Quality Compliance Specialist

Position Summary

The Lead Auditor/Quality Assurance System Specialist serves as a subject matter expert in quality system compliance and audit management, ensuring adherence to applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer-specific quality requirements. This role supports and leads activities associated with internal audits, external certification audits, customer audits, and regulatory assessments while driving continuous improvement within the Quality Management System (QMS). The position partners with cross-functional teams to investigate nonconformances, coordinate CAPAs, facilitate root cause analysis, and implement sustainable solutions that improve compliance, reduce risk, and enhance overall system effectiveness.

Essential Responsibilities

Quality System Compliance 

• Maintain expertise in ISO, ASME, AWS, nuclear quality, regulatory, and customer specific requirements.
• Interpret and apply quality requirements and compliance standards.
• Support audit readiness and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with development and maintenance of QMS procedures and controls. 

Internal and External Audits 

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct internal ISO and quality system audits.
• Support certification, agency, customer, and nuclear audits.
• Prepare audit evidence and coordinate responses to findings.
• Track findings through corrective action and closure.

 
Corrective Actions (CA) 

• Lead investigations related to quality system nonconformances.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Monitor effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Identify systemic issues and drive preventive measures. 

Customer and Supplier Quality Support 

• Support Customer Corrective Action Requests (CARs).
• Participate in Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs).
• Collaborate across functions to address quality concerns and customer requirements.

Continuous Improvement 

• Analyze trends from audits, complaints, and nonconformances.
• Partner with departments to implement systemic improvements.
• Support management reviews and quality metrics reporting.
• Update QMS and supporting documents when required based on ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel Code updates 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Compliance, Quality Systems, or  Auditing.
• Experience supporting external audits and compliance assessments.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Internal Auditor, Lead Auditor, or ASQ certification.
• Must be willing to undergo internal QMS training and pass an Internal Exam qualifying as a Lead Auditor under Lincoln Electric’s Quality Management Program. 
• Experience with ISO 9001, ASME, AWS, and nuclear quality requirements.
• Experience with CAPAs, CARs, and SCARs.