Quality and Safety Manager

The Lighthouse for The Blind in New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The Lighthouse Quality and Safety Manager (QSM) maintains a pivotal role on the Senior Leadership Team. The QSM is responsible for ensuring that products and services meet all quality standards while adhering to safety protocols. This role is critical in minimizing the risk of product variances, maintaining the Lighthouse reputation, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. The QSM is responsible for the development, implementation, and continual improvement of the quality and safety management systems across the organization, upholding high standards of excellence and safety throughout Lighthouse operations at all locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred.
Minimum ISO internal auditor or equivalent quality System certification required.
Proven experience in a quality assurance or safety role in the industry.
Strong understanding of quality assurance methodologies, tools, and practices.
Strong Working knowledge of ISO 9001 standards or similar quality Systems.
Knowledge of OSHA standards and documentation.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Superior oral and written communications.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Minimum of 3-5 years working with quality management systems required.
Able to lift 60 lbs., bend, stoop, climb, and walk frequently throughout the day.
Able to travel throughout the facility and respond to emergencies.
Dependable, proactive, detail-oriented, collaborative, self-directed, and professional.
Valid driver’s license and clear driving record required with valid Louisiana insurance coverage.
Background Check and Drug Testing required: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Certified Safety Professional (CSP) preferred.
Experience working with safety programs preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee the organization's total quality management strategies and safety programs.
Establish quality and safety metrics for product and service excellence.
Lead the development and implementation of policies, standard operating procedures, and programs that ensure product compliance with external and internal standards.
Provide supervision and guidance to the Quality Inspector to ensure quality compliance with products and shipments.
Develop a rhythm for conducting internal audits throughout the year to ensure staff adherence to quality policies and procedures across the organization.
Lead a quarterly management review to inform executive leadership of progress, deficiencies, problems, risks, and data trends that impact operations.
Conduct daily quality inspections in conjunction with the Quality Inspector, Testing and examining samples of new products and monitoring phases of production to ensure overall quality.
Conduct comprehensive safety inspections and audits to identify potential hazards and develop risk mitigation strategies.
Monitor ongoing performance and quality control systems to ensure products meet consumer expectations and regulatory standards.
Develop, recommend, and monitor corrective and preventive actions to resolve nonconformance and safety issues.
Develop and implement a system for monitoring customer satisfaction across sales and service programs. Collaborate with team leads to maintain high satisfaction ratings.
Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Facilitate training sessions for employees on quality improvement and safety practices.
Document all audits, inspections, trainings, and meetings to substantiate the ongoing management of quality and safety systems. Prepare detailed reports on quality and safety issues, investigations, and other significant outcomes based on the data collected.
Lead the development and implementation of safety policies, standard operating procedures, and programs in compliance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
Ensure injured employees have immediate needs adequately met when injuries occur. Ensure that incident reports and investigations are completed and maintain records of all incidents. Assist the HR Director with managing Worker’s Compensation claims by ensuring all documentation for job-related injuries are immediately processed.
Maintain Survey of Occupational injuries and illness to be reported annually.
Manage and maintain ISO documentation and certification processes.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer.