Quality Engineer Specialist

Morgan Advanced Materials is a business rich in history and innovation. Founded in the UK in 1856, we have grown into a global organisation with 70 sites in 18 countries. Our model to serve our customers where they need us has led to a diversified product range using our unparalleled expertise in ceramic and carbon materials, which we exploit to solve difficult problems for our customers across a diverse range of markets.

We are a purpose driven organisation. Our purpose is to use advanced materials to make the world more sustainable and to improve the quality of life. We deliver on that purpose through the products that we make, and the way that we make them.

The Thermal Ceramics division designs, manufactures and installs a broad range of thermal insulation products that significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions in a variety of high temperature processing applications. Our product offering is extensive and covers application needs from Industrial to Commercial markets.

Key Figures: Revenue £1,100.7m (2024), ~8,000 employees, manufacturing in 20+ countries, and a global customer portfolio. A UK PLC with head office located in Windsor, Berkshire UK.  Listed on London Stock Exchange; Member of the FTSE 250 Index.

The Quality Engineer Specialist will be responsible for ensuring products produced meet quality standards while adhering to company procedures, minimizing costs, and maximizing customer satisfaction.  Responsible for identifying and raising quality issues and for speedily resolving them to ensure zero impact to the customer. Support new product introductions to ensure the robustness of product builds. Work in a team environment to develop and implement best practices that emphasize defect prevention, reduction in variation and waste and provide for continuous improvements in meeting all customer requirements. Manage the customer specific requirements and offer technical support. Responsible for multiple highly complex major projects requiring innovative original solutions where results are key to successful completion of major projects. Work mostly independently with minimal supervision and work is reviewed at project milestones and/or on completion by Senior Management. This position will be responsible for ensuring incoming materials meet required quality standards and the identification and resolution of quality issues with zero impact to our customers. The Quality Engineering Specialist will lead and/or support groups of quality technicians and engineers.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage all quality-related issues within the manufacturing team (e.g., internal, supplier, customer, and customer warranty)
• Identify root cause and instigate permanent corrective actions for product quality issues.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to resolve quality issues that arise as quickly and efficiently as possible to prevent compromising quality and safety standards.
• Carry out product and process auditing.
• Assist with all PPAP documentation is implemented effectively and maintained. Including but not limited to Process Flow, Control Plan, PFMEA, MSA, Capability Study.
• Monitor and report on quality-related key performance indicators including scrap monitoring and rework levels.
• Participate in cross-functional teams in the development of new products or changes related to current products in meeting customer requirements.
• Ensure compliance and assist with adherence to the Quality Management system (TS16949/ISO9001)
• Assist with drafting and verifying product test procedures for accuracy.
• Undertake special projects as required. (e.g. FI team, help other teams identify root cause, 6S.
• Create and lead quality training.
• Report as required on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to adhere to process and prevent occurrence of any non-conformity relating to product, process or system.
• Assist with first off sample approvals.
• Promote the use of customer preferred techniques for continuous improvement such as Six-Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), and Measurement System Analysis.
• Participate in cross-functional teams in the development of new products or changes related to current products in meeting customer requirements.
• Participate in the development and refinement of Design and Process FMEA’s (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
• Manage and coordinate customer PPM (Parts per Million), supplier PPM, supplier problem solving on time, cost recovery and supplier warranty indicators.
• Lead quality audits and internal audits.
• Support and lead process and continuous improvement activities
• Write reports and present progress at project meetings and to clients.
• Achieve goals within budget.
• Plan projects or subtasks so they may be tracked and presented.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years’ experience in quality control or related manufacturing field required.
• Bachelor’s degree in quality, engineering or related fields preferred.
• Previous experience with management/supervision of others preferred.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, process development, and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, particularly JDE, preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks.
• Ability to analyze data and plan improvement activities.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Communicate efficiently throughout the shop floor, management, suppliers and customers.
• Ability to work cohesively within a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing systems and processes.
• Quality certification a plus.
• Knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).
• Understanding of ISO14001, ISO9001, TS16949 and IATF preferred.

SCHEDULE DESCRIPTION

The typical schedule for this position is an 8-hour day shift, Monday through Friday.

Overtime and weekend work as needed.

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.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk.
• Frequently use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools and controls.
• The employee is frequently required to talk and hear to communicate with coworkers.
• Regularly required to climb, stoop, bend and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to push or pull with hands or arms, kneel or crouch.
• The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and the ability to distinguish shades and colors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position will work primarily on the in an office environment, however, will have periods of time on the production floor.
• The noise level in the work environment is consistently above 85 decibels when on the production floor.
• During summer months, employees may have to work in temperatures as high as 110 degrees for prolonged periods of time.
• Dust from machine processes is constantly present.
• The employee constantly works near mechanical parts and lift trucks.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or vapors or hazardous products such as degreasers and silicone spray.
• Required to wear steel-toed shoes, safety glasses and ear plugs in the manufacturing area.

Morgan Advanced Materials is an EEO/AA/M/W/D/V Employer Ind-1