Quality Manager
Job Summary:
Blueshift's bleeding edge thermal protection systems are used by some of the biggest OEM brands in the advanced air mobility (AAM), rocket/spacecraft and other aerospace, defense and electronics industries with challenging temperature or RF requirements. These products are based on AeroZero®, a thin, polyimide aerogel film that is used as the primary insulator in AeroZero Flame and Thermal Barriers (AZ-FTB) and AeroZero Thermal Protection Systems (AZ-TPS). Quality of products and services is critical to success in these markets.
The Quality Manager leads the Quality Function for Blueshift via both direct reports and guiding other functions in pursuit of quality excellence. The Quality Manager has a primary responsibility to develop, refine, implement, and direct the requirements of our quality system, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence. Through the Quality Manager's leadership, the Quality Function supports the manufacturing and product development efforts of the operations as well as the Applications and Research teams. The Quality Manager investigates any quality issues relating to raw materials and manufactured products. This position directs activities to improve overall quality efficiencies and ensure long-term customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities:
- Establishes and reinforces company policies and protocols for managing quality systems and quality control of manufacturing processes.
- Responsible for all quality control testing of incoming raw materials, WIP goods, and finished goods for properties determined to be critical to quality. Ensure accurate and timely testing and reporting of data and results.
- Uses decision-making priority framework: 1) Safety; 2) Quality; 3) Service; 4) Cost.
- Utilizes understanding of data analytics, systems, and statistics to direct and facilitate root cause investigations and data-driven management reports.
- Establish and maintain statistically valid sampling plans and process audits in support of verified process and product consistency utilizing statistical process control standards.
- Oversees creation and modification of all process recipes (including lamination construction charts) and product\process control plans and testing protocols. Reviews and approves product specifications.
- Champions the customer complaint process with data analysis, systematic approach, and subject matter experts in root cause investigation methodologies.
- Responsible for managing systems to monitor all aspects of customer satisfaction, recognize gaps, and work with functional owners for improvement.
- Manage the creation of product and process control plans to mitigate risk as part of new product developments. Ensures process capability studies are performed at a frequency appropriate for the production level of the given product/WIP.
- Conducts risk assessment associated with a new product or process as part of the scale-up to full commercial manufacturing. Utilize risk analysis tools to improve robustness of product and process design.
- Establish criteria for outgoing quality certificates of analysis (COA) and certificates of conformance (COC) based on strong statistical evidence and understanding of the QMS.
- Coaches direct and indirect reports on how they can impact and improve quality in a systematic way.
- Provide leadership to continuous improvement.
- In collaboration with the Quality Management System (QMS) Champion, this position is responsible for the management, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the QMS (AS9100D standard) to ensure customer satisfaction and mitigate enterprise risk.
- Prepares and maintains AS9100D certification for the Quality.
- Works with FHT Legal, Flexcon Global, and all Blueshift functions to understand regulatory obligations and fiduciary risks to the organization.
- Facilitates decisions on risk mitigation, customer quality agreements, and material disposition balancing risk vs costs and resources available.
- Manage the internal audit system and support audits by customers, regulators and certifying agencies.
- Maintain documentation standards necessary to the QMS. Prepare and present the Management Review (MR) to the executive team.
- Leads material review board (MRB) meetings to discuss trends and proper disposition of materials. Documents all actions and decisions related to Product Quality.
- Develops and manages quality-related training programs for managers and employees.
Skills & Qualifications:
- B.S. degree in Engineering, or similar technical discipline with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
- A.S. degree in a technical discipline with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
- High School Diploma with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
- 2+ years of leadership experience with direct reports
- Knowledge of roll-to-roll film processing is desired.
- Prefer candidates with process and product knowledge in plastics or specialty chemicals.
- Proven ability to lead projects completed on time and at/under budget.
- Strong familiarity with systematic continuous improvement processes such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or Total Quality Management.
- Experience in working with certified Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015 required, AS9100D preferred).
- Demonstrated track record of using data analysis to guide continuous improvement programs.
- Proven track record of problem solving with ability to handle multiple and changing priorities.
- Effective communication in oral and written English.
- Blueshift will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.
Department & Supervisor:
Department: Operations
Reporting to: Director of Operations
Type of Employment:
Full-time, exempt
Location:
Spencer, MA