Quality Team Leader

Area Lead

Specialty: Quality Assurance

Position Summary:

The Lead Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for ensuring the shift operations of the Quality Assurance department are conducted in accordance with procedures, standards, and priorities. In addition, the Lead Quality Assurance Technician will interact daily with production, shipping/receiving, and other departments to ensure established controls for product quality are maintained. The Lead is responsible for ensuring their team is well trained and competent in assigned skill levels.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists the QA supervisor in setting priorities for assignment of work to inspectors and ensuring tasks are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Adjust work assignments as priorities change to ensure production schedules and shipping requirements are met.
• Reviews product status in inspection – activities needed to meet shipping requirements. Ensure all testing is completed in a timely manner for shipping requirements.
• Conducts team meetings to relay information to Q.A. team members on their shift.
• Utilize job rotation to ensure Q.A. team members remain current in all areas.
• Reports unresolved problems to supervisor.
• Reviews inspection standards and procedures, and make recommendations for improvement/corrections as needed.
• Ensures safety standards are posted and followed by Quality Inspectors and others utilizing the lab.
• Monitors Q.A. Lab and work areas for team member compliance with safety guidelines (PPE equipment use, guards on machines, etc.)
• Reviews safety issues, bringing any needed changes to the attention of Q.A. Supervisor or HR Administrator.
• Ensures 5S is maintained by their team members to keep a clean and orderly work environment.
• Assists inspectors in resolving technical problems to include communication with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Production, etc. (Trouble shoot equipment problems)
• Works with Calibration Coordinator to maintain condition of calibrated equipment.
• Performs audits of production process and parts as scheduled.
• Assists, as needed, other team members in completion of Level 1 through Level 3 tasks.
• Provides training to team members (or assign training to Level 3) per departmental training procedure and checklist.
• Completes any special projects as may be directed by quality management.

Knowledge/Experience/Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: High School diploma or equivalent required plus 2 or more years of Quality Assurance or Quality Control experience and a manufacturing environment. Exposure or basic knowledge of currently quality principles and techniques. Possess basic math skills and be familiar with the metric system.

Competencies:

• Commitment to Safety: Understands encourages and carries out the principles of integrated safety management; complies with or oversees the compliance with Laboratory safety policies and procedures; completes all required ES&H training; takes personal responsibility for safety.
• Communication: Writes and speaks effectively, using conventions proper to the situation; states own opinions clearly and concisely; demonstrates openness and honesty; listens well during meetings and feedback sessions; explains reasoning behind own opinions; asks others for their opinions and feedback; asks questions to ensure understanding; exercises a professional approach with others using all appropriate tools of communication; uses consideration and tact when offering opinions.
• Reliability: Personally responsible; completes work in a timely, consistent manner; works hours necessary to complete assigned work; is regularly present and punctual; arrives prepared for work; is committed to doing the best job possible; keeps commitments.
• Problem Solving: Anticipates problems; sees how a problem and its solution will affect other units; gathers information before making decisions; weighs alternatives against objectives and arrives at reasonable decisions; adapts well to changing priorities, deadlines and directions; works to eliminate all processes which do not add value; is willing to take action, even under pressure, criticism or tight deadlines; takes informed risks; recognizes and accurately evaluates the signs of a problem; analyzes current procedures for possible improvements; notifies supervisor of problems in a timely manner.

Work Environment:

Work environment involves moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions (e.g., working around moving machines in production facilities) and protective clothing or gear such as safety glasses, gloves and safety shoes is required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands or arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.