Inspection Supervisor
At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world-class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
This role leads daily inspection operations across all product lines, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant execution of product inspections. The Inspection Supervisor manages inspection technicians, drives workflow throughput, and ensures product conformity through effective inspection practices and process control.
This position provides technical and operational leadership by supporting inspection standards development, nonconformance identification, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives across the inspection organization.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Lead daily activities of Inspection Technicians across assigned product lines within the site.
- Align inspection activities with production schedules and site priorities to maintain workflow and prevent bottlenecks prior to shipment release.
- Oversee all inspection activities including in-process inspection, final inspection, dimensional/visual verification, and compliance checks against UL, CSA, ISO, and customer requirements.
- Ensure accurate identification, documentation, and disposition of nonconforming products to minimize impact to production flow and shipments.
- Support development and refinement of inspection procedures, work instructions, and standardized quality control processes.
- Collaborate with Engineering and Production to resolve nonconformances, draw discrepancies, and manufacturing deviations identified during inspection.
- Review and validate inspection records, reports, redlines, and documentation packages to ensure accuracy, completeness, and traceability prior to shipment.
- Support Factory Witness Testing (FWT) and customer inspection activities by coordinating inspection readiness, providing technical clarification, and addressing customer observations.
- Monitor and drive performance metrics including inspection throughput, first-pass acceptance rate, rework levels, and shipment readiness.
- Ensure all inspection activities are performed in compliance with UL standards, customer requirements, internal quality systems, and safety policies.
- Maintain inspection tools and equipment readiness, including calibration status, functionality, and proper handling procedures.
- Lead root cause investigations for inspection-related nonconformances and support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Train and mentor inspection team members on procedures, quality standards, documentation requirements, and safety practices.
- Communicate risks related to quality, schedule, materials, or documentation that may impact shipment readiness.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on inspection accuracy, efficiency, standardization, and workflow optimization.
- Enforce escalation processes for quality issues, safety concerns, and critical nonconformances.
- Manage workforce expectations including performance accountability, adherence to standards, and attendance compliance.
SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL
- QC Leads.
- QC Inspectors.
COMPETENCIES
- Safety and Compliance
- Strong understanding of industrial and electrical safety practices including NFPA 70E, PPE requirements, and safe work procedures.
- Knowledge of inspection-related compliance requirements including UL standards, customer specifications, and internal quality systems.
- Ability to ensure inspection activities are performed in compliance with regulatory, safety, and quality expectations.
- Inspection & Technical Expertise
- Strong understanding of electrical systems, switchgear assemblies, and industrial equipment inspection requirements.
- Ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, nameplates, and manufacturing documentation to verify product conformity.
- Experience with inspection methods including visual, dimensional, in-process, and final inspection verification.
- Ability to lead identification of nonconformances and support root cause analysis for quality issues.
- Familiarity with inspection-related tools, measurement devices, and verification equipment.
- Understanding of system behavior to support functional verification and compliance assessment (as applicable to inspection scope).
- Leadership and Team Development
- Ability to lead, coach, and develop inspection technicians in a production environment.
- Strong communication and coordination skills across Production, Engineering, and Quality teams.
- Ability to drive accountability, enforce standards, and maintain team performance under production pressure.
- Strong ability to escalate and resolve quality and inspection-related issues effectively.
- Operational Execution & Problem Solving
- Strong prioritization and decision-making skills to support workflow and shipment readiness.
- Ability to quickly identify, contain, and resolve nonconforming product issues impacting production flow.
- Ownership of daily inspection execution, ensuring adherence to schedules and quality requirements.
- Strong analytical skills to support disposition decisions and quality containment actions.
- Continuous Improvement
- Ability to identify inspection process gaps and drive standardization and improvements.
- Experience with structured problem-solving and corrective action processes (CAPA).
- Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles or continuous improvement methodologies (preferred).
- Focus on improving inspection accuracy, efficiency, and documentation consistency.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
- Safety: Compliance with safety standards, audit readiness, and reduction of safety incidents within inspection operations.
- Quality: First-pass acceptance rate, reduction of nonconformances, and accuracy of inspection defect identification and reporting.
- Delivery: On-time inspection completion aligned with production schedules and shipment readiness targets.
- Efficiency: Reduction of inspection bottlenecks, improved workflow efficiency, and optimized use of inspection resources and equipment.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Quality, Business, or a related technical field preferred, or equivalent experience.
- 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing, quality, inspection, or compliance-driven industrial environments.
- 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience preferred within inspection, quality, or production support roles.
- Strong experience in industrial inspection processes, product verification, and nonconformance management required.
- Experience with electrical equipment, switchgear, or power systems manufacturing preferred.
PHYSICAL / MENTAL / ENVIRONMENTAL
Physical Demands:
Activities: Sitting 20%, Walking/Standing 80%
Lifting: Frequently lift up to 50 lbs.
Bending: Must be able to bend, squat, crawl, and climb.
Vision: Ability to see detailed components and work on screens.
Mental Demands: Ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Environment: Shop/warehouse environment with exposure to heat, cold, noise, dust, and hazards.
Vision: Long periods of close work on a computer screen; ability to see small or detailed items.
Mental Demands: Interpret, analyze, research, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Environment: Shop/warehouse. Not climate controlled. Exposure to excessive heat and cold, wet/humid conditions, noise/vibration, hazards, dust, and fumes.
Why Join IEM
At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem-solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.
Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com
We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers
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