BUILT TO CONNECT
Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Director of Quality Assurance will develop and lead a multi-disciplinary Quality Assurance team that drives world class manufacturing quality processes and systems across all IPS Group production sites and value streams. As a critical member of the IPS Group Operations management team, this role will be the strategic lead for all Quality Assurance resources and will play an important role in the implementation and improvement of the organization’s Quality Management System. Working to continually improve Astec quality systems with the goal of meeting and exceeding customer satisfaction, the Director of Quality Assurance will also be responsible to support the various sites and their respective leadership teams in the areas of standardized problem solving, root cause analyses, and quality focused Kaizen management.
Key Deliverables
- Assure quality of products and processes by establishing and enforcing quality standards and testing materials.
- Prepare product and process quality reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
- Ensure our polices and Management system is constantly updated and complainant with global and local requirements.
- Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from the business activities and the job role.
- Build processes and relationships that facilitate productive teamwork and goal achievement.
Key Activities & Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Quality Assurance teams across all IPS site locations. Work closely with site and business leadership to continue to strengthen the quality culture and mindset. Be a companywide advocate of and for policies and practices that will support and improve the company’s product quality and reliability.
- Lead the organization to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve the company’s Quality Management Systems, policies, and procedures.
- Document, track, and report on key quality metrics for the sites and group. Utilize this data to drive continual improvement actions across the entire value stream.
- Develop and implement robust Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ) tools and systems. Create a transparent, self-sustaining CoPQ system that identifies and eliminates waste and increases profitability of the organization.
- Resolve escalated manufacturing, design, & field issues. Coordinate quality, manufacturing, design, service & technology team resources to drive solutions. Ensure effective control plans get put in place to avoid repeat issues.
- Own the warranty analysis and root cause identification process for the group. Create transparency, action, and resolution to customer identified issues in the areas of design, manufacturing, and supplied goods.
- Facilitate, track, and ensure closure of all requested corrective & preventative actions.Create and standardize systems across sites that allow for best practice communication.
- Hire, manage, and develop a technical team of quality engineers, technicians, and support personnel capable of executing to the strategic plan with innovation ability, quality engineering know-how, and proven core competence.
- Prepare and implement Quality’s Strategic Plans to meet company objectives. This will include setting and reporting on goals, objectives, key performance metrics, implementation plans, and resource planning.
- Work cross functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain and Operations during our New Product Introduction processes to ensure our NPI process qualifies and releases new products that achieve best-in-class quality and reliability performance.
- Ensure all organizational functions are adhering to the designated NPD process in the areas of engineering, manufacturing, and supplied components.
- Guide the organization on how to effectively introduce and use APQP/PPAP methods and techniques such as DFMEAs, PFMEAs, ISIRs, & DFMA.
- Utilize ERP driven Quality Management systems to drive process and procedure. Continually educate self and others on its use, and act as an organization wide champion.
- Creates, maintains, and ensures use of centrally stored and standardized quality and process documentation.
- Experience implementing and maintaining ISO9001 2015 and similar quality systems.
- Ensures that best practices are developed and shared among group manufacturing locations, monitors progress to goals, and help with tools, training, and resources as required.
- Manage an internal audit process and system that provides timely feedback to the company and demonstrates compliance to adopted standards.
- Focuses on the performance of the group, while also ensuring each site is adequately supported. Capitalizes on the strength of the larger Quality team to gain synergies and economies of scale across the group.
- Achieve manufacturing objectives as specified by the management team by promoting investigation, inventiveness, creativity, and solutions to various process and product quality concerns.
- Communicate new ideas, technology advances, and opportunities to management team for review, evaluation, and action.
- Assist in future acquisition due diligence and business integration needs.
- Stays current with information and technology affecting the Quality, Lean, and Continuous Improvement fields.
- Travels to Astec facilities throughout the world as needed.
- Maintain a professional image and demeanor around customers, employees and the general public.
- Work closely with and liaise with all Astec Industries, Inc. facilities and with appropriate business and trade organizations as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Supports Astec’s core values, mission statement and vision statement.
To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:
- A degree in Quality, Engineering, or Operations is required. Master’s degree preferred.
- 10+ years of leadership experience in quality, engineering, operational excellence, & Lean.
- Demonstrated communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills to communicate project plans, goals and objectives and coordinate resources to complete projects within scope.
- Strong background utilizing ERP driven quality processes and systems.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Must be able to solve problems at both a strategic and functional level.
- Must be able to organize and manage multiple projects and priorities.
- Must be able to plan strategically. And lead the execution of the strategy.
- Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills are required.
- Must be able to work satisfactorily as a team member.
- Ability to effectively speak publicly and make presentations is required.
- Ability to travel overnight and work long hours is required, although 40-48 hours per week is typical. Overnight travel is approximately 3-4 days per month with overseas travel of 1-2 times per year. Ability to obtain and maintain a Passport is required.
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals is required.
Supervisor and Leadership Expectations
Team will include: Quality Manager, Quality Supervisor, Quality Engineer, Quality Technician, Quality Systems Engineer et al.
