Quality Technician

Nippon Light Metal Georgia, Inc. (NLM) is seeking Quality Technicians to support our growing manufacturing operation in Adairsville, Georgia. As we continue building the foundation of our company, this position plays a critical role in ensuring products meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards throughout the manufacturing process.

NLM is a comprehensive aluminum manufacturer with capabilities ranging from raw materials to fabricated aluminum products. Our goal is to support continued growth and business expansion by creating new value for our customers.

The Quality Technician is responsible for inspecting products, monitoring manufacturing processes, conducting testing, maintaining quality documentation, and verifying compliance with customer specifications and company standards. This position requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, analytical thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Core Company Expectations:

All employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to safety.
• Produce quality products that meet customer expectations.
• Treat coworkers with respect and professionalism.
• Support teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Follow company policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Maintain confidentiality and foster a respectful workplace free from gossip, harassment, and unprofessional conduct.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include but not limited to:

General Responsibilities:

• Perform assigned duties while supporting the company's objectives for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale (SQDCM).
• Participate in continuous improvement activities that enhance product quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment by following the principles of 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain).
• Collaborate effectively with production, engineering, maintenance, and other departments to resolve quality concerns and support manufacturing objectives.
• Maintain accurate quality records, inspection reports, testing documentation, and other required records in accordance with company procedures.
• Report quality concerns, nonconforming products, unsafe conditions, and process deviations immediately to the appropriate supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Inspection and Testing Responsibilities:

• Conduct first-part inspections following forge start-up and die changes to verify product conformance before production continues.
• Perform billet etch inspections and approve material for processing or notify supervision when material does not meet established quality standards.
• Measure flash extension after trimming to verify compliance with engineering specifications and process requirements.
• Perform tensile testing to verify material integrity and ensure compliance with product specifications.
• Review tensile test results and approve heat treat baskets for continued processing when quality requirements have been satisfied.
• Conduct Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) inspections following the dye penetrant process to verify dimensional compliance.
• Perform prototype inspections and measurements to validate new products, tooling, and process changes.
• Conduct routine production audits and random line inspections to verify compliance with established quality standards.
• Evaluate production concerns and provide technical support regarding product acceptability in accordance with established quality procedures.
• Stop production and notify supervision when products or processes do not meet established quality standards.
• Support customer audits, internal audits, and quality system audits as assigned.

Measurement Equipment and Calibration Responsibilities:

• Maintain measuring and testing equipment by performing scheduled calibration activities and routine verification of measurement accuracy.
• Perform daily inspections of gauges, measuring devices, and inspection equipment to ensure proper operation and reliability.
• Remove measuring equipment from service when calibration or verification results indicate that equipment does not meet required accuracy standards.
• Coordinate calibration activities and maintain calibration records to ensure compliance with company and customer requirements.
• Verify that all inspection equipment remains accurate, properly identified, and available to support production requirements.

Documentation and Quality Systems Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate scrap logs, incoming inspection records, hold area documentation, and other quality records in accordance with company procedures.
• Manage nonconforming materials by maintaining the hold area and ensuring proper identification, segregation, and documentation of rejected products.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain Statistical Process Control (SPC) data for chemical composition, tensile testing, and other quality characteristics to support process monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Create, revise, and maintain quality documents, inspection procedures, work instructions, forms, and controlled documentation as assigned.
• Maintain complete inspection records and supporting documentation to ensure product traceability and compliance with customer requirements.

Continuous Improvement Responsibilities:

• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action activities to eliminate recurring quality concerns.
• Recommend improvements to inspection methods, quality procedures, testing processes, and manufacturing practices that improve product quality and operational efficiency.
• Support Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, and other continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
• Monitor quality trends and communicate opportunities for process improvement to supervisors and management.
• Assist in developing and implementing improvements that strengthen the company's quality management system and promote long-term operational excellence.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and CMM equipment.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of quality systems.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, stand, use hands to manipulate, handle and feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• The employee must be able to speak and hear and must occasionally lift or move up to 15 pounds.
• The employee may enter the non-climate-controlled plant or warehouse where temperatures can be extremely hot or cold depending on the weather.
• This position requires work in both a manufacturing environment and an office setting and routinely uses computers, measuring equipment, testing instruments, and standard office equipment.
• Must be able to wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed footwear, gloves, arc-flash PPE, and any other required protective equipment.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Work Experience: Listed below are the minimum and/or desired qualifications of the position including education, work experience and knowledge & skills that are required to perform satisfactorily in the position:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Previous manufacturing quality experience preferred.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments preferred.
• Experience with SPC, CMM, or inspection software preferred.
• Lean manufacturing experience preferred.

Attributes/skills:

• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize, schedule, and review work.
• Ability to maintain close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of quality systems and inspection processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Experience using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, CMM equipment, and other precision measuring instruments.
• Kaizen and Continuous Improvement knowledge preferred.