Quality Specialist Job

Job Summary

Reports directly to the Quality and Logistics Manager and is a key member of SCO plant staff. Has a direct interaction with the site management team including production, logistics, quality, engineering, maintenance, and HES. Coordinates, coaches and actively promote the Facility Quality programs required to achieve Quality goals, customer satisfaction, and the facility’s ISO9001 certification.  Acts as the facility subject matter resource in Quality and Analytical programs, processes and tools. Enhances the front-line knowledge and accountability for quality throughout the organization.

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

• Site Operates 24/7. Quality Specialist 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:

30% Site Laboratory & Analytical Oversight:

• 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 Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for customers.
• Ensures Lab Equipment is calibrated per schedule and preventative maintenance is completed.
• Review and approve new or revised specifications and quality documentation (including procedures, process work instructions, and test methods), ensuring the implementation of required changes within the plant through effective Management of Change (MOC).
• Responsible for initiating plant Management of Change (MOC) as part of the Chemical Approval Process (CAP) for new raw materials and/or suppliers.
• Maintain proper inventory of laboratory supplies to ensure uninterrupted analytical operations.
• Assist in troubleshooting of LIMS and SAPQM errors and data transfer issues.

70% 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 Team (RI) 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)
• 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 Plant Based Recipe Industrialization 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.
• Collaborate with the Global Microbial Leader to ensure the site maintains proper microbial performance and adheres to established standards.
• Participate in internal and external audits of the quality systems and address any audit findings associated with the lab or quality system.

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:

-Thorough understanding of external drivers such as cGMP, ISO9001-2015 required. -Six Sigma certified preferred, or progress toward certification, with proven experience in applying the Six Sigma methodologies.

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 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.