Lead Production Quality Specialist

Wabtec - Erie, PA

Full-time

Erie, PA

10,001+ employees

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Production Quality Specialist at Wabtec Corporation plays a crucial role in ensuring that the manufacturing processes and products meet the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction. This position involves developing and maintaining systems, rules, and processes that align with both internal and external requirements. The specialist will manage day-to-day quality functions, addressing and resolving issues that arise during inspections. This role requires a strong foundation in quality management and relevant technologies, as well as the ability to conduct failure investigations and customer reviews. Communication with cross-functional teams is essential to drive quality initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement. In this position, the Production Quality Specialist will ensure compliance with the Manufacturing Quality Management System, adhering to all Wabtec and customer requirements. The specialist will be responsible for developing, mentoring, and tracking continuous improvement projects, encouraging teamwork across various departments. Training on quality assurance concepts and tools will also be a key responsibility, as will maximizing the use of resources to meet quality, schedule, and profit objectives. The role includes auditing areas of responsibility for conformance to quality plans and systems, as well as tracking and reviewing projects aimed at reducing manufacturing losses and defects. The physical demands of the job require the specialist to stand for long periods and be mobile throughout the workday. Effective communication and the ability to operate various office machines are necessary. Wabtec is committed to diversity and inclusion, aiming to create a workplace where all employees feel valued and can contribute their unique perspectives. The company emphasizes the importance of hiring talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to foster innovation and creativity in solving industry challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain systems, rules, and processes to ensure customer satisfaction and fulfillment of internal and external requirements.
• Manage day-to-day quality functions and resolve issues highlighted during inspections.
• Ensure that processes and products are capable and will meet specified standards.
• Conduct failure investigations and customer reviews/interface.
• Communicate with cross-functional teams to drive quality initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with the Manufacturing Quality Management System and customer requirements.
• Develop, mentor, and track continuous improvement projects to instill a focus on quality.
• Drive and encourage cross-functional teamwork.
• Conduct training on quality assurance concepts and tools.
• Maximize the use of assigned resources to meet quality, schedule, and profit objectives.
• Audit areas of responsibility for conformance to quality plans, systems, and requirements.
• Track, review, and drive projects to reduce manufacturing losses, escapes, and defects.
• Provide quality plans to monitor and report quality issues, control and monitor gage calibration, and conduct impact analysis on out-of-tolerance gages.
• Develop and maintain a communication plan to inform employees about business goals and objectives.
• Establish a climate that encourages open communication and idea exchange.
• Monitor and evaluate metrics such as Escapes, DPU, Scrap, NCMR's, CAR's, MDR, project execution, MI reviews, Audits, and Process Adherence.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, or a high school diploma/GED with a minimum of 2 years of experience in Quality or Manufacturing.
• Experience in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge in machining, welding, assembly, and test processes.
• Demonstrated ability to balance meeting customer and business needs for optimal outcomes.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional environment.
• Knowledge of Schematics.
• Knowledge of Reliance and Maximo is a plus.
• Knowledge of Excel, Access, and PowerPoint is a plus.
• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification is preferred.
• Lead Auditor Certified.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in driving Quality Culture improvements in coordination with the Plant Quality Leader.
• Additional leadership experience in Operations, Manufacturing, or Quality.