Quality Manager

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations Support

- Act as change agent and work closely with peers from Operations, R&D, and all other functions to drive a preventive quality culture.

- Ongoing technical support for all manufacturing and inspection operations of premium connections to resolve multi-discipline problems.

- Generate or revise QA documents and procedures as needed. Review and approve documents generated by QA engineers.

- Ensure that all personnel are trained in applicable instructions, specifications, process requirements, gaging techniques, and procedures.

- Review customer specifications/requirements to evaluate capability and develop quality plans as needed.

- Responsible for the deployment and administration of corporate Quality Programs as they relate to his/her location.

- Monitor and approve for acceptability, stress relief and buck-on graphs from in-house or sub-contract process.

- Review work order packets for accuracy and acceptability.

- Communicate with Customers, Subcontractors and vendors concerning quality issues.

- Support Internal and External QMS and process Audits as needed.

Quality Process Improvement

- Collect appropriate data and use advanced problem-solving techniques such as process capability, SPC, FMEA and Design of Experiments to isolate and reduce sources of variation and to prevent defects and resolve production and quality issues.

- Initiate and manage quality improvement and defect reduction projects.

- Utilize Six Sigma and other Continuous Improvement tools to reduce variation of key process indicators, mitigate rework, reduce cost, and improve quality. Actively promote and implement a ‘Lean’ culture focusing on employee empowerment and continuous improvement through elimination of the 8-wastes.

- Use knowledge of product and inspection/testing requirements to collect data and perform evaluation when customer issues arise.

- Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies to address customer claims and drive timely closure of internal and external CAR’s and NCR’s.

- Support project activities and product industrialization by working with VAM USA R&D, methods department and external suppliers and organizations.

Supervision of People

- Supervise and support assigned QA personnel.

- Handle personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues, etc.

- Set clear performance expectations for his/her team and lead the team to deliver through coaching and positive management.

- Assess skill gaps and implement development plans to ensure all personnel are trained and qualified for applicable process requirements, techniques, and procedures.

- Perform skill training and qualifications as needed.

- Ensure conformance to all company policies, practices, and regulations to include Quality and Safety.

- Promote effective communication vertically and horizontally within the organization.

- Must follow all company policies, practices, and regulations to include Quality and Safety.

- Any other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Required

- Bachelor’s degree in quality engineering or in another engineering discipline with quality experience

- Minimum five years of quality or production leadership experience

Preferred

- Master’s degree in engineering, Business Management, or related field

- Lead auditor training (ISO 9001, API Q1)

- ASQ - Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

- Six Sigma certification or training

Required

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

- Strong quality/process/operations engineering background in manufacturing environment.

- Experience in a machining operation is desired.

- Proficient in wide range of problem-solving tools and methods, including Six Sigma Methodology and advanced statistics

- Has extensive, in-depth knowledge of quality requirements and systems.

- The individual must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, and PowerPoint.

- Proficiency using statistical analysis software, (Minitab is preferred)

- Highly motivated, willingness to dig into situations and work with all functions of the business. The ability to work in diverse groups to achieve a common goal is critical to the success of this position.

- Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization

- Capable of working independently in a self-directed environment

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

- Experience with ISO9001 and API Q1 standards

- Experience with API 5CT, API 5CRA, API, 5B

- Knowledge of OCTG and premium connections

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES & CAPABILITIES:

The position will require demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to concisely communicate objectives and results to reach targeted goals. Strong understanding of and flexibility to work on quality assurance/process control principles.

- Teamwork

- Adaptability

- Accountability

- Reliability/dependability

- Initiative

- Safety awareness

- Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback

- Pride in performance

- Continuous Improvement/Quality