Palfinger products have set the industry standard for more than 80 years.  As a member of the Palfinger North America Group (www.palfinger-northamerica.com), we continuously pursue our vision of being the preferred provider of truck equipment throughout North and Latin America. If you like contributing your talents, being rewarded for strong performance and enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishment, then we think you have found the right place to come and build a future.  It is our belief that you will join a company with a strong heritage and more importantly, a strong future.

Title: Quality Assurance Manager, Trenton NJ

Nature and Scope:

 The Quality Assurance Manager reports to the Trenton Plant Manager and will have a functional Line to the Regional Quality Manager of North American Region. The role will directly support Trenton’s Quality and Operations. This position is key part of the Trenton Operations staff. This position assists and supports the Operations and Product Lines related Quality staff to support both the tactical and strategic programs as directed by the plant manager and the Regional Quality Manager.

Additional Job Requirements:

The selected manager must be able to perform effectively in each of these areas:

Quality:

 Continuously improve the Trenton Product for safe & high-quality products and processes

• Audits of processes and products, from design process to Trenton Quality Management Systems (QMS) against industry, national and international standards such as ISO 9001-2015
• Focus on data, the measurability and transparency of quality results (KPIs)
• Overall support for the Trenton and as needed for the NAM Regional QM-Systems Responsibility through Operations Management
• Support Product Line Quality Management (PLQM) for Trenton Product quality requirements for the Product Line
• Support PLQM for risk analyses / FMEA’s (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
• Auditing Trenton’s and Trenton’s Suppliers QMS’s to ensure the manufacturing of high Quality and low risk product and process management for the Trenton site
• Actively Support all project management for the PLQM for Trenton quality products/processes and turnkey solutions
• Collect, Chart, report, manage and analyze warranty results including root cause analysis and preventive measures on at least a monthly and annual basis
• Install Product Line requirements for Incoming/Receiving Inspection, Internal gate Inspections and final testing/inspections
• Develop and implement a receiving inspection process that will prevent nonconforming product from getting into Trenton inventory
• Implement and manage the Material Review Board (MRB), collect the related data, report and chart the data
• Organize and manage regular Trenton meetings to review and manage Trenton Quality
• Develop/Implement a continuous improvement process to review other sites processes for best practices and benchmarking opportunities
• Support SAP Q-Module when implementation starts at the site
• Coordinate and manage Stop Shipments, Part Recall, Part Containment for the Trenton Site and be aware of other sites’ Recalls and part containment for similar issues in your responsible plant, working through Regional Quality for escalation
• Highly motivate and lead the plant quality engineers/inspectors to perform their work to the highest standards and professionalism while maintaining quality goals
• Plan and release the internal audit program using the Corporate Internal Audit format
• Responsible for all Trenton Incoming Quality, Internal Quality, MRB, final Product Quality and Warranty as it relates to internal Trenton quality
• Support plant quality management by developing inspection plans and tools according to product requirements (final testing)
• Recognize the need initiate and manage all quality improvement processes
• Observe reclamation process – plant-plant/plant-supplier together with supplier quality management
• Observe part inspection process (Supplier parts / Trenton products) - Final inspection of units, kits and installations
• Observe measuring tool management (gage calibration program) and quality related investments
• Develop and implement a training for plant quality, Palfinger quality culture and tools, …

Norms and Standards

• Managing the standards for Trenton, other local standards, regional standards together with experts from different departments
• Manage translation from European standards to local language
• At a minimum annually, check corporate P-Norms regarding local legal requirements
• Release new standards with proper documented training of standards, and proper document control
• Distribute and training for new or changed standards & norms for the local organization and suppliers – working with Regional Quality Manager and Supplier Quality Manager
• Develop and implement a system to share Trenton and PALFINGER QMS documents, standards with local suppliers in cooperation with Regional Quality Manager, Regional Supplier Quality Management

Required Skills, Knowledge and Characteristics:

These are the most important qualifications and characteristics:

• Strong effective communicator in writing, speaking, presenting, training in the English language with a focus on interpersonal communication.
• Highly developed, demonstrated teamwork skills with the ability to work with difficult personalities.
• Demonstrates a high degree of confidentiality and common sense when making decisions
• Able to direct the efforts of a team of diverse professionals and shop staff
• Demonstrated ability to increase productivity and continuously improve methods, approaches, and departmental contribution while being cost-sensitive.
• Commitment to continuous improvement while improving Quality
• Demonstrated ability to see the big picture and provide useful and strategic advice and input across the Trenton site and on the Trenton Management team.
• Experience working in a flexible, employee empowering work environment.
• High energy, professional, respectful, engaging and influential personality a must
• Willingness to travel up to 15%

Experience, Education and Skills – Quality Assurance Manager:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related Engineering or Industrial Management or Manufacturing Engineering or Management field
• 5 - 10 years of progressively more responsible positions in Quality, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• Expertise in the following areas: Quality Management Systems, Managing and implementation, drawing interpretation, measurement systems analysis, and FMEA
• Certifications from the American Society of Quality such as, CMQ/OE, CQE or CSSBB
• Fluent in English, working knowledge of German, Spanish a plus