Lead Quality Auditor
Company Overview
Come join a winning Team! Since 1970 Plastic Express has met the bulk trucking, bulk terminal, packaging, and warehousing needs of the plastics industry. Our strategic locations, modern systems, and dedicated employees allow us to provide custom tailored logistical solutions to fulfill the most challenging needs of our customers. Plastic Express operates from 22 full-service facilities, more than 40 bulk terminals, and 52 railcar terminals offering more than 8,500 railcar spots across the country. We are located near 9 major ports in the U.S. and rely heavily on our rail infrastructure to handle imports /exports as well as regional distribution. At many of the Plastic Express sites, we also handle some non-plastic commodities, which include; paper rolls, steel, building materials and other dry bulk materials. Plastic Express owns and operates roughly 250 trucks, with approximately 250 trailers performing full bulk truck distribution business. Plastic Express is headquartered in Houston, TX and has over 600 employees nationwide. Our goal has always been to exceed our customer's expectations, and our can do-attitude is what differentiates us from the competition.
Plastic Express employees have always been our key to success and total customer satisfaction. We are always looking for dependable & talented business professionals that will help us to grow and to continue our “Can Do” tradition.
Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Job Summary:
The Lead Quality Auditor at Plastic Express works under the direction of and in close collaboration with the Quality Director to review processes, procedures, work instructions, and training aids in order to develop and conduct process-based audits across the enterprise. This position supports the Quality Director in designing audit questions, scoring systems, and audit schedules that reflect the size of operations, the volume of valid complaints, and incident trends.
While the Quality Director leads the overall audit program, the Lead Quality Auditor plays a supporting and coordinating role, serving as a bridge between onsite operations and corporate Quality. The Lead Quality Auditor collaborates with regional auditing teams to ensure consistent application of audit standards, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen alignment with the Plastic Express Quality Management System (QMS) and ISO 9001 principles.
This role requires strong analytical skills, the ability to translate processes into measurable audit criteria, and effective communication with managers, supervisors, and auditors across company regions. Success in this position depends on working cross-functionally and taking a proactive approach to building a culture of compliance, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Essential Functions/Duties:
- Assist in developing and maintaining the audit program schedule for all Plastic Express locations, with emphasis on process-based auditing.
- Work with the Quality Director to review processes, procedures, work instructions, and training aids to ensure audits are aligned with and support actual operations.
- Support the development of audit checklists, questions, tools, and scoring methodologies for consistency and effectiveness.
- Coordinate and participate in audits of bulk trucking terminals, rail terminals, and warehouses in assigned regions.
- Conduct on-site and remote audits to evaluate compliance with QMS procedures, ISO standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations.
- Document audit findings, prepare detailed reports, and provide results to the Quality Director for review and follow-up.
- Track audit findings through resolution by coordinating with site management to ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are completed effectively.
- Work with regional trainers to review and revise SOPs, ensuring alignment with actual practices and audit results.
- Collaborate with the Training Department to develop training programs for managers, supervisors, and employees, based on audit outcomes.
- Contribute to the development of online training courses to ensure digital content accurately reflects procedures and supports consistent compliance.
- Provide support to site managers in preparing for customer and ISO audits, and assist during the audit process as directed by the Quality Director.
- Partner with site leadership to verify adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Operation Clean Sweep Blue, and other quality/environmental programs.
- Under the guidance of the Quality Director, analyze audit data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for deliberate and systematic improvement.
- Ensure audit results are incorporated into Management Review inputs, supporting the Quality Director in continuous improvement initiatives.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the Quality Department’s mission.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Quality Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of auditing experience in quality management, logistics, warehousing, or transportation.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 standards and process-based auditing.
- Experience in auditing bulk trucking, rail, and/or warehouse operations.
- Previous supervisory or lead auditor experience.
- Ability to sit, walk, and stand for long periods during audits.
- Ability to lift up to 55 lbs. as needed during warehouse, rail, or trucking audits.
- Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors in varied conditions.
- Must possess ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification (or willing to obtain within first 6 months).
- Leadership & Team Management – Able to lead, mentor, and coordinate auditing team members across multiple regions; fosters accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Training & Coaching – Skilled in teaching managers, supervisors, and dispatchers on company policies, procedures, and best practices; able to translate audit findings into effective, practical training, and operational improvement.
- Process Auditing Expertise – Strong knowledge of process-based auditing with the ability to evaluate compliance, identify gaps, and verify corrective actions.
- Communication – Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; able to clearly explain complex requirements, write professional audit reports, and present findings and recommendations to site leadership and customers as applicable.
- Customer & Stakeholder Engagement – Experienced in supporting and participating in customer audits; able to serve as a knowledgeable liaison between customers, operations, and the Quality team.
- Policy & Procedure Development – Proficient in reviewing, revising, and improving policies and procedures to ensure alignment with company standards, ISO requirements, and industry best practices.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving – Strong ability to analyze audit data, identify root causes, and recommend corrective/preventive actions that are practical and sustainable.
- Adaptability & Organization – Highly organized, able to manage multiple audits and training initiatives concurrently, while adapting quickly to operational changes and/or new requirements.
Work Environment:
- Must be able to operate in an office environment, and perform audits in warehouses, trucking terminals, and rail yards.
- This is a full-time position. Work week is typically Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Must be able to work/travel additional hours as needed, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Must be willing and able to travel frequently within the United States in order to conduct audits, inspections, and site visits, as well as to attend relevant conferences, workshops, and training.
- Travel requirements may be extensive — up to 20+ weeks per year — depending on business needs and audit schedules.
- Family health benefit packages - after 90 days
- Vacation pay - after 90 days
- Holiday pay - after 90 days
- Company matching 401k retirement program - after 90 days
*Please note: Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the job description may not be considered for an interview.*
Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted and/or changed at any time at the discretion of management.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
In line with Plastic Express’ Environmental Promise, the hired individual is expected to enthusiastically support all facets of Operation Clean Sweep; specifically, making a conscious effort to prevent pellet, flake and powder loss into the environment and ensure any spills are swiftly and effectively cleaned up.