Description

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Engineering/Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for managing Engineering and Quality staff in support of Panel Plant and Components Plant operations. Reporting to the Vice President - Manufacturing the position will directly participate in, as well as direct, process and plant engineering, quality assurance, product development and testing, claims and complaints dispositioning, process and product improvement, and waste reduction activities. Additionally, this position oversees Controls Programming/Engineering as well as Environmental Engineering. The Engineering/Quality Assurance Manager will work closely with Plant Managers, operations personnel, Maintenance, Procurement, Sales and other staff to effectively support States’ goals for safety, quality and manufacturing. The primary focus of the role is defining and executing process and quality requirements to assure customer satisfaction and minimize waste. This is a leadership position to manage and support staff to achieve those desired outcomes. The successful candidate will be an experienced hands-on engineer (preferably Manufacturing, Industrial, Process, Mechanical) with a firm understanding of Quality Assurance tools and methodologies. They will also possess advanced knowledge of Statistical Process Control, Lean Manufacturing, and a desire to drive on quality improvement. The successful candidate must be competent with standard software tools, data analysis, budgeting and cost-benefit analysis. In addition, they must be a personable team player with the ability to work with, and across, all functional boundaries. We are looking for a person who believes in growth through teamwork, Lean thinking, customer focus, continuous improvement, and a strong will to make the business better today than it was yesterday. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Hands-on plant and process engineering, with ability to provide innovative solutions to problems and improvement opportunities.
• Manage a team currently consisting of the following roles: Environmental Engineer, Control Programmer/Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Control Engineer.
• Effectively manage priorities and provide guidance to Engineering and Quality staff.
• Create and drive a company-wide focus on customer satisfaction on States’ product quality via customer claims and complaints resolution, cause & corrective action methods, and customer satisfaction metrics to the organization.
• Provide, promote and implement a vision for an improved Quality Assurance and Process Improvement program.
• Work among Engineering/Quality, Operations, and Maintenance departments to identify and implement quality failure reduction, waste reduction, and process improvement.
• Innovate and support Capital Improvement projects, including equipment design and specification, cost/benefit analysis, implementation and training.
• Become a leader in the organization with data mining and reporting, statistical analysis, problem solving, and continuous improvement activities. 
• Become an expert and leader in product engineering.
• Responsible for product performance compliance including CARB and EPA Formaldehyde standards as well as ANSI/HPVA HP-1 panel performance requirements.
• Rapidly gain expertise with Microsoft D365 ERP system.  Work on targeted system improvements to create better information flow to/from the manufacturing shop floor.
• Develop material specifications, incoming inspections, and testing requirements with supporting processes.
• Develop, manage, support and/or maintain effective operating procedures and guidelines to support process standardization and training.
• Develop and manage department budget.

Qualifications

NECESSARY SKILLS

• Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills.
• Capability to model, design and specify manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Innovative problem solver.
• Firm understanding of Quality Assurance tools and methodologies Strong knowledge of Statistical Process Control, Lean Manufacturing concepts and tools.
• Ability to lead quality improvement, process optimization and waste reduction activities.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks and projects to completion with minimal oversight and while balancing competing priorities while developing/updating standardized frameworks for others to follow.
• Competent with standard software tools, data analysis, budgeting and cost-benefit analysis
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including communication of information and support in establishing specifications and procedures.
• Ability to manage complex compliance requirements and develop processes to assure compliance.
• Ability to represent States Industries well in contact with Customers and Vendors. 
• Capability to relate well to operating and managing personnel in a team-based environment.
• The ability to effectively lead staff to achieve desired outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement of company and self.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Experienced practitioner of Lean concepts and tools, including: Kaizen, TWI, 5S, VSM, SMED, DMAIC, etc.
• Working knowledge of Process Control methods/techniques
• Familiarity with machining, assembly and process operations/industries.
• Knowledge of hardwood plywood manufacturing processes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Engineering degree from an accredited college or university focusing on Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical or similar engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5-10 years of experience in an industrial environment or equivalent is required. 
• Experience Managing or Supervising staff.
• Career goals should include management of people and processes within a manufacturing environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Primarily an office position.
• Role includes some time in manufacturing environments daily or weekly depending on circumstances.
• Occasional travel.