Engineer, Quality (Manufacturing)

New Product Development

• Performs Quality function assignments during product Design Input and Design Output process to ensure all aspects of product quality and quality tools are considered and optimized.
• Develops, uses, and maintains Summit Polymers and APQP quality documents including but not limited to PFMEA, Process Flow/Control Plan, Quality Inspection Standards, First/Last Piece Instructions, Receiving Inspection Instructions, Dock Audit Instructions, Safe Launch Instructions, etc.
• Ensures quality plans are in compliance to all related statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Reviews, interprets, and communicates technical drawings and other technical information needed to assure the compliance of products or processes.
• Utilizes Measurement Systems Analysis techniques to qualify gages, fixtures, and other metrology equipment as needed.
• Utilizes statistical analysis to determine process normality and capability through the use of statistical analysis. (P values, PPK, CPK, etc…)
• Supports Corporate Supplier Quality Engineering with development of supplier product, critical review/critique of drawings/tolerances, review/approve quality control plans, attending supplier run at rates as needed, and critical reviews and approval of supplier PPAPs.
• Manages Appearance Approval Report (AAR) process including directing colorant, paint, film, and purchased component suppliers, developing internal color tolerance values, attending customer color harmony events, and proactively engaging customer color harmony through life of production.
• Ensures compliance with all unique customer specific quality requirements throughout the product development cycle.
• Assembles all PPAP information at pre-launch as well as for subsequent post launch changes and submits or presents to customer.
• Accesses, updates, and maintains all customer web based applications utilized during product development.
• Supports all launch preparation activities including training of associates, internal development trials, customer run at rates, on-site customer builds, Launch Readiness Reviews, and Launch Effectiveness Reviews.
• Provides proactive / prior to launch training and support to on-site quality liaisons at customer facilities for all new products.

Customer Product Quality Support

• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with external customers.
• Engages immediately in reaction to customer quality concerns, and escalates to Quality Manager and Manufacturing management.
• Travels to customer locations as required to support containment, investigation, and presentation of corrective actions (or disputes) for customer quality concerns.
• Breakdowns and reviews customer warranty data to apply corrective actions and proper responses up and including on-site review and investigation at the customer as needed.
• Travels routinely to customer for proactive visits and customer build events.
• Accesses, updates, and maintains all related customer web based applications and scorecards.

Internal Product & Quality Systems Support

• Provides support for internal plant operations enabling the production of high quality, high value products for our customers.
• Provides functional and technical knowledge and research in support of manufacturing operations in resolving quality concerns and questions.
• Develops, maintains and performs internal Layered Process Audits and analyzes findings to take appropriate corrective actions.
• Participates in other auditing activities including but not limited to customer audits, internal quality audits, supplier quality audits, and internal/external IATF / ISO audits.
• Supports and participates in continuous improvement activities that create improvements to standardized work methods and operational efficiency.
• Uses industry standard metrology equipment to qualify and calibrate as needed products, processes, or fixtures / tools.
• Provides guidance to quality inspectors / technicians in performing their responsibilities.
• Provides support when required during off hours relating to any topic related to the above mentioned duties.

Problem Solving

• Leads, performs and supports Practical Problem Solving (PPS) activities to fully define the problem, determine root cause, and develop root cause based corrective actions to resolve customer, internal and supplier quality concerns.
• Documents corrective actions on PPS A3 format, and when required on specific customer problem solving / corrective action formats.
• Shares corrective actions with other affected functions, including corporate teams, sister plants, and suppliers.