Plant Technical/Quality Manager

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

This role reports to the Site Leader and oversees the Quality Technical Team of up to 5 direct reports.  The Technical Leader partners closely with the Operations Leader and Maintenance Leader on a daily basis; this role partners closely with division Engineering, Supply Chain, and Sales on a weekly basis.

The Technical Leader is accountable for: ensuring the finished goods meet or exceed customer and industry expectations; improving quality control, process control, structured problem solving, and product composition; leading product & process stability in a 24/7 manufacturing facility; and reporting on relevant quality and plant metrics to business leadership.

Primary metrics include customer complaints, product downgrades and scrap, quality and process control KPIs, material productivity, and team development and engagement KPIs.

The Technical Leader may support the corporate engineering leadership development program, acting as a coach for new part-time or full-time engineering hires as the need arises for the site.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The employee should hold the following abilities:

• Must be a proven leader within a relevant discipline, able to engage and develop their team members
• Must be quick learner who is adaptive to and embraces change, as well as someone who uses data to make business decisions and challenge the status quo; all while minimizing the risk of producing off-quality material
• Must have data management and statistical analysis skills
• Must have structured problem-solving and continuous improvement skills in line with Six Sigma concepts
• Must work well in team environments and be adept at influencing and motivating peers and employees on other teams
• Must have solid verbal and written communication skills, able to communicate technical information to peers and employees
• Must be self-motivated, capable of operating towards goals without daily intervention
• Able to grasp and gather new information from a variety of sources quickly
• Some travel required (up to 10%)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead and sustain efforts in quality control, process control, material composition, and focused improvement by performing the duties outlined below.

Safety & Environmental Leadership – 5%

• Model Safer Together standards and lead or support key safety initiatives or programs including behavior based safety, PPE standards, and job hazard assessments

• Lead or support investigations related to technical safety or environmental incidents
• Ensure quality testing and practices are designed and executed safely
• Ensure equipment and process changes are aligned with or improve upon safety and environmental requirements
• Certify on Ladder and Roof-Access Safety to perform customer claim investigations in a safe manner

Quality Maintenance: Process Control and Improvement, Cost Reduction – 45%

• Lead process control improvement based on performance metrics to reduce product or process variation, producing the maximum amount of first-quality material at the lowest unit cost
• Accountable for training new and existing employees on process and equipment theory of operation and setpoints, and Quality Management (QM) and Focused Improvement (FI) pillar work
• Lead the QM & FI pillars to perform structured problem solving and improvement efforts addressing process losses and material losses
• Partner with Operations and Finance to deliver material construction/composition that optimizes product quality, process control, and material cost
• Partner with division SMEs to research and trial new raw materials, process controls, or equipment components to improve quality and/or process control, and/or minimize cost
• Review all plant or division-level capital projects, including equipment and process designs, for quality or process impacts, and manage those changes to minimize negative impacts to the plant

Quality Control: Product Performance, Customer and Regulatory Compliance – 30%

• Lead the technical team comprising primarily shift quality technicians in reviewing quality control metrics to ensure compliance with customer FFUs, product specifications, and industry standards, guaranteeing product performance
• Accountable for training new and existing employees on customer and industry product requirements, product construction, and quality testing
• Lead investigations and analysis on customer claims, material downgrades, and other quality losses for root cause, and identify the detective and preventative actions for future mitigation
• Review lab standards and take necessary actions to ensure equipment is calibrated and working properly, and that technicians and operators using approved test methods
• Ensure proper disposition of claim returns, hold material, trial material, or obsolete inventory
• Partner with the warranty department and local sales team to support roof inspections for warranty claims
• Review the quality of incoming raw materials to minimize the risk of creating defects
• Develop business cases for quality-related capital projects, and manage the project from scope to start-up

Quality Management: Daily Management, Reporting, Customer Engagement, etc. – 20%

• Build an engage, high-performing technical team capable of leading product quality and process stability on shift; a team that is capable of collaborating with peers and leaders without daily intervention
• Leverage TPM-aligned systems to manage tactical KPIs and action items for process and quality control (QM Pillar), structured problem solving (FI Pillar), and partner with other pillars (AM/PM/T&D) to drive towards zero losses
• Maintain technical documentation in line with audit requirements, such as product and process specifications, quality test methods, and critical-to-quality equipment standards utilizing proper change management
• Report regularly (daily/monthly) on product defects, product quality, and process control needs, actions, and best practices to plant and division leadership and support teams
• Align plant strategy to deliver improvements in the plant TPM governance system, and ensure compliance with all internal and external TPM and Quality audits
• Partner with the local sales team to review customer feedback and support on-site customer training

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The employee should have one of the following:

• B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical engineering and 5 years of relevant manufacturing and leadership experience
• In lieu of a degree, High School Diploma or GED Equivalent with 10+ years of relevant manufacturing experience along with leadership and technical/engineering experience

• Graduate of Owens Corning’s development program

COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE COMPETENCIES

The employee must be able to:

• Utilize Microsoft 365 products
• Utilize Statistical analysis software to identify data trends, shifts, or other patterns (ex: Minitab, advanced Excel, BrainCube, Ignition, Seek, etc.)

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee should possess the ability to:

• Work up to 12 hours in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing environment
• Safeguard self with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – safety toed shoes, hearing protection, eye protection, hand protection
• Sit or stand continuously for up to 12 hours
• Lift up to 40 lbs without assistance
• Demonstrate visual acuity
• Routinely ascend and descend stairs and ladders as work area requires

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position.  Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties.  All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbents(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.  The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

About Owens Corning  

Owens Corning is a branded building products leader with three complementary market-leading businesses providing roofing, insulation, and doors primarily for residential markets in North America and Europe. The company operates with an integrated go-to-market strategy and a unique set of OC Advantages™ – including its iconic brand, unparalleled commercial strength, leading technology, and winning cost position – to help customers win and grow in the market. Owens Corning is committed to helping build better and achieve more through winning partnerships, leading performance, and engaging people. Founded in 1938 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Owens Corning is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: OC). For more information, visit www.owenscorning.com. 

Owens Corning is an equal opportunity employer. Except in limited circumstances such as formal apprenticeship programs, Owens Corning does not employ anyone under the age of 18.