Summary

This collaborative leader plans, directs, and coordinates improvements to operations processes in support of safety, quality, delivery cost and growth objectives and manages quality and engineering for Seals Unlimited. This position is also responsible for developing, evaluating, and improving manufacturing methods, utilizing knowledge of product design, materials and parts, manufacturing and fabrication processes, tooling and production equipment capabilities, and quality control standards as well as tooling design.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Foster a culture which supports the principles of Safety, Quality, Cost and Growth.
• Develop a plan and implement lean manufacturing concepts for measurable waste and lead time reductions.
• Seek, determine and implement ways to improve production efficiency and asset and resource utilization (e.g. design production aids).
• Collaborate with cross functional areas to perform problem solving of process issues.
• Manage and work on operations projects in support of strategic initiatives or tactical improvements.
• Monitor metrics/results for ongoing evaluation of projects/programs and develop corrective actions.
• Track and communicate progress/impediments of projects for desired results, timing and resources.
• Develops and implements quality standards and procedures and ensures compliance with industry and company standards.
• Achieves quality assurance objectives by contributing information and analysis of manufacturing and inspection processes, identifying and resolving problems, completing audits, determining system improvements and implementing change.
• Develops quality assurance plans by identifying critical control points and preventive measures; establishing critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification procedures.
• Maintains and improves quality by completing audits, investigating internal and external customer complaints, working with other managers to develop improved processes and inspection methods.
• Provides engineering and quality support to customers, vendors and manufacturing for new business development efforts, new product developments and other engineering requirements for customers including effective rollout to manufacturing.
• Manage design of new tooling and redesign of existing tooling.
• Manage the tooling database.
• Direct work activities of quality control employee(s).
• Provide technical expertise and transfer knowledge to other members of the operations.
• Assist in identifying and conducting operations training endeavors.
• Prepare product drawings where needed.
• Attend industry trade shows.
• Support estimating department on pricing matrixes and complex projects.
• Communicate daily with all departments.
• Attend work regularly and predictably and uphold Company values in all work aspects.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The position carries out supervisory responsibilities for one to two Quality department reports in accordance with the Company's policies and applicable laws and is responsible for effectively managing project team resources as required. Supervisory responsibilities include: training on a variety of topics, communicating expectations and objectively assessing employees through informal and formal means (e.g. regular feedback, performance appraisals); planning, assigning and directing work; conducting internal and external interviews and selecting staff; reviewing time sheets, determining schedule/overtime needs and approving or denying leave requests; sustaining positive employee relations by considering suggestions and handling employee conflicts, disputes, complaints fairly and timely; keeping notes of favorable and unfavorable behavior of performance; recommending rewards or discipline for employees; and ensuring all employees are working in a safe manner.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering and at least five years of experience with manufacturing processes. Experience in Lean Manufacturing implementation, advanced design (e.g. 3D CAD), and quality engineering methods with inspection are needed. Industrial rubber manufacturing and knowledge of rubber components is preferred. Experience directly supporting a production environment is preferred.

Skills and Abilities

Advanced computer, analysis and problem solving skills. Strong project management skills. Demonstrated effective communication skills to inform and persuade both technical and non-technical people and excellent interpersonal skills. Must be highly motivated, assertive, a strong team player as well as an independent contributor, able to drive ideas through to completion and possess. Must be able to manage multiple tasks and priorities and easily adapt to changing situations.

Working Environment

The working environment will range from office setting to manufacturing floor where there is some dirt, dust, fumes or airborne particle exposure; heat in summer months, cool in winter months; noise from machines (under decibels required for hearing conservation program, except in hydraulics room); and exposure to equipment with moving mechanical parts Infrequent overnight travel for customer or vendor visits, training, meetings or trade shows.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, or use hands to handle, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.