Quality Assurance Manager

Soprema; Ennis (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SOPREMA in Ennis, Texas, seeks a Quality Assurance Manager to ensure high quality of raw materials, in-process materials and finished products. You will lead the laboratory team, develop and enforce QA procedures, and partner with production, sales and engineering to drive continuous improvement.

You must hold a degree in a chemical-related field, have 5+ years in manufacturing or QA labs, and possess strong SPC/Lean Six Sigma experience with excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, plastics, rubber, textile or related field.
• Minimum 5 years manufacturing or quality lab experience.
• Management experience preferred but not required.
• Statistical Process Control and Continuous Improvement knowledge.
• Lean Six Sigma Black or Green Belt training preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational abilities.
• Willingness to travel up to 15 days per year.

Responsibilities

• Assure high quality of finished product and raw materials.
• Plan, organize and train all laboratory employees.
• Lead lab 5S and maintain safe, organized work areas.
• Collaborate with Production, Sales, Manufacturing and QA teams.
• Manage QA budget, supplier quality and product releases.
• Support ISO 9001, 14001 and OSHAS 45001 programs.
• Investigate quality issues and drive corrective actions.
• Handle customer quality claims and product performance issues.
• Travel to job sites for inspections as needed.

Skills

Quality control

Team leadership

Communication

Lean Six Sigma

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field

Master’s or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

SOPREMA is a global leader in the manufacturing of innovative roofing, waterproofing, insulation, and building envelope solutions. With a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation, we have been delivering high-performance products for over 100 years. At SOPREMA, our people are at the heart of our success. We foster a collaborative, growth-oriented environment where employees are empowered to make an impact, develop their careers, and contribute to building a better future.

Join SOPREMA and become part of a global organization with a century of success and a commitment to continued growth and innovation.

The Quality Assurance Manager will be a self-driven, energetic and highly motivated individual who will assure the high quality of our finished products, through the inspection of raw materials, creation and verification against manufacturer specifications, and finished product designs. Manager will develop, equip and oversee the team and the activity of the department, as well as all related quality systems, in accordance with company and ISO requirements.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Assure high quality of finished product
• Manage all laboratory activity and provide assitance to employees under direct supervision
• Plan, organize and ensure training for all laboratory employees
• Encourage communication between employees and ensures good team spirit
• Immediately address any incidents / accidents in the workplace which causes harm or injury to personnel or the environment
• Participate in establishing selection criteria for new laboratory employees, and oversee interviews of potential candidates
• Actively collaborate with other U.S. Quality staff
• Provide technical support to sales, manufacturing, field technical, and other internal collaborators
• Ensure laboratory work areas are always clean, organized and safe. Lead local laboratory 5S efforts
• Ensure that all laboratory equipment function properly and safely, within the laboratory equipment calibration program
• Define and standardize tests, methods and instructions for the laboratory
• Maintain Quality Assurance database(s), perform trend analysis, and report on quality performance monthly
• Plan and ensure round-robin testing in collaboration with other SOPREMA plants
• Monitor and control Quality Assurance laboratory budget / spending
• Participate in the preparation of the annual Quality Assurance laboratory budget
• Manage GPAO operations, including managing product bill of materials at the plant level and approving vendors
• Manage supplier qualification program, including preparing and updating Raw Materials Schedule of Conditions and Supplier Claims
• Monitor and expedite resolution of non-conformities, corrective actions and preventive actions
• Manage all customer claims related to product performance and manufacturing defects
• Travel for job site inspections, as needed
• Serve as point of contact for Codes and Approval agency audits (Miami-Dade; UL; FM; etc.)
• Develop and implement ISO 9001 procedures, and ensure continuous improvement to such system
• Act as Management Representative, and ensure plant certification to the ISO 9001 standard; support representative for ISO 14001 and OSHAS 45001
• Participate in and/or leads internal Quality audits at various North American SOPREMA plants (travels as requested)
• Represent the plant at corporate Quality meetings and during external quality audits
• Support new product development and product optimization studies, including conducting and reporting on Production trials, and providing quality data to assist in updates of technical literature
• Plan and perform laboratory tests to verify conformity of raw materials and finished products to specifications
• Define and update inspection plans for raw materials, in-process product and finished product
• Ensure review of vendor certificates and laboratory inspection reports on raw materials
• Oversee release of raw materials for Production
• Downgrade raw materials and finished product deemed unsatisfactory, and recommend corrective actions to the Plant Manager
• Plan, coordinate, implement and monitor performance to ensure continuous production of products consistent with established standards
• Develop and analyze data and product specifications to determine present standards and establish proposed quality and reliability expectancy of finished product
• Review production inspection reports and laboratory inspection reports on finished products
• Oversee releases of finished product for shipping
• Ensure the systematic inspection of finished products inventoried for six (6) months or more
• Ensure timely inspection of finished products returned to the plant
• Actively collaborate daily with Production, including participation in Production meetings
• Investigate issues relating to Quality problems that arise from plant equipment problems & report findings to Plant Manager
• Plan and perform supplemental laboratory analysis, as needed, and inform Manager, Plant Manager or other collaborators of results in a timely manner
• Recommend technical or organizational enhancements in an effort to continuously improve product quality
• Identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings initiatives
• Special projects as outlined by Manager

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, plastics, rubber, textile or related field. Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Manufacturing and/or Quality Lab experience
• Management experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred, but not required.
• Statistical Process Control and Continuous Improvement knowledge
• Lean Six Sigma Black or Green Belt training preferred
• Excellent spoken and written communication abilities.
• Must be able to plan, manage and prioritize multiple work assignments while achieving high throughput and meeting communicated deadlines.
• Desire for continuing education (e.g., Master’s Degree, Lean Management, etc.)
• Microsoft Office proficient.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, computer skills.
• An action/results oriented individual, with strict attention to detail.
• Ability to demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Must have the ability to work effectively with all other levels of the organization, and have a demonstrated orientation to teamwork principles.
• Willlingness to travel up to 15 days per year.
• Willingness to accept limited evening and weekend work to accomplish project tasks.

Working Conditions and/or Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to work in laboratory and Production environments, including related chemicals and equipment.
• Must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to handle and lift heavy construction materials.
• Must be able to visit job sites that include the need to climb a ladder to access a roof, trench, or other locations with restricted physical access, as needed.