Quality Specialist

Job Title: Quality Specialist

Job Description

The Quality Specialist plays a key role in ensuring product and material quality within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will perform a wide range of inspections, support non-conforming material processes, conduct audits, and use problem-solving tools to identify root causes and implement permanent corrective actions. This role involves frequent collaboration with cross-functional teams and requires a high level of attention to detail, physical stamina, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Perform material quality inspections to ensure incoming and in-process materials meet required standards.

• Conduct non-conforming material follow-up using the SCAR process and drive corrective and preventive actions.

• Carry out final unit inspections to verify that finished products meet all specifications and quality requirements.

• Execute critical-to-quality inspections and in-process inspections at key stages of production.

• Perform SOP audits to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures across the manufacturing process.

• Support equipment qualification activities to confirm that equipment operates within defined quality parameters.

• Use structured problem-solving tools to identify root causes of quality issues and implement permanent solutions.

• Communicate inspection results through standardized metrics and reporting tools.

• Engage in daily communication with production teams regarding CPRs, 100% inspections, and other quality-related topics.

• Collaborate closely with Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Materials, Production, Shipping, and Inside Sales to resolve quality issues.

• Use various measurement tools such as tape measures, calipers, protractors, and feeler gauges to verify dimensions and tolerances.

• Interpret product prints and drawings to confirm dimensions, tolerances, and quality requirements.

• Operate in a warehouse and manufacturing setting performing tasks such as loading and unloading trucks, material handling, picking, packaging, and shipping as needed.

• Safely operate equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, RF scanners, and hand tools in support of quality and material handling activities.

• Maintain accurate documentation and records of inspections, non-conformances, and corrective actions in relevant systems, including Avante and Microsoft Office tools.

• Manage your own daily schedule, balancing multiple priorities and tasks with minimal direct supervision.

• Adhere to all safety procedures and guidelines, including the use of steel-toe shoes and other required protective equipment.

• Support additional duties within the quality system as assigned by quality leadership.

Essential Skills

• Experience performing material quality inspections, final unit inspections, critical-to-quality inspections, and in-process inspections.

• Hands-on experience with non-conforming material follow-up, including the SCAR process.

• Ability to conduct SOP audits and support equipment qualification activities.

• Proficiency using problem-solving tools to identify root causes and implement permanent corrective actions.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all inspection and documentation activities.

• Ability to use measurement tools such as tape measures, calipers, protractors, and feeler gauges.

• Capability to interpret product prints for dimensions, tolerances, and other specifications.

• Comfortable lifting up to 50 pounds and working in a physically demanding environment.

• Proficiency with computers, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, as well as Avante or similar systems.

• Ability to perform arithmetic calculations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and working with fractions, decimals, and percentages.

• Good oral and written communication skills for clear interaction with cross-functional teams.

• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with multiple functions in a team environment.

• Ability to work with minimal direct supervision and operate as a self-starter.

• Ability to manage your own schedule and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Good vision and color acuity to accurately perform inspections.

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience preferred.

• Experience working in a warehouse or manufacturing environment, preferably 6 months or more.

• Comfort working in a non-temperature-controlled facility that can become hot.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience loading and unloading trucks and performing material handling activities.

• Experience operating forklifts, pallet jacks, RF scanners, and using hand tools in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.

• in picking, packaging, and shipping operations.

• Familiarity with standardized metrics and reporting for communicating inspection results.

• Adaptability to a physically demanding role and changing workloads, including busy seasons.

• Experience working within a structured quality system and following standard operating procedures.

• Contract-to-hire mindset, with interest in transitioning to a long-term full-time role after an 18-week period.

Why Work Here?

You will join a supportive, family-oriented culture that values teamwork, appreciation, and recognition. The organization regularly hosts employee appreciation events and cookouts, creating a strong sense of community. As a contractor converting to full-time, you gain access to the same benefits as long-term employees after the initial period, including eligibility for performance incentives and bonuses. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as a monthly incentive program tied to company and departmental performance. Employees may qualify for home makeover programs, and there are generous referral bonuses for bringing in new team members who stay and succeed. This environment rewards commitment, reliability, and contribution to team success, providing both stability and opportunities for growth.

Work Environment

This is a fully on-site role based in a manufacturing environment in West Des Moines, Iowa, with work spread across three facilities in West Des Moines and one in Norwalk. Each facility has approximately 100 employees, and you will work within a focused team of about 10–15 people. The facilities are not temperature-controlled, so conditions can become hot, and the work is physically demanding. The position follows a day shift schedule, typically 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Current schedules range from 32 to 40 hours per week, with preparation for a busy season that may require up to 50 hours per week and work on two Saturdays per month. The environment includes warehouse and manufacturing operations, with frequent use of forklifts, pallet jacks, RF scanners, and hand tools, along with loading and unloading trucks, material handling, picking, packaging, and shipping. The dress code requires work-appropriate shirts, jeans or shorts, and mandatory steel-toe shoes to ensure safety on the production floor.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of West Des Moines, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.50 - $18.50/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

• Short and long-term disability

• Health Spending Account (HSA)

• Transportation benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in West Des Moines,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.