Architectural Specialties Process Improvement & Quality Manager Job

Primary location:Lancaster,Pennsylvania
Relocation offered:No
Employment status:Full-Time
Travel:26%-50%
Non-compete:No

The estimated base salary range for this role is $100,000 to $145,000 per year.
Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

Continuous Improvement & Quality Manager

Reporting to the Director of AS Operations Excellence, the AS Process Improvement and Quality Manager will provide process improvement expertise and quality leadership across a diverse network of AS manufacturing facilities. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives, quality system development, and productivity enhancement efforts that support the Total Customer Experience.

What You'll Be Doing

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lead and develop continuous improvement roadmaps, methodologies, and manufacturing systems across the organization
• Partner with business leaders and plant teams to identify, prioritize, and execute improvement opportunities
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, DFSS, and other process improvement initiatives ranging from single-department projects to complex cross-functional programs
• Drive productivity improvements through development of metrics, dashboards, and hands-on operational support
• Integrate maintenance and reliability methodologies throughout the organization
• Support SAP implementation efforts across Architectural Specialties businesses
• Mentor plant leaders and help build a sustainable continuous improvement and Lean culture
• Lead policy deployment deep dives to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions
• Share best practices, lessons learned, and improvement successes across the AS network
• Ensure proactive improvement initiatives are incorporated into strategic business plans

Quality Systems & Customer Experience

• Develop and strengthen quality systems that improve product quality and customer satisfaction
• Implement and maintain Quality Management Systems (QMS) across assigned plant locations
• Develop executive and plant-level quality metrics to monitor operational performance
• Support and oversee plant audits, vendor audits, and quality process evaluations
• Ensure robust quality processes including:
• document control
• measuring system control
• containment processes
• change management
• product control systems
• Support product introduction and development processes to ensure quality standards are met
• Lead and manage Quality Improvement Plans across targeted operational areas
• Collaborate with enterprise quality leadership to ensure consistency and alignment across all company locations

Leadership & Collaboration

• Train and coach stakeholders on Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Develop and deliver presentations and project updates to all levels of leadership
• Track project metrics, business impact, and financial benefits of improvement initiatives
• Influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational change without direct authority
• Travel to manufacturing facilities to support implementation efforts and operational improvements

What Will Make You Successful

• Strong expertise in Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, DFSS, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to lead culture change initiatives and drive measurable business results
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to lead multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and presentation skills across all organizational levels
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive accountability without direct authority
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset
• Experience developing and implementing quality systems that improve operational performance and customer satisfaction
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to work effectively in both office and manufacturing environments
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to build relationships across operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, and leadership teams
• Commitment to continuous learning and advancement of Lean and operational excellence methodologies

What Makes You Stand Out

• Expertise implementing Lean manufacturing systems in multi-site manufacturing environments
• Advanced knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and quality process optimization
• Experience integrating maintenance and reliability methodologies into operational improvement strategies
• Experience leading cross-functional operational excellence or transformation initiatives
• Strong background supporting SAP implementation or enterprise system integration projects
• Proven success developing plant-level metrics, dashboards, and productivity tracking systems
• Experience mentoring leaders and developing continuous improvement capabilities within manufacturing teams
• Demonstrated ability to standardize best practices across multiple facilities or business units
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, process control, and product quality systems
• Experience leading policy deployment, root cause analysis, and corrective action initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in:
• Engineering
• Operations Management
• Or related field required
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• 5-10 years of manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, or plant leadership experience required for Grade 11/12
• 10+ years of similar experience required for Grade 13
• Significant experience working within a Lean manufacturing culture
• Demonstrated experience driving operational and cultural transformation initiatives
• Strong knowledge of:
• Lean manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• DFSS
• Quality systems
• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Proven project management experience in manufacturing or operational environments
• Excellent writing, presentation, facilitation, and data organization skills
• Ability to travel approximately 25%-40% to support plant operations and improvement initiatives

Why should you join Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is anAmericas leader in the design and manufacture of innovative interior and exterior architectural applications including ceilings, specialty walls and exterior metal solutions. With approximately $1.4 billion in revenue, AWI has about 3,700 employees and a manufacturing network of 21 facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 160 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable architectural solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow.
We are committed to:

• Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce;
• Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet;
• Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play;
• Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and
• Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

About the location (Lancaster PA)

Lancaster, PA. A great central location in South Central Pennsylvania, Lancaster is ideally situated for easy access to major metropolitan cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York City. Lancaster offers a vibrant arts and entertainment community with wonderful historic sites, B&Bs, museums, great shopping, entertainment venues and restaurants.

Armstrong is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce. As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at AWI talent acquisitionand let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!