Quality Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title : Quality Specialist

Department : Quality Assurance/Quality Control

Reports To : Quality Manager

FLSA : Non Exempt

Reporting to this position: None

Summary: Support all ISO, testing and 5S activities for the Quality Department including testing product batches and making recommendation for adjustments, as necessary, to ensure compliance with customer specifications and quality standards, maintain raw material documentation from suppliers and retain files and samples for specified period of time in accordance with quality, customer and environmental, health and safety standards

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Comply with all environmental, health, safety and quality standards
• Initiate or suggest ideas and support continuous improvement efforts in all areas of organization including quality and environmental, health and safety

• Support all ISO activities to include surveillance and certification audits
• Initiate investigations for Quality issues both internal and external
• Perform root cause analysis on defects with aid of production team
• Implement corrective/preventive actions for Quality issues
• Follow up with CA/PA activities to ensure effectiveness
• Carry out continuous improvement activities
• Work closely with Production Team on Quality Issues
• Issue and maintain Quality Alerts
• Make disposition of product placed on hold and manage nonconforming material throughout the process

• Operate test equipment
• Backup up Quality Coordinator with ERP data entry including Certificates of Analysis and any statistical data required
• Perform tests on assigned product line production batches to ensure compliance with quality requirements
• Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations to Quality Manager on appropriateness of data for release
• Perform visual inspections of finished products
• Perform raw material testing, as necessary
• Identify opportunities for improvement for Quality/Production issues in production processes
• Support 5S in all QC testing areas
• Maintain and create QC related work instructions
• Complete and maintain all required paperwork, records, documents, including test data
• Ensure all gauges and test equipment are calibrated and maintained
• Promote and maintain team effectiveness and morale as demonstrated by positive actions, attitudes and judgment
• Support other departmental functions as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate’s Degree preferred and 5+ years related work experience preferred to include knowledge of production and processing
• Ability to read/comprehend written and oral instructions in English; read and comprehend safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, technical lab procedure manuals and product recipes/material identifications
• Ability to write legibly to keep records and to correspond
• Good math skills with ability to measure, calculate and convert
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization
• Matching proficiency, including the ability to color match
• Manual dexterity sufficient to use a wide variety of standard lab equipment
• Ability to problem solve
• Computer proficiency to include Word and Excel
• Strong focus on follow-up and attention to detail
• Ability to work any schedule
• Ability to travel as needed
• Ability to obtain Fork Lift Operator's License
• Employee must be able to relate to other people beyond giving and receiving instructions:

(a). can get along with co-workers or peers without exhibiting behavioral extremes;

(b). perform work activities requiring negotiating, instructing, persuading or speaking with others;

(c). respond appropriately to criticism from a supervisor

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:

• Frequently required to sit, talk or hear
• Frequently required to walk or stand
• Occasionally required to balance or stoop
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 55 pounds

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision including concentrated vision for long periods of time, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment:

• Exposure to changes in temperature, dust, fumes and chemicals.
• Exposure to moderately loud noise while in the plant.
• Exposure to low noise levels while in the lab.
• Personal protective equipment required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to a diverse workforce.