Quality Team Lead Mechanical

**Classification: **

Salary Non-Exempt

**Reports to: **

In-Process Supervisor

American Art Clay Company (AMACO) was founded in 1919 by Ted O. Philpott. AMACO is known for being the first to commercially manufacture ceramic and non-ceramic clays, lead-free glazes, electric kilns, and potter’s wheels. AMACO is a founding member of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute, which established safety standards for children’s art materials in 1936. Today AMACO continues to manufacture ceramic supplies with the highest standards of quality and safety.

AMACO is a fourth-generation family-owned and operated company with a strong belief that art and creating art fosters well-being for the individual while enriching society as a whole. Making art facilitates tactile learning, encourages self-expression, develops craft skills, and cultivates creativity. AMACO promotes a culture of continuous improvement and change; and a working environment that embraces innovation at all levels, from the factory floor to the executive offices. Everyone is empowered to improve their role and collaborative processes and participate in the common goals of safety, quality, customer care, teamwork, respect, and learning and development.

**Job Summary: **

The** Quality Assurance Mechanical Team Lead **will be given the authority to manage the daily workflows and priorities of the Mechanical department of three + people as their main focus and be the main point of contact for quality issues in the Mechanical Department. QA Lead will participate in planning and oversight of operations within the Mechanical QC Department. The Team Lead will work closely with the QA manager, communicating information and assigning tasks and instructions as needed. Additional assistance may also be needed but not limited to Gemba, Report Outs, Kaizen, and Tracker. Participation in meetings may also be required. The expectation of this position is to help balance the best quality AMACO can provide the end customer, while also supporting the flow of net good products for shipment. ***Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities. *

Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance in defining and implementing daily work schedules and tasks.

• Placing on Hold Suspect material and resulting NAV and physical disposition

• Ensure the correct safety and quality procedures as needed are followed

• Participate in New product runoffs, process changes and validations

• Participate in Dock Audits

• Establish and maintain monthly QC Hold inventory reconciliations

• Participate in meetings as required by QA Leadership and Mechanical Dept

• Maintain a safe and clean environment within the assigned area

• Assist in preparing and present Virtual and Real time Gemba Reports for Mechanical QA

• Participate in Kaizen continuous improvements.

• Perform root cause analysis on defective materials.

• Inspect incoming mechanical materials.

• Understand how to utilize and train others on how to use hand gages. (i.e height gages, micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, bore gages, etc.)

• Provide and interpret inspection reports.

• Participate in A3 problem solving including fishbone, 5 why and other root cause quality tools

• Participate in developing and improving current/new work instructions and TWI

• Participate in assisting Shipping in Quality Assurance-related tasks and reports

• Participate in MSA activities including but not limited to Gage R and Rs and capability analyses

• Help develop Excel and PowerPoint reports and data analysis

• Support Cross Training between departments as required

• Performs other related duties as assigned

Skills:

• Strong leadership abilities that can delegate and be hands on.
• Knowledge of quality policies, procedures, and operation of gages and other measuring equipment
• Ability to use SPC and participate in statistical analyses
• Commitment to ongoing understanding and education on best practices of quality
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other computer related software skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail to maintain proper record-keeping techniques and work standards
• Excellent interpersonal skills using tact, patience, courtesy and respect while effectively communicating orally and in writing
• Demonstrates excellent customer service and leadership skills
• Ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively to establish decision making within the Team Lead area of responsibility
• Ability to adapt and initiate policy and procedures by demonstrating good time management skills and ability to multi-task

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or Equivalent.

3+ years of quality experience or training.

4+ years of related experience in a manufacturing environment

Experience with Measurement Analysis, Paint Defects and Electrical Motors; preferred

End User Experience with Pottery Wheels and Slab Rollers; preferred

Work Environment:

Mechanical Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit; climb or balance; bend or squat, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently carry, push, or pull medium weights, and lift and/or move up to 75+ pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Hours of work are Monday through Thursday, 40+ hours per week. Occasional overtime work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel:

No travel is expected for this position.

EEO Statement:

AMACO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: AMACO is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AMACO are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the location where we operate. AMACO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

You should be proficient in:

• Quality Inspection Experience
• Quality Control Experience
• Quality Control Data Analysis