Quality & Continuous Improvement Leader Job

Job Summary (include Context and Environment)

This position will be based in St. Charles, LA, and reports to the plant Quality & Logistics Manager.

• Site Operates 24/7. Quality & Continuous Improvement Leader may need to be available on call or in person for urgent matters.

HESQ Requirements

• Comply with HSEQ Policy.
• Comply with Regulations, Legal and Internal Requirements and Internal requirements as made known by the site and by the business unit.
• Comply with the rules of the specific location to which one is assigned as well as the rules set by the business unit (BU) and Arkema Inc.
• Comply with all standard procedures and work instructions, such as MOC’s, LOTOTO, to ensure productivity, quality assurance and cost effectiveness.
• Review their work area for potential losses and report hazards to the direct supervisor.
• Report Near Misses to the direct supervisor.
• Report incidents or accidents to the direct supervisor
• Identify and communicate potential gains or possible improvements to the management system
• Complete assigned training through MyCareer & MyLearning or attendance to assigned Web-Ex or Instructor Led Training (ILT) classes.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities with % Breakdown:

40% Site Quality Management:

• Coordination of disposition of non-performing stock – including blending and updating of systems (Non-Prime SharePoint and SAP).
• Participates in the review of plant equipment (Capital) projects and control system changes having a potential impact on product quality. (Management of Change)
• Will report to senior management on the performance of the quality management system and communicate potential gains or any need for improvement in processes/tools/resources.
• Works closely with Operations and Logistics teams to ensure compatibility in product scheduling.
• Ensures plant quality objectives align with Business Quality objectives and works with plant team to identify actions to meet/exceed those targets.
• Reviews measurements that monitor key plant quality control points (SQC) and proposes revisions to specifications and/or works Recipe Industrialization Group (RIG) to improve the recipe/procedure to drive QC results to target.
• Complete trend analysis (Customer Complaints, COPQ, NPS, RFT) to identify quality improvement opportunities (QIPs).
• Works with plant personnel to identify and prioritize issues and improve quality through the use of tracking tools (Atlas, Quimeo)
• Responsible for testing of and/or training of operators and analytical technicians on the QC analysis necessary for the release of material.  Ensures data entry is accurate in LIMS to enable generation of COAs for customers.
• Reviews and approves new/changed specifications and ensures implementation of required changes in the plant (Management of Change).
• Ensures Lab Equipment is calibrated per schedule and preventative maintenance is completed.
• RCI (Root Cause Investigation) Leader for Customer Quality Complaints. Includes the appropriate functional SMEs for the situation involved.  Coordinates the development of the closure documentation with the Account Team for quality customer complaints. 
• Leads and works closely with Recipe Industrialization Group Plant Coordinator on RCI for out-of-specification batches.
• Responsible for developing thorough and comprehensive documentation of Quality Events in a timely manner; tracking of Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPAs) to completion in Atlas; and communicates action plans for non-conformances (Customer Complaints and Missed Events) and for quality improvement (QIPs).
• Communication of customer requirements (or changes) throughout the site.
• Responsible for the monthly reporting of Quality KPIs (Cost of Poor Quality, COPQ, Non-Performing Stock, NPS, Right First Time, RFT) for the plant.

40% Continuous Improvement Leader:

• This position is responsible for identifying, personally driving, or serving as champion for continuous improvement projects that will accelerate growth in market share, improve cost and/or waste reduction.
• Works closely with the Maintenance & Operations Manager for technical improvement programs and capital projects to clearly determine project ownership as appropriate.
• Continuous Improvement Culture – This position ultimately seeks to establish a culture of continuous improvement at all organizational levels.
• Close linkage of AIMS to existing CI programs, leading the implementation of new Lean methodologies including Arkema’s SMART process, and support of programs requiring a Six-Sigma or DMAIC approach.
• The end result is creation of an engaged culture where employees are continuously driving improvement at the appropriate organizational levels and leaders serve these efforts by removing barriers and enabling their teams to perform.
• Manage the portfolio of continuous improvement projects in Quimeo, with regular update and review with projects leaders and sponsors.
• For DMAIC projects, act as a coach on the methodology; manage the GB population in the plant to ensure 4% active operational people.
• Lead the site’s effort to adhere to Arkema’s Continuous Improvement Performance Cycle process.
• Drive the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effort to ensure successful execution of the 2030 climate goals.
• Develop the plant’s skills on problem solving.
• Report to the Plant Manager and Plant Leadership Team (PLT) on the performance, success and setbacks related to the project’s execution and SMART significant initiatives during site performance review.

20% AIMS Compliance:

• Arkema Integrated Management System (AIMS) and Management System Review Coordinator (QRM) for the site.
• Lead the plant Semi-Annual Review Meetings (SRM) and the Management System Review (MSR).
• Ensure completion of required activities through individual owners of the quality, safety, environmental, etc. components of the system.
• Lead preparation of internal & external audits.
• Owns Operating Discipline/Quality System procedures and practices (ISO9001 Management System oversight).

Minimum Qualifications and Education Required

Min Years of Experience

Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in manufacturing environment, preferably in chemical industry, to include 5 years’ experience in analytical support and at least 3 years in quality control. Experience may be off-set by degree.

Education and area of focus

BS degree in engineering, chemistry or related technical discipline

Certifications/Trainings:

-Six Sigma certified preferred, or progress toward certification, with proven experience in applying the Six Sigma methodologies.

-Thorough understanding of external drivers such as cGMP, ISO9001-2015 required.

Competencies -Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

-Excellent PC Skills: Word, Excel, SAP, PowerPoint, LIMS

-Ability to maintain a Customer Focused posture required.

-Proven ability to innovate and improve upon existing practices and technology.

-Strong communication and leadership skills.

HES Requirement – All Jobs

-Supports the site HESQ policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements

-Participates in HESQ activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety, SafeStart, etc.)

-Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incidents

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

This position is in a Chemical plant. Field presence will be expected.