Quality Control/Technical Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY

The Technical Manager / Quality Control Manager is responsible for all sawmill and planer mill optimization systems, quality process control, and quality assurance at LaSalle Lumber. This role owns both the hardware and software performance of log and board optimization systems and ensures manufacturing processes consistently produce lumber that meets grade, dimensional, and customer requirements.

In addition, this position is responsible for plant‑level data management and statistical process control, converting operational data into actionable insights that improve efficiency, recovery, uptime, and profitability. The Technical Manager serves as the plant’s technical authority for optimization performance, quality outcomes, and data integrity, working closely with plant leadership and corporate data analysts to support informed decision‑making. This is a hands‑on, technically accountable role, embedded in daily operations—not a desk‑only QC function.

SAFETY

• Ensure department operates in a safe manner in accordance with work safe rules, regulations, and policies
• Promote safety awareness and trains staff to recognize and immediately report any unsafe acts, conditions or unsafe equipment within the facility to help eliminate safety hazards
• Ensure employees are trained in safe work practices and are compliant with regulations and policies
• Ensure all aspects of the mills established safety program are delivered to employees in a timely and effective manner
• Communicate with crew on topics of safety, continuous improvement opportunities, and direction of department

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Optimization & Technical Systems Ownership:

• Own and manage all sawmill log, cant, and board optimization systems, including:
  • Optimizer software configuration
  • Scanner Performance and Calibration
  • Mechanical and controls interaction impacting optimization results

• Manage planer mill board optimization, including:
  • Size targeting
  • Grade recovery
  • Trim Optimization and output consistency

• Act as the primary technical interface with Comact and third‑party vendors for troubleshooting, upgrades, tuning, and system performance issues.
• Work closely with the plant controls technician to ensure:
  • Optimization systems are fully utilized
  • Machine controls support stable, repeatable process control
  • Technical limitations are identified and corrected rather than worked around.

Quality Control & Assurance

• Own and enforce plant quality standards for lumber grade, dimensions, and finish.
• Maintain responsibility for quality performance across all shifts, including direct oversight of all shift quality technicians.
• Establish and maintain QC inspection methods, audit processes, and documentation.
• Lead investigations into:
  • Grade Loss
  • Quality Defects
  • Customer recommendations
  • Internal rejects or rework

• Drive root cause analysis and ensure corrective actions are implemented, verified, and sustained.
• Serve as a customer liaison when quality issues require direct technical engagement in support of sales and leadership.

Data Management and Statistical Process Control

• Maintain accurate, reliable plant operational and quality data, ensuring proper historical recordkeeping.
• Develop and management statistical process control (SPC) methods to monitor:
  • Dimensional variation
  • Process stability
  • Optimization performance

• Translate raw production data into clear, decision‑ready analysis for plant management.
• Work in conjunction with corporate data analysts to support enterprise-level reporting, benchmarking, and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure data integrity across optimization systems, QC reporting, and operational dashboards.

Operational Support & Continuous Improvement

• Assist plant management with data-driven improvement initiatives, including:
  • Recovery improvement
  • Throughput optimization
  • Process stability

• Work with lumber sales to support product mix adjustments based on technical capability and market demand.
• Investigate workflows, business procedures, and technical processes to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Collect, analyze, and track key metrics related to processes owned by the technical function.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to recommend process, equipment, or system enhancements that improve productivity and profitability.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Technical & Analytical

• Strong capability in data management and practical application of statistical process control
• Technical aptitude with strong math and statistical reasoning skills
• Deep understanding of manufacturing process variation and control
• Strong troubleshooting, observation, and investigative skills in an industrial environment

Professional & Leadership

• High attention to detail with strong quality focus
• Clear and effective communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to collaborate across operations, maintenance, controls, sales, and corporate teams
• Strong organization skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Self-motivated with the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced mill environment
• Project management and process improvement capability
• Ability to influence without authority and drive disciplined execution

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Engineering (Mechanical/Industrial) or Business Degree Preferred
• 3 - 5 Years experience as QC Supervisor or Lead Man
• Knowledge of lumber manufacturing processes and equipment