Lead Quality Assurance Technician

The Lead Facility Quality Assurance Technician is a specialized and critical position accountable for contributing to HarbisonWalker Internationals overall business performance by coordinating and leading the daily workflow of tasks executed by technicians in the quality lab. In conjunction with the Mgr, Facility Quality Assurance, the Lead Facility Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for ensuring all quality programs are in place and being adhered to including product inspection & testing, customer complaint and internal nonconformance investigation and corrective action, raw material evaluations, internal quality system audits, document and records control, product release\disposition, and lab equipment maintenance.

Essential Job Functions

Assisting and acting as back for the Mgr, Facility Quality Assurance in the following tasks - leading, developing, and coaching other Facility QA Technicians; supporting non-conformance investigations and corrective\preventive actions, leading\supporting internal quality system audits, supporting external quality system audit reviews, maintaining documents and records, maintaining lab equipment and acting as back up for Facility QA Technicians with daily tasks such as press checks, final inspections and finished goods testing

Conducting assigned laboratory research to develop new or improved products/processes/methods including documentation and reporting

Planning, listing and assisting plant and/or field trials and evaluating product properties or methods including documentation and reporting

Maintaining quality control inspection/testing database and assuring all data is entered correctly; reviewing, validating and analyzing daily quality assurance testing results and supporting product disposition as appropriate; preparing reports as required; monitoring trends in data and escalating problem patterns to management

Monitoring raw material and finished goods data and making decisions within established guidelines on batch formula adjustments. Ensuring any adjustments are reported/distributed in a timely manner.

Utilizing continuous improvement methodology to lead daily\weekly tier meetings in the quality lab, as well as participating in other site tier meetings, conduct process related quality observations (Process Quality Gemba process) and audits, and continuous improvement initiatives in support of the plant quality management system.

Scope of Responsibility: The Lead Facility Quality Assurance Technician is a strong team player responsible for the daily oversight of quality lab and lab technicians, product testing. The Lead Facility Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for driving and sustaining safety, quality and improvement programs and fostering an environment of accountability.

Decision Making: The Lead Facility Quality Assurance Technician is subject to general work instructions, analyzes and determines action to be taken within standard practice and procedure.

Communication: The Lead Facility Quality Assurance Technician determines action to be taken based on best practices, functional precedents and policies.

Authority: The Lead Facility Quality Assurance Technician receives general direction, plans own work requesting guidance when situation deviates from objectives. Areas of focus are at the plant level.

Education / Skills / Knowledge:

· Requires High School diploma or G.E.D equivalent with proven competency in math and sciences required; one (1) to two (2) years minimum of college education or technical training with demonstrated competence in math and science preferred

· Requires computer operation skills including, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

· Requires problem-solving and decision-making skills

· Requires excellent organizational skills with accurate and precise attention to detail

· Requires strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment

· Strong team player with the ability to teach others (coaching) and communicate effectively with all levels of the site organization

· Knowledge of refractory products and processes a plus

· Experience with Oracle ERP system a plus

Work Experience:

· Minimum one (1) to three (3) years previous experience in a flexible manufacturing environment quality inspection\testing role preferred; experiences in refractories (or similar) manufacturing operation strongly preferred

· Prior training and certification in quality related functions such as auditing a plus