Quality Manager

Quality Manager (New role based in Kulim, Kedah)

Watlow Profile: The world’s leading companies start with Watlow. Watlow, a privately owned company, is the industry leader in the design, manufacturing and integration of complete thermal systems including electric heaters, temperature sensors, temperature controllers, power controllers and supporting software. At Watlow, we are constantly driven to do more to help our customers. We take on big technical challenges. We are committed to projects that help our fellow human beings and we strive to learn more. From single components to high performance systems, we bring our thermal expertise to numerous applications, including semiconductor processing, energy processes, diesel, foodservice equipment, life sciences and others.

Overview of Role

Institutionalize a Quality Management System for the site that supports all strategic business unit (SBU) markets

Location – Kulim High Tech Park, Kedah, Malaysia

Reports to – Engineering Department Manager

Direct reports – Quality Engineers, Quality Technicians, Document Control Administrators

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Determine the customer need for, and business applicability of, guidelines and requirements established by regulatory agencies and standard setting bodies for quality such as ISO (International Organization of Standards).
• Sustain and improve a Quality Management System that assures items affecting the quality of LOB (line of business) goods and services are clearly recognized, identified, understood and complied with by all team members.
• Represent the “voice of quality” in LOB leadership decisions.
• Oversee customer audits and completion of follow up actions.
• Provide administrative, technical and developmental leadership for direct reports.
• Sustain and improve a Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) process for the identification, reporting of systemic elimination of pattern defects. Provide leadership to Corrective Action Board(s) that oversee execution and improvement of the process.
• Sustain and improve a Non-Conforming Material Report (NCMR) process for the identification, segregation and disposition of item defects. Provide leadership to Material Review Board(s) that oversee execution and improvement of the process.
• Sustain and improve a Returned Material Authorization (RMA) process for the receipt and control of items returned by the customer.
• Sustain and improve methods for responding to Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR) forms, audit findings, quality alerts and other customer inquiries concerning LOB quality that require formal acknowledgement and resolution by the business.
• Sustain and improve methods for extending the Quality Management System to suppliers, assuring qualification of supplier capability to consistently provide quality goods and services.
• Sustain and improve methods for identifying physical items that affect the quality of goods and services and assuring those assets are properly maintained and suitable for their intended use. Examples of such assets include measurement and test equipment, limited shelf-life material, tooling, fixtures, and machines.
• Sustain and improve a Configuration Management System that identifies, and controls changes to the information and records that specify the critical attributes of goods and services. Such information includes documents, software programs, part numbers, serial numbers, date codes and other attributes that establish traceability between requirements and deliverable items.
• Sustain and improve a Design and Production Control System that assures that physical items provided to customers comply with their specifications, and that their specifications are acceptable to the customer.
• Provide leadership and guidance for continuous improvement of processes affecting the quality of LOB goods and services.
• Be a mentor and role model, inspiring the importance of “safety and quality first” in everything we do.
• Prepare project justifications based on cost/benefit analysis Administrative Leadership.
• Proactively participate in opportunity management and prioritization planning.
• Communicate Watlow business objectives and financial performance to assigned area(s).

Key Relationships

• Leadership team
• Production Team Leaders
• Customers
• Engineering
• Direct reports
• Account Management
• Agency Registrars

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field with 10 years of progressive experience in a quality-related function. Advanced degree preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of ISO 9001-2015 and related standards, preferably in a lean manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in manufacturing, test and failure analysis.

• Thorough knowledge and practical application of quality system development, implementation, and continuous improvement.

• Understanding of and experience with MRP (Material Requirements Planning) systems.

• Experience working with customers, agency registrars, and auditors.

• Experience with Mini-Tab or similar SPC (Statistical Process Control) and statistical analysis software.

• Experience with metrology systems and traceability of calibrated measurement equipment.

• Knowledge of design control practices for solid model CAD (Computer-Aided Design) systems.

• Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) principles, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).

• Experience dealing with market specific requirements such as SEMI; industry standards such as IPC 620.

• Ability to see problems, solve problems and collaborate with others in order to do so.

• Demonstrated ability to create and foster an environment that is conducive to teamwork and the personal development of the team members.

Additional success factors:

• Project Management and Lean training/experience.
• Knowledge of change control fundamentals and processes.
• Flexibility to handle multiple projects of varying size and scope.
• Thorough attention to details and documentation.
• Proactive team player with a desire to build effective working relationships.
• Excellent presenting and communication skills.

Additional Information Regarding Position:

• Required to work fast-paced environment;
• Expert skill level with all Microsoft Office applications;
• Ability to multi-task, organize, and prioritize work;
• Some travel 5% to 25% required to US, Mexico, Asia.