Quality Control Manager- Allendale, SC

Hampton Lumber is a thriving family-owned company aspiring to be North America's preferred source for responsibly-sourced wood solutions. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, we operate nine sawmills in Western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. We also manage timberland and operate a wholesale and import/export division.  

Our mission is to grow, manufacture, and market renewable wood products and deliver innovative solutions for a more sustainable built environment. At Hampton Lumber, we accomplish this through our own operations as well as those of our affiliates—Trapa Forest Products, Idaho Timber, and RedBuilt. Our tagline, "Find a better way every day," encapsulates our commitment to innovation and improvement across all operations.
 

We are guided by our core values: 

• Safety – Prioritize safety across all operations.
• Integrity & Authenticity – Operate honestly and ethically while preserving our distinctive family-owned brand.
• Responsible Stewardship – Endeavor to balance and maintain economic, social, and environmental values in everything we do.
• Tenacity – Embrace challenges with grit, determination, and a can-do spirit. 
• Continuous Improvement – Strive to enhance our processes, products, and people.
• Customer Satisfaction – Be nimble, responsive, and solutions-oriented.
• Community Engagement – Be a responsive, supportive, and respected member of the community.

With over 80 years in the sawmill business, we are proud to have cultivated the knowledge and experience needed to grow and prosper, even in challenging times.  We always look to the future and invest in our people, new technologies, and continuous improvement processes and techniques. 

The Quality Control Manager will be responsible for establishing and leading all quality systems for Hampton Lumber’s new, state-of-the-art sawmill. This role will develop the plant’s quality standards, inspection procedures, and training programs to ensure all lumber produced meets customer expectations, grading agency requirements, and company performance targets. The QC Manager will play a critical role in mill startup, certification, and continuous improvement.

• Substantial company-paid assistance for Medical and Dental insurance premiums; mental health coverage; cost effective co-pays and deductibles
• 401(k) with 5% annual company contribution and generous company matching contributions vested over three years
• Paid time off, including eight paid holidays
• Participation in the employee bonus program
• Employee wellness program that includes free counseling sessions, financial and legal guidance, and more
• Opportunities for paid training to support career advancement and personal development

Startup & System Development

• Design and implement the mill’s quality control program from the ground up, including inspection points, documentation, and data tracking systems.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for grading, size control, moisture measurement, finished product and package appearance.
• Work with operations and engineering teams during commissioning to calibrate equipment and validate product specifications.
• Establish relationships and certification processes with the appropriate grading agency.

Training & Certification

• Train and participate Supervision and mill personnel.
• Provide hands-on training for production operators to understand quality requirements and their role in meeting them.
• Build a mill-wide quality culture through communication, visual management, and accountability.

Product Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct product inspections, monitor recovery and performance, and drive corrective actions as needed.
• Use statistical data and feedback loops to improve product consistency, recovery, and value yield.
• Work closely with kiln and planermill personnel to optimize drying and finishing for target moisture, size, and appearance.
• Lead root cause analyses on defects, off-grade product, or customer complaints, and ensure corrective/preventive measures are sustained.

Startup Collaboration

• Participate in startup readiness reviews and ramp-up planning with corporate and onsite leadership.
• Provide input on equipment calibration, optimization parameters, and process control standards.
• Support startup trials, certification runs, and customer qualification shipments.

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain documentation to meet agency and customer audit requirements.
• Track quality KPIs (grade outturn, moisture compliance, trim loss, recovery) and present reports to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with grading rules, safety standards, and company policies.

• Bachelor’s degree in Wood Science, Forestry, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience accepted.
• Minimum 5 years of lumber quality experience with at least 2 in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Certified Lumber Grader (SPIB or equivalent) required or ability to obtain certification.
• Experience participating in or leading a sawmill startup highly desirable.
• Proven ability to establish systems, train teams, and drive improvement.
• Strong communication, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and/or data analysis tools.

Key Competencies

• System builder mindset
• Leadership and training capability
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making
• Technical understanding of grading, drying, and planing
• Continuous improvement and problem-solving
• Cross-functional collaboration

The timber and wood products industry is a vital part of many communities, and we’re excited to bring new opportunities to Allendale County, South Carolina. We are committed to supporting the local workforce, investing in training and development, and being active members of the communities where we operate. Many of our employees have built long, rewarding careers with us, and we look forward to welcoming new team members to our family.

Learn more at Hamptonlumber.com, follow us on Facebook & Instagram: @hamptonlumber

Hampton Lumber is an equal opportunity employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by law. 

Disability accommodation available: If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office for the location that you are applying.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see these government posters: EEO is the Law and its accompanying temporary supplement.