New Product Development QA Manager

Mueller Co. - Chattanooga, TN

Full-time

Chattanooga, TN

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Quality Assurance Engineer position at Mueller Water Products involves designing, implementing, and maintaining quality assurance protocols and methods for processing materials into partially finished or finished products. The role requires conducting the planning, implementation, and management of compliance with internal and external safety, quality, and regulatory standards for worldwide distribution. The engineer will handle design methods and procedures for inspecting, testing, and evaluating the precision and accuracy of production processes, production equipment, and finished products. This includes conducting analysis of reports and production data to identify trends and recommend updates or changes to quality standards and procedures when necessary. In addition, the Quality Assurance Engineer will develop methods for testing, sampling, and training, acting as an internal consultant by providing technical guidance on complex projects. The role involves working closely with plant quality inspectors to train and oversee their use of control forms, procedures, and correcting quality problems. The engineer will support all functional teams, including Operations, Finance, Quality, Materials, and Engineering, to deliver quality products in a cost-effective manner. This includes providing support between teams to ensure successful product launches on time and on budget. The position also requires supporting the Smart manufacturing solution design and development to improve factory target KPIs such as OTTR, First Pass Yield, Cycle time, OEE, DLE, and PPM. The engineer will assist factory AME groups and site leaders in identifying opportunities for improvement and standardization, design and develop proof of concepts, and propose technical solutions to senior leadership. Ensuring NPD launch success, identifying risks, handling escalations, and working on implementation and post-implementation value realization for the business are also key responsibilities. The engineer will contribute to schedule creation and project resource assessment, study product requirements, and develop QA processes through research, design, modification, and testing of manufacturing methods and equipment, conferring with equipment manufacturers. Utilizing FMEA, DFMEA, and DOE's to drive continuous improvement in manufacturing and engineering processes is essential, along with developing and mentoring staff and technicians to provide strong developmental support.

Responsibilities

• Designs, implements and maintains quality assurance protocols and methods for processing materials into partially finished or finished products.
• Conducts the planning, implementing and managing compliance of manufacturing and production processes with internal and external safety, quality and regulatory standards requirements for worldwide distribution.
• Handles design methods and procedures for inspecting, testing and evaluating the precision and accuracy of production processes, production equipment and finished products.
• Conducts analysis of reports and production data to identify trends and recommend updates or changes to quality standards and procedures when necessary.
• Develops methods for testing, sampling and training.
• Acts as internal consultant by providing technical guidance on most complex projects.
• Works with Plant quality inspectors to train and oversee their use of control forms, procedures, and correcting quality problems.
• Supports all functional teams (Operations, Finance, Quality, Materials, Engineering, etc.) to deliver quality products in a cost effective manner.
• Provides support between teams to ensure successful product launches on time and on budget.
• Supports the Smart manufacturing solution design and development to improve the factory target KPIs - OTTR, First Pass Yield, Cycle time, OEE, DLE, PPM etc.
• Assists factory AME groups and site leaders with the identification of opportunities for improvement and standardization.
• Designs and develops the proof of concept and proposes technical solutions to senior leadership.
• Ensures NPD launch success, identifies risks, handles escalations and works on implementation and post-implementation value realization for the business.
• Contributes to schedule creation and project resource assessment.
• Studies product requirements and develops QA processes through researching, designing, modifying, and testing manufacturing methods and equipment and conferring with equipment manufacturers.
• Utilizes FMEA, DFMEA and DOE's to drive continuous improvement in the manufacturing and engineering processes.
• Develops and mentors staff and technicians and provides strong developmental support.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality or related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• 5+ years' professional experience in QA or similar with a manufacturing industry experience in new product development (NPD).
• New Product Development and testing experience.
• Prior background with and knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Former experience with and ability to apply statistical analysis tools.
• Hands-on test development and qualification, along with participation in design reviews, design verification, and validation testing.
• Evaluation and processing of design change qualifications, assisting with the development of product specifications.
• Risk evaluation and assessment, including data collection and statistical analysis as well as review of Engineering protocols and reports.
• Composition and submission of protocols and reports if applicable, as well as other QMS or other Quality-related responsibilities as assigned.
• Must be a team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to handle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Strong communication skills; oral, written and presentation.
• Strong organization, planning and time management skills to achieve results.
• Strong personal and professional ethical values and integrity.
• Holds self-accountable to achieving goals and standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Strong interpersonal & collaboration skills to work effectively with all levels of the organization including suppliers and/or external customers.

Nice-to-haves

• Quality Engineer Certification.
• Lean/Six Sigma Training and/or Certification.
• Minitab or other statistical program experience.
• Design Tolerance Analysis and methods.
• Familiarity with Solid Works / CAD.