Jr Quality Engineer

Job Title: Jr Quality Engineer

Department: Quality Assurance/Quality Control

Reports To: Quality Manager

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Reporting to this position: None

Summary: Support all ISO audit-related activities. Lead investigations for Quality issues/defects and perform root cause analysis. Implement effective corrective actions while completing thorough follow up on corrective actions to ensure effectiveness. Serve as backup to Quality Coordinator on leading activities within the Quality department. Be an initiative-taking team member while carrying on Quality related activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Comply with all environmental, health, safety, and quality standards.
• Initiate or suggest ideas and support continuous improvement efforts in all areas of organization including quality and environmental, health and safety.

• Support all ISO audit activities to include surveillance and certification audits.
• Initiate investigations into Quality issues both internal and external.
• Perform root cause analysis on defects with aid of production team.
• Implement corrective/preventive actions for Quality issues.
• Follow up with CA/PA activities to ensure effectiveness.
• Carry out continuous improvement activities.
• Work closely with Production Team on Quality Issues
• Issue and maintain Quality Alerts
• Make disposition of product placed on hold and manage nonconforming material throughout the process.

• Maintain raw material documentation from suppliers.
• Backup Quality Coordinator with ERP data entry including Certificates of Analysis and any statistical data required.
• Backup Quality Coordinator on ensuring test equipment is calibrated and maintained.
• Support 5S in all QC testing areas.
• Maintain and create QC related work instructions. 
• Complete and maintain all required paperwork, records, documents, including test data.
• Support other departmental functions as needed such as operating test equipment and performing testing on product.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate degree preferred and 5+ years related work experience preferred to include knowledge of production and processing.
• Ability to read/comprehend written and oral instructions in English; read and comprehend safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, technical lab procedure manuals, and product recipes/material identifications.
• Ability to write legibly, to keep records and to correspond.
• Good math skills with ability to measure, calculate and convert.
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Matching proficiency, including the ability to color match.
• Manual dexterity is sufficient to use a wide variety of standard lab equipment.
• Ability to solve problems, perform root cause analysis, implement corrective action, and follow through on related activities.
• Computer proficiency to include Word and Excel
• Strong focus on follow-up and attention to detail
• Ability to work any schedule.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Ability to obtain Forklift Operator's License if necessary.
• Employees must be able to relate to other people beyond giving and receiving instructions:

(a). can get along with co-workers or peers without exhibiting behavioral extremes.

(b). perform work activities requiring negotiating, instructing, persuading, or speaking with others.

(c). respond appropriately to criticism from a supervisor.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: 

• Frequently required to sit, talk, or hear.
• Frequently required to walk or stand.
• Occasionally required to balance or stoop.
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 55 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision including concentrated vision for long periods of time, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment:

• Exposure to changes in temperature, dust, fumes, and chemicals.
• Exposure to moderately loud noise while in the plant.
• Exposure to low noise levels while in the lab.
• Personal protective equipment required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to a diverse workforce.