Quality Manager

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:

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!

We are seeking a Quality Manager to lead the Quality team based at our Charlotte Plant.

This position directly reports to the Sr. Director, Global Quality and will have direct reports.

• Sincerity – Being sincere with everyone
• Challenge – Bolding taking challenges, continually seeking change
• Creativity – Creating new value through unity and synergy

• Manages the people, resources, and processes of the quality department comprised of Engineers and Quality Lab personnel in a 24 hr 7 day a week manufacturing operation.
• Provides leadership and assist team in troubleshooting quality issues and resolving customer complaints / internal issues and ensure corrective actions identified through problem resolution efforts remain effective.
• Help startup a new coating/slitting process which will include new test equipment/processes and new QMS system to support the new business model. 
• Monitor process capability and implement lean / six sigma projects. Develop and audit corrective / preventive actions for customer complaints.
• Responsible for employee performance management (goal setting, performance expectations and standards, performance reviews, on-going feedback, pro-active coaching, development planning, and corrective action); develop and maintain a sustainable system for the training, evaluation, and development of quality department staff to meet certification and work standards.
• Lead the alignment of Celgard systems and process to the automotive requirements.
• Manage internal process audits and lead the preparations for External Audits QMS system and participate as an internal auditor on a regular basis and report results. Assist with internal audits to assure conformity to ISO-9001/IATF 16949.
• Develop and ensure compliance with Advance Product Quality Planning (APQP). Oversee development of PPAP’s/PSW & external qualification package for new products.
• Utilize tools such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), data analysis to identify trends, root cause analysis, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and other problem-solving tools.
• Lead the Material Review Board process, process design reviews, and product / process qualification.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the Production, Maintenance, Warehouse and Process Engineering Departments to monitor product and process quality implications of all raw material, process, and product related trials and changes.
• Oversee the contamination program and drive improvements in this process.
• Gather and report quality data and prepare reports for management team, corporate, and appropriate company personnel.
• Develop management and technical skills to enhance performance and prepare for future work assignments.
• Lead customer tours and audits as needed to support the Charlotte plant.
• Lead quality stand down meetings with all manufacturing crews to help drive improvements with customer quality.

Education Background:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field required
• Certifications through American Society for Quality (ASQ) is preferred (i.e., CQE, CQA, CQM/OE)

Knowledge & Experience: 

• 7+ years’ experience with Quality Systems in a manufacturing environment (preferably in the automotive industry) (APQP, PPAP)
• Experience leading a team of professionals and technicians required (2+ years minimum)
• Experience working with ISO9001 and IATF 16949 required.
• Familiarity with blown film or plastics manufacturing preferred.
• Experience leading internal/external audits required.
• Thorough practical knowledge of statistics, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) required.
• Experience with a statistical software package; Mini-tab experience is a plus.
• Lean Manufacturing experience is preferred

Key Attributes:

• Individual initiative, analytical skills, a sense of urgency, and a strong attention to detail are critical
• Demonstrated competency in decision making and adaptability in a rapidly changing work environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills -- listening, written communication, and public speaking skills
• Demonstrated team skills -- team organization, leadership, and facilitation.
• Passion for developing the quality team and growing their careers.

Travel:

• Must be able and willing to travel up to 10% domestically and abroad for training and visiting other company locations

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.

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.

#LI-MN1

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.