Quality Manager - Dequincy, LA

Job Location:  Dequincy, LA

Position: Exempt / Salary

Reports To:  Plant Manager

Manages: Quality Lab Technicians

Job Overview:

Plays a key role in the development of the organization towards high quality standards and promotes and cultivates an organizational culture that supports and fosters quality excellence. Responsible for the Quality Management System and product quality of the Dequincy, LA plant including development, implementation, communication, and distribution of quality practices, standards, methodologies, and metrics. This is a salary position with responsibility of coverage to support multi shift operations; additional hours maybe required to support customers, plant operations, quality initiatives and completion of assigned projects. Travel to customers and other Asbury plant locations may be required on occasion.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The responsibility of the Quality Manager includes but is not limited to:

• Develop a cohesive high performing work team by leading the Employee Performance Development process to include goal setting, feedback and coaching, providing development planning and opportunities, and ensuring open communication channels.
• Work with local management to promote a culture of safety and clean work environment.
• Lead and facilitate process improvements and developing a mindset for excellence within plant operations by promoting Asbury’s culture of our Core Values and Quality policy.
• Assist in ensure all regulatory (Federal, State, and local) requirements are understood and implemented.
• Effectively communicating with Corporate Management the status of the plant performance through monthly dashboard reporting, phone conversations, emails, written reports, and through quality and plant metrics.
• Assure that all purchased material maintains traceability and is sampled and tested according to requirements verifying the Quality of the material and communicating results.
• Overseeing quality lab personnel and performing training as needed. Guide, energize and continuously develop Quality team skills and knowledge.
• Review daily production results to ensure product quality is being met. Assure all material produced is sampled and tested as required. Approve all material to be shipped reconciling any discrepancies.
• Assure nonconforming material is identified and properly labeled, tracked and analyzed for root cause.
• Daily operation of the lab including testing and general maintenance of the testing equipment.
• Maintain a corporate ISO9001 Quality Management System and perform training, record retention and continuous improvement to ensure effectiveness.
• Perform verification testing as scheduled on all testing equipment and maintain a verification database.
• Create certificates of analysis for all material shipped.
• Conducting Management reviews, reporting and analysis of monthly/quarterly performance.
• Handle deviation requests as needed.
• Perform purchase order specification review.
• Handle Customer issues as they arise by initiating and completing the Corrective Action process.
• Oversee and ensure timely processing of customer sample requests.
• Enter new grades, update specifications and typical product data.
• Travel to support QMS system training, internal audits, customer site visits and supplier audits.

Preferred Experience

• 5+ years in a quality manager role overseeing quality personnel
• Quality Engineering or Technical Degree 
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and the ability to institute lean manufacturing
• Current ASQ Quality Manager, or equivalent Certification
• Quality Engineering focus on problem solving
• Ability to lead and promote excellence 
• Well organized, precise with ability to build teams, collaborate and build consensus. 
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Visio
• Minitab SPC
• Knowledge  and practical use of a Laboratory Information Management System

Working Conditions

• Black graphite powder exposure, hazardous chemical exposure, get dirty, wears appropriate PPE including steel toed shoes, dust masks, hard-hat and safety glasses as required; has a positive attitude and enjoys working hard for a rewarding company.
• Fast paced environment requiring multi-tasking and ability to handle high stress situations.

Physical Requirements

• Pass a physical exam and drug screen
• Ability to be on your feet for long periods of time
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must use proper tools as required by the task
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

• Full time on site supporting multi –shift plant operations. Regular schedule – 5 days per week Monday through Friday – 8 to 10 hours per day. On call as needed after regular hours.
•  Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed

Key Result Area (KRA)

1. Continuous improvement project identification and completion to project schedule
2. Timely completion and analysis of monthly dashboard and action plans to address process goals
3. Prompt customer complaint response – as per goals established 
4. QC Lab Personnel Development through EPD process
5. Change control process oversight, initiation and assignment

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time with or without notice.