Quality Specialist

A. O. Smith Corporation; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A. O. Smith Corporation is seeking a QA professional to perform routine quality testing and drive continuous improvement across materials, in-process, and finished goods. You will coordinate with line personnel and supervisors to ensure compliance with quality standards and report defects and trends.

The role emphasizes data recording, QA audits, and collaboration with engineering and production teams to uphold product quality across multiple plants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering preferred
• Strong knowledge of Quality processes, procedures, and tools (SPC, Six Sigma, and Statistical Analysis)
• Familiar with ISO requirement
• Familiar with Lean Manufacturing
• Communication and leadership abilities
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to initiate change and continuous improvement
• Able to achieve goals and results
• Ability to work well with cross-functional team
• Ability to facilitate blitzs and meetings
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Responsibilities

• Performs routine tests on materials, goods in process, or finished goods matching quality standards.
• Notifies supervisor when inspection data exceed limits or major quality incidents occur.
• Records results on inspection forms or charts and reports defects.
• Maintains quality records and conducts QA-related clerical tasks.
• May act as scrap collector during QC inspections.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Quality processes

SPC

Six Sigma

Statistical analysis

Communication skills

Leadership abilities

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional teamwork

Initiate change

Continuous improvement

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

ISO requirements

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

Employee is responsible for performing all Quality related functions require. This employee will lead blitz/team activities, maintain and update action items generated by the activities, and lead QA projects/teams. Employee must communicate with upper management, peers, other department supervisors, engineers, etc. Employee will be responsible for manufacturing and/or Lab audits and reviews. To perform routine checks, tests, gaging, and instrument inspections of materials, goods in process, and finished goods.

Responsibilities

Performs assigned routine tests on materials, goods in process, or finished goods where results are compared with company quality standards. Reports results to line mechanic or supervisor who will make an analysis and take necessary action. Inspects visually for obvious defects. Performs detailed visual inspection when necessary to determine quality of product where limits are not clearly defined. Removes defectives and places acceptable product back on line. Notifies line supervisor when inspection data exceeds acceptable limits or when major incidents of poor quality are noted. Records results on inspection forms or charts and reports number of defects found. Posts and maintains forms and charts of inspection data, quality levels, or special quality studies. Makes recommendation on disposition of questionable product to supervisor. May act as quality control department clerk, maintaining all quality records for the facility. May act as scrap collector, touring the facility and removing tested and product samples from Q C inspection stations. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering preferred
• Strong knowledge of Quality processes, procedures, and tools (SPC, Six Sigma, and Statistical Analysis)
• Familiar with ISO requirement
• Familiar with Lean Manufacturing
• Communication and leadership abilities
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to initiate change and continuous improvement
• Able to achieve goals and results
• Ability to work well with cross-functional team
• Ability to facilitate blitzs and meetings
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Education

High School Diploma or GED

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.

ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.