Job ID: 504199

Ash Grove Cement, a CRH company, provides Portland and masonry cements to help build the foundation and infrastructure for the world around us. We ship millions of tons of cement from our plants and network of terminals located across North America. When you work for Ash Grove, you are connecting to something bigger. We stand together to reinvent the way our world is built. Join our team and help Ash Grove build America.

At Ash Grove Cement, people are our first priority. We offer a complete benefits package and opportunities for your continued growth and development!

Summary:

The Quality Manager supervises and administers all plant laboratory activities, including quality control and the proportioning of materials used in the cement manufacturing process. This position ensures the efficient operation of the plant laboratory facility. The position is required to remain available on a 24-hour basis to assist with the lab and processing problems. The Quality Manager can expect about 5% travel (for conferences or corporate events).

• Promote and follow all plant safety guidelines.
• Ensures efficient plant quality control procedures. Monitors quality control and collaborates with plant management regarding current quality control status and actions needed for improving product quality.
• Establishes, communicates, and assigns job responsibilities to plant laboratory employees.
• Provides indirect supervision over plant personnel affecting product quality or control of production processes. In addition, supervises and evaluates the job performance of laboratory personnel.
• Establishes technical director and sales department the cement quality control parameters needed to be competitive in the marketplace.
• Reviews and interprets cement and other raw material research data stored in the lab computer. Excel skills are critical for this role.
• Calculates and reviews daily production activities and results.
• Supervises and ensures test procedures are conducted according to established standards and guidelines.
• Maintains continual awareness of changes in the production process and evaluates their impact on the quality of the product. Recommends processing changes.
• Generates instructions for setting and adjusting equipment to make raw meals and cement to obtain a uniform quality. Establishes laboratory quality control parameters for slurry, clinker, and cement.
• Confers regularly with other department managers regarding quality control issues such as harvesting raw material to obtain the desired mix, optimum utilization of raw material, production scheduling, and mill grinding.
• Assumes responsibility for the overall safety of the plant lab and conducts safety meetings for lab personnel regularly as specified by management.
• Monitors daily inventory of cement, process additives and chemicals, and other raw materials as assigned by management.
• Orders lab equipment, meets with vendors and ensures proper repairs, maintenance, and calibration of existing lab equipment.
• Attends various plant meetings and training sessions to interact and consult with other department managers regarding plant operations.
• Investigates alternate raw material sources, fuels, and alternate suppliers of grinding aid.
• Attends professional education workshops and seminars to keep cement research and chemistry updated. Through publications, memos, and professional organization, maintains knowledge of changes in American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications.
• Assumes and performs the responsibilities of Radiation Safety Officer. Participates in air quality inspections and associated air permit responsibilities.
• Contribute to the GHG and CO2 improvement initatives by investigating raw materials sources
• Maintains ASSHTO accreditation, which includes quarterly, biannual, and yearly file audits and an internal audit process of testing methods executed in the lab.
• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Ability to read, write and understand warning labels, instructions, signs, etc.
• Minimum 4 year/bachelor's Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field required
• Preferred 3 years experience as an Assistant Chief Chemist, or similar position in a cement manufacturing or related industry.
• Preferred 3 years of supervisory experience in a lab or related industry.

• Highly competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
• Group retirement savings program
• Health and wellness programs
• A diverse and inclusive culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion