Senior Quality Engineer

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow. Our business sectors, Material, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

We are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Celgard where we develop and manufacture membrane battery separators that are critical components used in lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles (EDVs) and energy storage systems (ESS).

Company:

Celgard, LLC

Job Description:

Senior Quality Engineer

Celgard

• Concord, NC

About Us

For more than 50 years, Celgard has been a proven global leader in the development and production of high-performance membrane technology. Our products are used in a broad range of energy storage and other barrier-type applications, including lithium-ion batteries, lithium primary and other specialty battery solutions, technical textiles such as waterproof breathable apparel and medical personal protective equipment (PPE) and other specialty applications. Headquartered in the United States, we operate manufacturing facilities in the USA and China and have sales and technical service staff located strategically throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Celgard is part of Polypore International, a leading global high technology company specializing in microporous membranes. Polypore brings advanced development and manufacturing know-how as well as unique problem-solving capabilities to customers' lithium-ion and lead-acid battery development teams. Polypore is an Asahi Kasei Group company, which is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors. We are creating for tomorrow!

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to be a part of the Quality team based in Concord. Working in a team-centered environment, the Quality Engineer will directly contribute to the goals and objectives of the quality department for the facility by driving continuous improvement in the quality systems and processes in the plant.

Reporting Relationships

This position directly reports to the Quality Manager.

Asahi Kasei's Values

• Sincerity

• Being sincere with everyone

• Challenge

• Bolding taking challenges, continually seeking change

• Creativity

• Creating new value through unity and synergy

Key Accountabilities

• This position will be key in affecting change within the production area by championing initiatives targeted at converting from a "reactive" to a "proactive" quality philosophy

• Maintain compliance with all plant safety systems and policies, and applicable laws/regulations; plan safety into all work

• Potentially manage direct reports and lead cross-functional teams to resolve quality concerns

• Utilize lean manufacturing methodologies and problem solving/troubleshooting tools to identify root cause of issues and implement correction/preventative action items

• Improve process control scheme at the plant by updating process control plans, PFMEA's, and process work instructions.

• Update weekly and monthly quality metrics.

• Manage document control process on the floor in the plant

• Identify, initiate, and implement continuous improvement projects related to the QMS (Quality Management System) that benefit the site

• Assist in deploying QMS training for all employees

• Work with other Quality Engineers on the 8D process/customer complaints.

• Act as an engaged participant in the daily Gemba meetings

• Monitor SPC charts in areas and lead SPC /Trend Review meetings

• Lead Top Scrap Reduction Initiative in the plant

• Assist/lead internal audits, external audits, and customer audits.

• Help establish calibration standards for new test/approve vendors.

• Manage the MRB process with the value stream team and ensure the NG material control process is effectively implemented.

• Participate on cross-functional continuous improvement teams. Lead and execute improvement projects that affect product quality.

• Ability to travel if needed

• Be the key contact person for quality issues in the manufacturing plant.

• Flexible schedule based on needs of the business. Examples includes customer complaints, containment, sorting material. And communication with customers.

• Desire to learn new systems, processes, and technologies within the industry to ensure growth of the business and personal development.

Qualifications

Education Background:

BS Degree or higher required, preferably in a Science/Engineering field. Certification through the American Society of Quality (ASQ) in one of the following areas preferred: ASQ/CQE, ASQ/CSSBB, ASQ/CSSGB, ASQ/CQA;

Knowledge & Experience:

• Experience working in automotive industry as a quality engineer or supplier quality engineer; 3-4 years

• Experience implementing, managing, and auditing IATF:16949/ISO9001

Experience practicing and applying AIAG core tools in a production environment (APQP/PPAP/PFMEA/SPC/MSA)

Key Attributes:

• Internal auditing experience

• Experience with SPC software such as Minitab

• Experience leading and facilitating scrap reduction projects with cross functional teams

• Strong problem solving skills

• Able to work independently under limited supervision, and provide direction/leadership to others

• Strengths in organization, excellent communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work on a high performing team, contributing to an environment where open and honest communication is the norm.

• Ability to build effective workplace relationships, motivate co-workers, and support co-worker development.

Ability to evaluate team effectiveness and improve its performance.

Travel:

• Must be able and willing to travel up to 5% for domestically and abroad for training and visiting other company locations

Working Environment

This position is in a manufacturing plant setting that would require working in a production environment around chemicals. Work will require standing and walking for up to 80% of the time. Lighting and temperature are adequate. You may be required to lift up to 35 pounds and/or force necessary to push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Celgard manufacturing sites are IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certified.

Location Information

Concord is part of the Charlotte metro area. Charlotte, NC, known as the Queen City, is a thriving metropolitan area of over 2.6 million people across 15 counties and is situated just north of the South Carolina border, within a weekend drive to the mountains and the beach. It is comprised of diversity in people, industries and living, from urban to rural. It is ranked second among 25 largest cities for most desirable place to purchase a home by Nerdwallet.com and is ranked eight among the top 10 big booming cities by CNNmoney.com. Charlotte is home of one of North Carolina's largest college campuses, UNC Charlotte. Along with a friendly southern culture, Charlotte offers dining, arts, museums, major league basketball, football and soccer teams, a minor league baseball team, NASCAR, shopping, festivals, a variety of amenities and quick access to several parks and reserves for people who love the outdoors.

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As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei believes a diverse workforce will provide us with the ability to continuously support the changes in the economy, society, and environment.