Quality Assurance Analyst

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading manufacturer and supplier of specialty sorbent products for consumer and business-to-business markets that has been voted as a Top 100 workplaces in the Chicago Tribune. Oil-Dri’s products are sold in the pet care, animal health, fluids purification, agricultural, sports field, industrial and automotive markets. Oil-Dri controls millions of tons of specialty mineral reserves, including calcium bentonite, attapulgite, and diatomaceous shale. The company’s mines and manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, and California. Oil-Dri is a family-controlled and operated organization that emphasizes honesty, integrity, and accountability. The company is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to Create Value From Sorbent Minerals.

Role Overview

- Support Oil-Dri Corporation of America (ODCA) strategic Mission, Vision and the WE CARE values by utilizing quality/process improvement initiatives associated with ODCA’s business goals.

- Plan, develop and implement procedures for achieving ODCA’s Quality Management Plans and supporting the associated Quality Management System (QMS).

- Utilize QA/QC principles to maintain high capacity utilization and optimize manufacturing and service operations ensuring product and service meets customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

- Manufacturing/industrial background with the ability to understand quality systems, as established from industry standards. Qualified to apply inspection and test methods to determine product/service conformance

- Perform root cause analysis and leads corrective and preventive action initiatives.

- Perform and report results of quality audits/surveillance.

- Collect and analyze data to eliminate redundant or unnecessary processes and improve existing processes. Identifies and interprets trends in data and applies simple SPC techniques to acquire data.

- Finalize product inspection procedures and perform inspections when necessary.

- Support the establishment of quality related training programs and techniques.

- Maintain a well-organized document control/archival system for project quality documents.

- Generate Quality related procedures and specifications to support the ODCA Quality Management System (QMS).

- Assist in maintaining the Corrective and Preventive Action process and coordinating the process of issuing and closing open Corrective Action Request (CAR).

- Assist management to create and report on Metrics.

- Monitors inspection methods during receipt, in–process, and final inspections.

- Monitors calibration control activities to assure compliance to established standards.

- Perform other such duties as may be required.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

- Comply with all safety policies, practices and procedures and reporting all unsafe activities to Management and/or Human Resources.

- Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.

- Contribute to building a positive team spirit.

- Apply effective written and verbal communication.

- Protect confidential information by not communicating, disclosing, or using for benefit of 3rd parties.

- Travel (up to 25%) by land and/or air

Qualifications

Education:

- Associate's degree in a technical related field (preferable); or at least three (3) years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience in a manufacturing environment.

- Basic knowledge of the Process industry is desirable.

- The position requires certification as an American Society of Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA), ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT), ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and/or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), as determined by manager and/or annual goals.

- If certification is not held, it must be obtained within 24 months of employment in the role with first attempt within 12 months in the role.

Skills & Abilities:

- Knowledge of Quality processes/concepts, such as Management Review, pFMEA, Control Plans, Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Process Change Control, Corrective & Preventive Action, and Capability Methods & Requirements.

- Ability to create and revise standard operating procedures, process work instructions, and forms. Creating and revising process standards as needed.

- Experience in project management, modifications to equipment and manufacturing procedures is recommended.

- Ability to train teams that include Direct and/or Indirect labor in various analysis tools, directing changes to the manufacturing processes, improving material flow, and optimizing departmental layouts is required.

- Must be able to multi-task, prioritize, and delegate tasks readily.

- This position requires a good communicator who can lead co-workers at various levels.

Benefits

- 401(k) with 6% match (Fully Vested at 2 Years)

- Annual Incentive Bonus

- Annual Merit increase opportunity

- Employee Stock Purchase Plan

- Paid Holidays

- Paid Parental Leave

- Fitness & Gym Reimbursement

- Employer Contribution - Health, Dental, Vision

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading manufacturer and supplier of specialty sorbent products for consumer and business-to-business markets that has been voted as a Top 100 workplaces in the Chicago Tribune. Oil-Dri’s products are sold in the pet care, animal health, fluids purification, agricultural, sports field, industrial and automotive markets. Oil-Dri controls millions of tons of specialty mineral reserves, including calcium bentonite, attapulgite, and diatomaceous shale. The company’s mines and manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, and California. Oil-Dri is a family-controlled and operated organization that emphasizes honesty, integrity, and accountability. The company is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to Create Value From Sorbent Minerals.