Quality Laboratory Supervisor in Telford

Overview: The key activities outlined below represent an overview only of this position based onsite at the Telford Plant and should not be seen as a prescriptive list of activities. A flexible, responsive approach is vital, together with initiative in identifying and focusing on what needs to be done to establish and maintain a dominant industrial product position within Europe.

Responsibilities:

• Manage daily operations of the inspection lab, setting priority and test strategy.
• Coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure internal/external customer demands are met.
• Ensure safe operations of laboratory inspection technicians through daily HP review and Risk assessment.
• Monitor and report failure analysis trends and liaise with relevant department to implement systemic actions.
• Take steps appropriate to increase productivity and organization of Fastener Testing activities within the scope for inspection.
• Enhance and promote the importance of quality as an integral part of the business to support the company’s quality ethos/culture.
• Support the 8D process by driving continual improvement in the reliability of processes to ensure the delivery of a “quality” product, securing long term customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate Quarantine Area in conjunction with other members of the Quality Team.
• Conduct internal compliance audits in accordance with IATF16949 & ISO 9001.
• Coordinate PPAP and APQP activities.
• Support product testing activities to ensure consistent adherence to the IATF (TS) 16949 & ISO 9001 standards.
• Develop plant standards, technical instructions and procedures to ensure metallurgical activities align with Corporate standards and/or customer requirements.
• Provide detailed manufacturing support via analysis of metallurgical quality issues for steel, stainless and aluminum and establish appropriate resolution for optimizing plant processes, including those which inhibit product flow, as well as troubleshooting metallurgical processes.
• Manage the disposition of questionable product, interpret product metallurgical characteristics and make decisions on corrective actions and deviations as a result of product not meeting Howmet/Customer Standards.
• Lead metallurgical laboratory functions including coordination of lab activities and supervision of lab technicians.
• Provide/administer all metallurgical training needed for associates to understand and perform their job functions.
• Utilize test samples of finished products for strength, ductility, hardness and decarburizing/carburization to determine if prescribed standards have been met.
• Any other reasonable duties requested within the Quality function.
• Membership of company project task teams and Continuous Improvement events, as required.

Company Responsibilities:

• Maintain full compliance with Howmet policies and procedures and conduct all activities in accordance with the Howmet Guide to Business Conduct.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to Howmet Business Systems principles and techniques.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience & Background:

• 5 years’ experience in a Quality role.
• Team Leading/Supervisory experience.
• Previous roles in Heat Treatment and Electrolytical Plating, or other variants of metal coating.
• Previous participation in continuous improvement / continuous improvement events.
• Basic understanding of sampling, testing, and the heat-treating process.
• Experience of PPAPs & APQP.
• Knowledge of IATF (TS) 16949 & ISO 9001 Standards.

Competencies & Skills:

• Strong communication skills.
• Able to take the lead and respond to challenging situations.
• Leads by example, demonstrating a strong work ethic and high level of professionalism and integrity.
• Working knowledge of MS Office.
• Company advocate.
• Calm and resilient approach.
• Team player with the ability to train, coach and persuade employees.
• Logical approach to problem solving.
• High attention to detail.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills.

Benefits:

• Pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.
• Life cover 6 X base salary.
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme.
• Private Healthcare Insurance.
• Disability Insurance.
• Holidays starting at 22 days per annum.
• Cash plan for employees and their families.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Online savings platform and employee assistance programme.
• Friendly culture with a strong emphasis on safety and inclusion.

Qualifications:

• HNC qualification in Technical Discipline desirable.