Job Description

Description

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Technician is responsible to ensure compliance of products and processes to defined requirements.  QA Technician determines compliance using testing of product properties, auditing of processes providing compliance documentation. QA Technicians are also responsible to initiating the nonconforming product process, providing all defect details, participating in correction teams as requested, and determining the next steps to achieve disposition. 

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Conducts all audits and testing to requirements per published documentation.
• Conduct acceptance testing on incoming raw materials, intermediate/first pass products and finished goods per pre-defined schedule or upon request.
  • Prepare test samples and conduct testing per requirements to reduce sample to sample and person to person variation.
• Disposition finished goods based on test results compared to provided specifications and product trends/history within appropriate databases and ERP.
  • Monitor inventory in QA and “out of flow” statuses, coordinating with necessary personnel to disposition material in a timely manner.
• Document all auditing/testing results in defined databases, and file & maintain all physical samples kept as “retains” per requirements.  Review data and samples to ensure accuracy to requirements.
• Complete special requirements for customer/products as defined:
  • After review for accuracy, generate finished good Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each completed lot/product. Send to customer as required, upon shipment of product/lot to the customer.
  • Produce, properly label, and provide to Shipping customer chips to be included with initial shipment to customer.
• Review incoming raw materials Certificates of Analysis (COA) to raw material requirements and provide appropriate disposition in ERP. Maintain records as required. 
• Initiate and facilitate the nonconforming product process.
  • Conduct and document confirmation, containment, and correction testing.
  • Perform communication of nonconforming condition to affected teams.
  • Participate in correction (color and other) and/or root cause investigations to reduce occurrences of the nonconforming condition.
  • Document nonconforming condition in ERP, NCR database, and on physical containers as defined in procedures/work instructions.
• Create & maintain product folders and color & visual standards for all products ran in production at request of Quality Engineer or designee.
• Conduct pre-defined audits of production processes on established schedule communicate findings appropriately and participate in resolution as needed.
• Housekeeping duties including but not limited; keeping workstations, lab equipment and lab storage areas clean and orderly; emptying scrap tubs/bins, cleaning up purge patties and emptying trash/recycle; re-stock consumable lab supplies and communicate to Quality Engineer when re-order points are reached.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Required Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrate ability to solve basic math problems.
• Demonstrate acceptable color perception and differentiation.
• Able to follow directions and organize tasks to achieve expected results.
• Basic knowledge/comfort with computer programs for data entry and communication.
• Ability to use results obtained to determine next steps. 
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision.

Education and Experience

• Formal training and knowledge required, equivalent to High School Diploma.
• Associate degree in Chemical, Quality or Manufacturing Technology a plus.
• Prefer Associate's degree in Chemical, Quality or Manufacturing Technology
• Previous experience in pigment or plastics industry along with good color perception and demonstrated ability to analyze samples is required
• Previous experience in quality assurance is a plus.
• Previous experience in pigment or plastics industry a plus. Applies general clerical/trade knowledge and skills. Understands basic methods, records, specifications and/or equipment within own work unit
• Prefer a minimum of one year of relevant experience

Other Duties

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Effort Required in the Position

Mental:

Constant attention to details. Experience a high volume of work with demands to meet deadlines. May experience interruptions or requirements to cope with changing priorities. May involve creativity to perform job tasks

Physical:

Audio Attention Required (when using equipment) – Moderate

Visual Attention Required (when using equipment) – Considerable

Lifting or Moving Objects and/or reaching and bending in awkward positions and/or climbing – Limited

Lifting or Moving Intensity – Moderate (11-25 lbs)

Mobility - remain in a seated or standing position – Moderate

WORKING CONDITIONS SPECIFIC TO THE POSITION

Adverse Conditions (noise, heat, cold, dirt, fumes, and unpleasant environments) – Moderate

Isolation – Physically removed from other staff – Limited

Exposure to Accident or Health Hazards – Limited

Local Travel - Limited

Overnight Travel – Limited

Key for Physical Effort and Working Conditions

Based on % of Time Involved:

                                                Limited -                      up to 25%

                                                Moderate -                  26% - 50%

                                                Considerable -             51% - 75%

                                                Constant -                   76% – 100%