Description

Quality Associate (2nd Shift, Full-Time, Onsite only)

$22.00–$27.00/hour + $1.50/hour Shift Premium

Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 2:00pm–12:00am

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Quality Assurance Manager, the Quality Associate I supports product quality and customer satisfaction through the inspection, testing, evaluation, documentation, and disposition of customer-returned and incoming product. This role performs cylinder testing and teardown, assists with warranty processing, first-piece inspections, gage calibration, nonconformance reporting, supplier communication, audits, and quality-system activities, and collaborates with customers, suppliers, Production, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues, implement corrective actions, control costs, and drive continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist with processing customer-returned product from receipt through evaluation, disposition, rework, and closure in accordance with customer and internal requirements.

2. Review return information, verify product condition and traceability, and coordinate containment or escalation when potential quality or safety risks are identified.

3. Perform cylinder testing, teardown, and evaluation to verify performance, identify failure modes or nonconforming conditions, document findings, and support disposition, and corrective-action.

4. Manage warranty costs by tracking customer debits, validating charges, reconciling supporting information, and maintaining accurate warranty cost records.

5. Assist with completion of detailed warranty reports that document product condition, investigation findings, root cause, corrective actions, rework performed, and associated costs.

6. Travel to customer locations as required to conduct onsite analysis of parts, document findings, coordinate containment or corrective actions, and communicate results to appropriate customer and internal teams.

7. Lead and support cross-functional continuous-improvement projects that reduce warranty claims, rework, scrap, process variation, and cost while improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

8. Standardize successful improvements by coordinating updates to work instructions, inspection plans, training materials, and related quality documentation, and monitor changes to ensure gains are sustained.

9. Support compliance with applicable quality management system requirements, customer-specific requirements, and established company procedures.

10. Support Engineering with reverse-engineering activities and other new-customer development projects, including product evaluation, documentation, and cross-functional coordination as needed.

11. Assist with first-piece inspections when required, including verifying product conformance to applicable drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.

12. Perform receiving inspections of incoming materials and components, including reviewing applicable drawings and specifications, verifying dimensions and documentation, recording inspection results, and identifying or escalating nonconforming product in accordance with established procedures.

13. Complete nonconformance reports (NCRs) accurately and in a timely manner, document findings and disposition activities, and communicate with suppliers as required to obtain supporting information, coordinate containment or corrective action, and resolve quality issues.

14. Assist with gage calibration activities, including coordinating calibration schedules, maintaining calibration records, verifying calibration status, and identifying or escalating out-of-tolerance equipment in accordance with established procedures.

15. Support internal and customer audits, quality-system activities, special projects, and other departmental needs as assigned.

MARGINAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist with completion, review, and submission of Quality documentation, including Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) packages and other customer-required documentation.

2. Assist Production with troubleshooting manufacturing and product issues, supporting rapid problem solving, containment, root-cause identification, and timely resolution.

3. Assist with scanning, organizing, and filing completed job routings and receiving paperwork to support accurate and timely record retention.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Associate degree in Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

2. At least one year of experience in warranty, quality, manufacturing, customer service, or a related industrial environment preferred.

3. Experience with customer returns, nonconforming material, rework coordination, corrective action, and cost tracking preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

No specific license is required. Quality-related certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Technician, ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, or formal problem-solving and root-cause-analysis training are preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

1. Working knowledge of warranty processes, quality systems, nonconforming product controls, and corrective-action methods.

2. Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, work instructions, inspection results, and customer requirements.

3. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root-cause analysis and data-based decision-making.

4. Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate issues clearly to production employees, cross-functional partners, customers, and leadership.

5. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple claims, priorities, deadlines, and follow-up actions.

6. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using ERP, quality-management, or warranty-tracking systems.

7. Ability to work collaboratively, maintain accurate records, protect confidential customer information, and demonstrate sound judgment.

8. Hydraulics aptitude desired.

9. Working knowledge of metrology equipment, including the proper use of common precision measurement tools and interpretation of measurement results.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING:

All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete pre-employment screening, which includes a background check and drug screening. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all required screening.

What You’ll Love About Working Here

We offer a full, comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family, including:

Paid Time Off (PTO)
10 paid holidays
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
HSA and FSA options
Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
Company-paid Short-term disability (STD)
Company-paid Long-term disability (LTD)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
401k
Benefit eligibility begins on the first day of the month following your hire date