Quality Assurance Manager

Role of Job: 

Ensure adequate in process quality testing is implemented to minimize the possibility of waste due to rejection of unacceptable products and to ensure the quality of products meet customer’s requirements upon shipment.

Dimensions of Job: 

• Supervises direct and indirect reports (exempt and/or non-exempt) involved in quality control and assurance
• Ensures customer complaints or issues are handled in a timely fashion
• Ensures products not meeting in process or customer specification have proper disposition
• Actively monitors and reviews in process quality data
• Serves as an internal ISO auditor
• Ensures laboratory equipment is maintained in satisfactory condition
• Comply with Company policies and procedures to achieve KaMin Vision and visibly support the Site Safety Policy Statement

Principal Accountabilities: 

• Works with other KaMin departments to resolve internal quality issues, customer complaints and issues
• Responsible for required documentation for resolution of customer complaints/issues
• Supports product trials as needed to ensure quality of product is consistent with customer needs
• Monitors quality throughout process and makes changes to process chemicals, etc. as needed to ensure consistent quality of finished product
• test values
• Promotes, communicates and assist in implementation of the QMS
• Provides training as needed to other departments to ensure employees understand customer expectations and how they impact overall quality of KaMin
• Periodically reviews and implements changes as needed to ensure testing is adequate and provides value to the overall QMS
• Ensures employees receive required and adequate training to meet job requirements and provides the required resources necessary to safely perform the job
• Supports and promotes development of employees through motivation, coaching, and training opportunities
• Assists with environmental compliance and safety of employees by monitoring process, wastewater and potable water systems in accordance with regulatory guidelines
• Ability to identify potential risks and bring forward to ensure a timely resolution
• Assists the EHS Specialist and the KaMin Environmental Manager with compliance related to the facility NPDES permit for discharged effluents
• Assists the KaMin Environmental Manager with projects related to wastewater management
• Reviews calibration reports from internal tests and external contractors and resolves any issues with instruments identified as found “out of calibration”
• Support other departments through testing/verification as needed and assist with troubleshooting as deemed necessary

Major Challenges: 

• Continual monitoring of quality data to ensure customer needs are met and potential issues are identified and addressed quickly to minimize potential cost impact to the plant
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects/tasks and ensure customer complaints or Commercial needs are addressed in a prompt and timely manner
• Ability to address and resolve conflict with respect to direct reports and with other departments to resolve quality issues or concerns
• Development of a competent, efficient and motivated staff of lab technicians
• Remaining alert at all times to potential potable, process and waste water risks
• Ability to determine root cause(s) and ensure corrective actions are implemented for quality related issues

Decision Making Authority: 

• Specifies and recommends purchase of laboratory related equipment
• Recommends hiring, firing, transferring and promoting of employees
• Recommend changes in site specific quality testing

 Competencies: 

• Three years of management experience using root cause analysis in a scientific environment
• 5 years of laboratory/mineral processing experience.
• Training in a technical field including chemistry, engineering, or mathematics
• General knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding safety
• Detailed knowledge of plant operations and mineral processing