Quality Assurance/Quality Control Senior Specialist

SUMMARY

The Quality Assurance & Quality Control Senior Specialist serves as a senior technical resource within the Quality Department and supports both Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) activities throughout the manufacturing operation. The position is responsible for supporting product and process conformity, supporting the effectiveness of the Quality Management System, providing technical guidance to Quality Team Members, and assisting Manufacturing and other departments with the identification, containment, investigation, and prevention of quality concerns and technical expertise and advisement.

The Senior Specialist is expected to demonstrate advanced knowledge of inspection and measurement methods, customer and engineering requirements, nonconforming product controls, problem-solving methods, and applicable quality procedures. The position serves as a technical escalation point and provides coaching, training, and guidance to Quality Team Members while promoting built-in quality, process discipline, and prevention of defects. The Senior Specialist also supports the continuous improvement efforts as they pertain to general organization, 4S+ and process/procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Inspection & Measurement

• Perform and verify dimensional, visual, functional, and other product inspections according to drawings, specifications, control plans, inspection standards, and procedures.
• Interpret customer drawings, progression drawings, specifications, tolerances, and inspection requirements.
• Operate and provide technical support for applicable measurement equipment, including micrometers, calipers, indicators, projectors, Contracer/profile equipment, three-point rollers, and other laboratory or production measurement systems.
• Verify inspection results when abnormal, questionable, or conflicting measurements are identified and assist with measurement method selection and resolution of measurement discrepancies.

Quality Assurance & QMS Support

• Support compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, applicable customer-specific requirements, and company Quality Management System requirements.
• Review procedures, work instructions, inspection standards, forms, and quality records for accuracy and compliance.
• Support internal, customer, and third-party audits as assigned and assist with implementation and verification of resulting corrective actions.
• Identify gaps in quality systems or process controls and escalate concerns to Quality leadership.

Nonconforming Product & Containment

• Initiate and coordinate containment activities when suspect or nonconforming material is identified.
• Ensure nonconforming product is properly identified, segregated, documented, and dispositioned.
• Assist in determining containment boundaries, clean points, traceability, and affected quantities.
• Support customer containment and sorting activities when required and verify effectiveness before closure or release.

Problem Solving & Corrective Action

• Participate in and facilitate structured problem-solving activities using methods such as 5-Why, PDCA, 8D, fishbone analysis, Pareto analysis, and other appropriate quality tools.
• Assist with root cause determination for product, process, measurement, and system-related nonconformities.
• Support development, implementation, and verification of corrective and preventive actions.
• Analyze quality data to identify recurring defects, trends, and opportunities for improvement and escalate recurring or high-risk concerns.

Measurement Systems & Laboratory Support

• Support calibration and verification activities for inspection and measurement equipment.
• Assist with MSA and Gauge R&R studies and help establish standardized measurement methods.
• Ensure measurement equipment is properly identified, maintained, stored, and used within calibration status.
• Maintain required laboratory environmental conditions and associated records.

Manufacturing Quality Support

• Provide floor-level Quality support to Manufacturing, Heat Treatment, Sorting, Shipping, and other applicable processes.
• Respond to abnormal conditions and assist in determining whether production may continue, requires containment, or requires Quality leadership escalation.
• Verify compliance with control plans, standardized work, inspection requirements, reaction plans, and product identification/traceability requirements.
• Promote quality control by process and participate in cross-functional activities intended to prevent defects, mixed parts, mislabeling, and other quality concerns.

Training & Technical Leadership

• Train and coach Quality Team Members on inspection methods, measurement equipment, procedures, quality requirements, and abnormal-condition response.
• Verify Team Member understanding and proper application of established inspection methods.
• Serve as a technical resource for less-experienced Quality personnel and assist Quality leadership with development of training materials and qualification requirements.
• Promote consistent application of Quality standards across shifts and departments.

Documentation, Data & Continuous Improvement

• Accurately complete and review inspection records, reports, spreadsheets, databases, and other Quality documentation for completeness, accuracy, traceability, and compliance.
• Analyze inspection, defect, scrap, sorting, customer complaint, and other quality data and assist in preparation of Quality reports and performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities to reduce inspection dependency through improved process controls and prevention.
• Participate in improvement of inspection methods, digital measurement systems, SPC, error-proofing, automated inspection technologies, Kaizen, 4S+, TPS, and other continuous improvement activities.

SENIOR-LEVEL AUTHORITY AND EXPECTATIONS

The Senior Specialist is expected to independently recognize abnormal quality conditions and take appropriate action within established authority. This includes initiating containment, stopping the release or movement of suspect material, requesting additional inspection, escalating potential customer risk, and providing technical direction regarding established Quality requirements.

The Senior Specialist provides technical leadership but does not have direct supervisory authority unless specifically assigned. Decisions involving final product disposition, customer notification, significant process changes, deviations, or other matters requiring management approval shall be escalated to the appropriate Quality Section Manager or Quality Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated ability to independently perform advanced QA/QC activities and recognize normal versus abnormal conditions.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing inspection methods, quality documentation, containment, root cause analysis, and corrective action.
• Ability to read and interpret customer and engineering drawings, specifications, procedures, control plans, and inspection standards.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, AIAG Core Tools, and customer-specific requirements preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and applicable quality/measurement software and databases.
• Strong communication, coaching, organization, judgment, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
• Must have a quality background.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Associate degree or technical certificate in Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant manufacturing Quality experience. Typically, five (5) or more years of progressive Quality Control/Quality Assurance experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred. Automotive manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Working knowledge of blueprint/drawing interpretation, GD&T fundamentals, dimensional inspection, hand measurement equipment, measurement systems, calibration concepts, MSA/Gauge R&R, SPC fundamentals, control plans, PFMEA, nonconforming product control, containment, root cause analysis, and corrective action.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, customer and engineering requirements, procedures, and quality system documentation. Ability to prepare clear reports, records, correspondence, and technical documentation and to communicate effectively with Team Members, management, customers, suppliers, and auditors as applicable.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply basic mathematics, decimals, fractions, percentages, tolerances, unit conversions, and statistical concepts required for dimensional inspection, measurement analysis, SPC, and quality data review.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical quality problems, evaluate risk, recognize abnormal conditions, interpret information from multiple sources, and determine appropriate containment, escalation, and follow-up within established authority.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. The Team Member may be required to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, use hands for measurement and computer activities, and move containers or samples associated with inspection activities. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in both office/laboratory and manufacturing environments. The Team Member may be exposed to moving mechanical equipment, production processes, oils or manufacturing residues, and moderate to elevated noise levels. Required personal protective equipment and all company safety requirements shall be followed.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Indiana Automotive Fasteners is a team environment. The Senior Specialist is expected to demonstrate professional conduct, teamwork, respect, accountability, constructive communication, and proactive problem solving. Concerns shall be addressed through appropriate leadership and escalation channels. Discriminatory, threatening, abusive, or otherwise inappropriate conduct is not tolerated.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Performs assigned QA/QC functions independently with minimal supervision and maintains accurate, timely, and traceable quality records.
• Recognizes and promptly escalates abnormal conditions, customer risk, and potential product conformity concerns.
• Provides effective containment and technical support and follows concerns through appropriate closure.
• Demonstrates effective participation in problem solving and corrective action and supports prevention of repeat quality concerns.
• Trains and coaches other Team Members on established procedures and measurement methods and promotes consistent application of standards.
• Supports audit readiness, QMS compliance, cross-functional cooperation, and prevention-focused continuous improvement.
• Data collection, system development, record keeping of critical functions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I acknowledge that I have reviewed and understand the duties, responsibilities, and expectations of the Quality Assurance & Quality Control Senior Specialist position. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities and may be revised based on business needs.