Technical Manager

Position Summary

Supervise, organize, and maintain all activities related to quality assurance and manufacturing excellence for the Shuqualak Oriented Strand Board manufacturing facility to meet all production quality standards.  Organize and direct the process area teams to continuously improve manufacturing throughput, equipment uptime, and product quality for all processes at the Huber Engineered Woods Shuqualak Facility.  Assign, prioritize, and track responsibilities for the process improvement projects that improve EH&S, quality, throughput, and product costs.  Provide technical service and guidance to the plant and direct supervision to the area managers/process engineers.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Ensures employees supervised are trained in all applicable Federal and State laws, Huber Safety, MMSR procedures, and corporate policies. Empower employees to identify problems, develop creative and cost-efficient solutions. Develop and implement root cause and corrective action procedures. Utilize a cross-functional team to develop, continuously improve the accuracy of Process Control Plans for all products. Use statistical tools, techniques to reduce variation in process and product parameters. Develop/maintain standardized work practices throughout the plant. Work closely with R&D to support all approved trials of new products and technologies. Ensure that the highest standards of employee, customer, and public relations are maintained relative to their area of responsibility. Assist with customer complaints and claims. Make recommendations take actions necessary to address concerns and prevent recurrence. Make recommendations for changes in operating procedures, process equipment to improve efficiency and safety while working to eliminate downtime. Establish, maintain a database of critical process parameters and thoroughly document all experiments. Secure the availability of proper materials, qualified internal and external support for projects throughout Shuqualak, the division, through external contractors and other resources. Work directly with the Plant Manager, R&D, Sales and marketing to lead tours of the facility, showcase Shuqualak’s commitment to manufacturing excellence and quality. Assist production with new or modified equipment, processes through training, written operating procedures, and trial runs. Work with minimal supervision, provide direction, support, training through direct reports and the entire facility. Develop and implement control plans to sustain process improvements. Lead process improvement team in training, coaching operators on principles of operation, the effect of process variables on outcomes, operational procedures, and troubleshooting. Performs general physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs, moving whole body and multilimbed coordination.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

• A BS Degree is required in Wood Science, ME, IE, ChemE, EE, or a related discipline.  , Masters Degree preferred in Wood Products, Quality Assurance, or IE
• Five years of Wood Products experience
• Competence in statistics and statistical tools required:  SPC, Lean Sigma, etc.
• Familiarity with ISO 9000 desired
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Proficient in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, statistical packages
• Proven record of continuous improvement and process optimization
• Proven record of leadership responsibilities, action-oriented and results-driven
• Six Sigma experience a plus
• Knowledge of safety, environmental, and personnel rules and regulations

Major Challenges

• Organize and prioritize multiple engineering functions while utilizing the skills of the entire process improvement department to empower change and achieve the goals throughout the facility.
• Advise the Plant Manager promptly of deficiencies regarding engineering compliance and recommend appropriate actions to eliminate those deficiencies.
• Develop a vision that will aid in the predictability and overall productivity of the facility in a safe and environmentally sound manner
• Become familiar with all the environmental and mechanical systems to improve upon current efficiencies and propose changes and improvements as needed
• Exercise professionalism and practical communication skills while working with resources internally and externally in the coordination of work assignments and the delegation of work
• Acquire internal and external resources for training, services, or equipment as needed to ensure the achievement of goals promptly while maintaining set operating budgets
• Maintain good relationships with fellow managers throughout the facility and the division to ensure the best possible results on all projects
• Stay within all set budgetary standards and timelines.
• Ensure all products are manufactured according to specifications and that all quality-related issues are responded to expeditiously and professionally.
• Maximize efficiency and reduce costs through optimization, automation, and organization.
• Motivate employees to improve and reduce variation continuously during the assigned shift.
• Work with personnel in a manner that contributes to good employee morale and relations.
• Work with other team members, peers, and subordinates to build their awareness of quality and obtain their” buy-in” for quality-related opportunities.