Job title: MANUFACTURING QUALITY SUPPORT (MQS)
Summary/Objective
The Manufacturing Quality Support role requires a self-motivated, organized, and adaptable individual with strong multitasking abilities. This person will collaborate with the relevant production areas (e.g., Stamping, Molding, Plating, HDR, Optics, Automation, Traffic, and Inventory) to prevent quality issues and improve overall quality performance. Additionally, this role will be responsible for monitoring and improving process performance through internal auditing.
Essential Functions/ Responsibilities.
1. Quality Ownership – Take shared responsibility for quality metrics within the assigned production area.
2. Cross-Functional Collaboration – Work closely with production supervisors, product, tooling, process, and maintenance techs, as well as Customer Quality Engineers (CQEs) to drive quality prevention and improvement initiatives.
3. Data Analysis & Improvement Planning – Track and monitor quality metrics, analyze data trends, and develop action plans for continuous improvement.
4. Issue Investigation & Resolution – Collaborate with supervisors, engineers, and CQEs to investigate internal and external defects or reported issues, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and track progress until resolution.
5. Quality Standards Guidance – Provide guidance to operators and supervisors on maintaining quality standards.
6. Documentation Updates – Develop, maintain, and/or coordinate the creation of or updates to applicable documentation.
7. In-Process Audits (IPA), Inspections, and Floor Walks – Conduct in-process audits per standards and requirements. Perform directed in-process inspections on specific orders, part numbers, or processes as determined by the Quality Department. Verify adherence to product specifications, proper procedures, and data collection requirements for new and existing products (e.g., CQA, ASP, and New Products). Also, lead manufacturing floor walks or Gemba walks.
8. Quality Reporting & Communication – Prepare the End-of-Month (EOM) Quality Update following the standard template. Update weekly quality metrics and share Quality Performance (QPs) updates on the Production Communication Board.
9. Review Board Administration – Serve as the Review Board Administrator, overseeing the review of incoming QPs and ensuring the completion of tasks and effectiveness of implemented actions.
10. Material Containment & Issue Management – Identify and implement containment measures for affected materials when necessary.
11. Product Transfers & Approvals – Support product transfer inspections, approvals, and tracking.
12. Manufacturing Floor Support – Act as a liaison between Manufacturing and other support groups (Tooling, Engineering, Sales, etc.), as well as different manufacturing areas (Plating, Stamping, Molding, Automation, HDR, etc.).
13. Training & Corrective Action Monitoring – Assist in training and monitoring production operators on specific quality concerns. Support documentation and verification of corrective actions.
14. Skills Development – take up new responsibilities assigned by manager
15. Additional Responsibilities – Occasional off shift coverage (if needed).
“The responsibilities as defined are intended to serve as a general guideline for this position. Associates may be asked to perform additional tasks depending on strengths and capabilities.”
Required Experience:
1. Strong data analysis skills; must be data-driven in decision-making and evaluation.
2. Solid understanding of process knowledge relevant to the assigned area.
3. Excellent problem-solving and investigative skills with a strong attention to detail.
4. Effective written and verbal communication skills.
5. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Access.
6. Collaborative team player; able to work effectively with operators, floor managers, engineers, and cross-functional teams.
7. Must be able to sit/stand for at least 90 consecutive minutes and not suffer from any sensory deprivation and/or paralysis of the limbs.
Preferred Experience:
1. Previous experience in quality assurance or related field.
2. Familiarity with Samtec quality systems: QP Suite, Checkpoint, Audit Suite, etc.
3. Working knowledge of dimensional inspection tools (Micro-Vu, Drop Gage, Calipers, etc.).
Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred Education: College-level education in engineering, or completion of some engineering coursework.