Co-develop SOPs with emphasis on data validation protocols for accuracy

Establish detailed inspection frameworks for each production stage, specifying internal/external performers, frequency schedules, data collection methods, reporting protocols, and escalation cascades for pass/fail outcomes

Qualification

Materials ScienceQuality ManagementStatistical Process ControlQuality Control SoftwareSix Sigma CertificationProblem-SolvingCommunication SkillsLeadership

Required

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field

3-5 years of progressive experience in program or quality management, with a strong preference for roles in sheet extrusion, textiles, or plastics manufacturing

Demonstrated leadership and influence across distributed teams and manufacturing sites, with a track record of driving results in dynamic environments

Expertise in QA principles, SPC methodologies, statistical analysis, and quality control software (e.g., Minitab, JMP)

Exceptional problem-solving abilities, coupled with strong verbal and written communication skills for stakeholder engagement