Quality Manager

Quality Manager Position at Celgard

Celgard, LLC is seeking a Quality Manager to oversee the quality assurance processes and the quality team. The incumbent will ensure that Celgard products meet both internal and external requirements. This role is based at our Charlotte, NC plant.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead the personnel, resources, and operational processes of the Quality Department, consisting of Quality Engineers and Quality Laboratory staff, within a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
• Provide leadership and assists team in troubleshooting quality issues and resolving customer complaints / internal issues and ensures corrective actions identified through problem resolution efforts remain effective.
• Support the startup and implementation of a new coating and slitting operation, including the introduction of new testing equipment, quality processes, and a Quality Management System (QMS) to support the evolving business model.
• Monitor process capability and implement lean / six sigma projects. Develop and audit corrective / preventive actions for customer complaints.
• Manage employee performance through goal setting, performance expectations, reviews, ongoing feedback, coaching, development planning, and corrective actions. Establish and maintain sustainable training, evaluation, and development programs to ensure quality department personnel meet certification requirements and performance standards.
• Lead the alignment of Celgard systems and processes to meet automotive industry requirements.
• Manage internal process audits and lead external IATF/customer audits.
• Develop and ensure compliance with Advance Product Quality Planning (APQP). Oversee development of PPAP's/PSW & external qualification package for new products.
• Utilize tools such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), data analysis to identify trends, root cause analysis, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and other problem-solving tools.
• Lead the Material Review Board process, process design reviews, and product / process qualification.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the Production, Maintenance, Warehouse and Process Engineering Departments to monitor product and process quality implications of all raw material, process, and product related trials and changes.
• Oversee the contamination control program and drives process improvements to enhance quality and operational efficiency.
• Collect, analyze, and report quality performance data, preparing comprehensive reports for management, corporate leadership, and other key stakeholders.
• Continuously develop management and technical competencies to enhance job performance and prepare for increased responsibilities and future leadership opportunities.
• Leads customer tours as needed to support the Charlotte plant and promote positive customer relationships.
• Facilitate quality stand-down meetings with all manufacturing crews, fostering employee engagement and accountability to improve customer quality performance and reduce recurring issues.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree is required. Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field required is strongly preferred.
• Certifications through American Society for Quality (ASQ) is preferred (i.e., CQE, CQA, CQM/OE)
• 7+ years' experience with quality systems in a manufacturing environment is required, preferably in the automotive industry.
• Must be familiar with APQP and PPAP methodologies.
• 4+ years of experience leading a team of professionals and technicians is required.
• Experience working with ISO9001 is required and IATF 16949 is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with blown film or plastics manufacturing is preferred.
• Experience leading internal/external audits is required.
• Thorough practical knowledge of statistics, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is required.
• Experience with a statistical software package is required; Mini-tab experience is a plus.
• Lean Manufacturing experience is preferred.

Key Attributes:

• Must demonstrate initiative, analytical skills, a sense of urgency, and a strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated competency in decision making and adaptability in a rapidly changing work environment is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills -- listening, written communication, and public speaking skills are required.
• Must demonstrate team organization, leadership, and facilitation skills.
• Must have a passion for developing the quality team and growing their careers.

Travel:

• Must be able and willing to travel up to 10% domestically and abroad for training, supporting operational initiatives, and collaborating with teams across company locations.

Availability:

• Must be willing to work after hours to support 24/7 operation, which will require coordinating coverage with a team. This position also requires work outside normal business hours on occasion to support international customers.

Working Environment:

• This position is in a manufacturing plant setting that would require working in a production environment around chemicals. Work will require standing and walking for up to 80% of the time. Lighting and temperature are adequate. You may be required to lift up to 35 pounds and/or force necessary to push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Celgard manufacturing sites are IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certified.