Quality Assurance Specialist - Spring Valley, IL

Marmon/Keystone LLC As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway— you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best. Our Story Since 1907, Marmon/Keystone, LLC (a Marmon Holdings/Berkshire Hathaway company) is a well-established player in the metals distribution sector, renowned for its consistent delivery of top-tier metal products and unparalleled customer service. Marmon/Keystone, LLC is comprised of 350+ full-time employees spanning over 20 locations throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. We are committed to optimizing, standardizing, and modernizing every aspect of our operations. Our mission is to drive excellence through innovation and efficiency, creating a workplace where growth knows no bounds. Our average employee tenure of 15 years reinforces our commitment to our employees’ career success and personal fulfillment! What We Are Looking For Marmon/Keystone is currently recruiting for the position of Quality Assurance Specialist based out of our Spring Valley, IL facility. The Quality Specialist serves as the site-level quality representative responsible for supporting daily quality operations, process compliance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement initiatives within a high-volume manufacturing and distribution environment. Reporting directly to the Regional Quality Manager, this position provides embedded "boots on the ground" quality leadership by partnering closely with Operations, Customer Service, Supply Chain, Sales, APQP Engineering, and customers to ensure product conformity, process discipline, and timely resolution of quality concerns. The Quality Specialist balances a strong shop-floor presence with the administration of the Quality Management System (QMS), serving as the site's primary resource for daily quality support while promoting Built-In Quality (BIQ) principles throughout the facility. What You Will Do Quality Operations & Compliance • Serve as the site's primary quality representative supporting daily warehouse and processing operations. • Perform incoming, in-process, and final product inspections using standard inspection equipment. • Verify conformance of cut-to-length tube, pipe, and bar products to customer specifications. • Support processing operations including band saws, cold saws, rotary cut-off equipment, and outsourced value-added processing. • Manage nonconforming material, quarantine inventory, containment activities, and disposition recommendations. • Conduct product and process verification activities to ensure compliance with customer requirements. • Perform layered process audits, Built-In Quality (BIQ) audits, warehouse audits, and process compliance reviews. • Support Material Review Board (MRB) activities and disposition decisions. Customer & Supplier Quality Support • Investigate customer complaints and validate returned material. • Coordinate supplier nonconformance activities and corrective actions with mills and outside processors. • Support customer audits, supplier audits, and quality system assessments. • Review customer drawings, specifications, purchase order requirements, and quality documentation. • Assist with customer qualification activities including PPAPs, FAIs, ISIRs, deviations, and customer-specific documentation. • Participate in customer and supplier meetings as required. Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement • Lead or facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities using structured problem-solving methodologies. • Support implementation and verification of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs). • Issue Quality Alerts and communicate lessons learned throughout the facility. • Participate in Lean, Continuous Improvement, and Built-In Quality initiatives. • Support reduction of customer claims, COPQ, rework, scrap, and processing errors. • Assist with development of visual work instructions and standardized work. Quality Systems & Administration • Maintain quality records within ERP and Quality Management Systems. • Process customer claims and supplier quality documentation. • Maintain calibration records and support the site's gage control program. • Assist with internal audits and ISO 9001 compliance activities. • Support document control and quality record retention requirements. • Complete customer surveys, supplier questionnaires, and compliance documentation. • Maintain inspection records, quality metrics, and reporting dashboards. • Support ERP master data initiatives as assigned. Inventory & Operational Support • Perform inventory verification and stock quality checks. • Verify product identification, traceability, labeling, certifications, and packaging requirements. • Support timely disposition of quarantined inventory. • Work with Operations to improve throughput while maintaining product quality. • Identify opportunities to eliminate waste and improve process consistency. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner daily with Operations, Customer Service, Sales, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Regional Quality Managers. • Participate in daily production meetings, toolbox talks, and cross-functional Teams meetings. • Communicate quality risks, customer concerns, and operational issues in a timely manner. • Escalate issues requiring Regional Quality Manager involvement while independently resolving routine site-level quality matters. Target Compensation: $78,000 to $83.000 What You’ll Bring to the Role Required • Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Quality, Business, or related discipline; equivalent experience considered. • Minimum 3 years of experience in manufacturing, metals processing, distribution, machining, fabrication, or industrial operations. • Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems. • Experience with Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action methodologies. • Ability to read engineering drawings and customer specifications. • Experience using standard inspection equipment. • Strong Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams skills. • Experience with ERP systems and quality software. • Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Preferred • Experience within a metals service center or industrial distribution environment. • Knowledge of PPAP, APQP, FAI, ISIR, CAR, CAPA, and ISO 9001. • Experience supporting OEM customers. • Lean or Six Sigma certification. • Experience supporting internal and supplier audits. • Familiarity with Power BI or similar reporting tools. What’s in it for You • Medical, dental, and vision insurance available immediately upon hire • Paid vacation and sick time • 10 paid holidays • 401 (k) savings plan with company match • Paid parental leave • Tuition reimbursement and employee discounts ***Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer. Sponsorship for work authorization (e.g., H-1B, green card, etc.) is not available.*** Marmon/Keystone LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law Pay Range: 64,000.00 - 96,000.00 We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more! Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law . We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to careers@marmon.com, and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.