Responsibilities: • Develop and implement quality plans for shaped refractory products for raw materials, processing, firing, and finished goods. • Oversee end-to-end refractory brick manufacturing: crushing, grinding, batching, mixing, shaping (pressing/extrusion), drying, firing, and finishing. • Monitor incoming raw material quality and ensure conformance to chemical, physical, and mineralogical specifications • Ensure traceability, documentation and compliance with ISO 9001, IMS, and customer-specific quality requirements. • Define CTQs, control plans, inspection plans, SOPs, and testing protocols for shaped products. • Drive standardization of quality practices across shifts and product lines. • Conduct supplier audits and periodic performance reviews. • Lead RM qualification, alternate source development, and cost-optimization initiatives without compromising quality. • Ensure effective control of defects such as cracks, laminations, warpage, under/overfiring, dimensional deviations, and strength variation. • Ensure testing of shaped refractories as per IS/ASTM/ISO standards: AP/BD, CCS, PLC, HMOR, refractoriness, RUL, thermal shock, creep, etc. • Approve final product release and COA issuance. • Control rejection rates and drive reduction through root cause analysis and corrective actions. • Ensuring timely evaluation and qualification of new raw materials through lab trials and industrial validation. • Supervising calibration, maintenance, and validation of laboratory equipment to ensure reliability of results. • Conducting testing and analysis of R&D samples, pilot batches, and customer trial samples. • Reduction in quality complaints of products through root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions. • Handle customer complaints related to shaped products and lead failure analysis (RCA, CAPA). • Customization of products / cost savings exercises for products • Coordinating with cross-functional teams (production, procurement, R&D, Sales, site teams) to resolve quality issues of raw materials and finished products • Training and mentoring QA/QC teams to upgrade technical knowledge and ensure skill development. • Conducting vendor audits, quality evaluation, and qualification of raw material suppliers. • Supporting new product development with performance validation and scale-up trials • Promote sustainability initiatives such as reclaim material utilization without performance loss • Support Sales with technical justifications, datasheets, and benchmarking against competitors. • Proven leadership in team handling, mentoring, and capability building Profile and Competencies: Education, background, level of experience • B.Tech/ M.Tech (Ceramic Technology/Enginering) from a reputed Ceramic Institute. • Minimum 12 years' experience in a QA & QC role of a reputed Refractory industry. Experience in Refractory Shaped products (brick industry) is preferred. The incumbent should have - • Knowledge in Ceramics and Refractories • Sound knowledge of refractory brick manufacturing processes, including raw material evaluation and selection, control of critical process parameters, and final product testing and inspection. • Strong understanding of refractory brick chemistry, mineralogy, and thermomechanical behavior. • Hands-on experience with shaped refractory manufacturing and kiln operations. • Ability to interpret test data and link it to process behavior. • Ensure consistent product quality through strict adherence to SOPs and control plans. • Analytical and problem-solving skills • Excellent written and oral communication • Knowledge of refractory property – performance correlation. • Hands on experience in various testing and characterization methods pertaining to refractories. • Knowledge of quality standards (ISO, BIS, ASTM, DIN, EN) and certification processes. • Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizens, and TQM principles. • Strong cross functional collaboration, customer-oriented mindset with focus on performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.