Quality Engineer - ZIP-PAK

Company Overview: 
Founded in 1912, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) is a diversified, Fortune 200 manufacturing company that delivers specialized expertise, innovative thinking and value-added products to meet critical customer needs in a variety of industries. 

This position is within ITW’s Zip-Pak division.  Zip-Pak is the global leader in resealable solutions for the flexible packaging industry.  Our expertise in zipper, application technology, and packaging systems makes Zip-Pak the primary choice of brand owners, OEM’s, and converters for innovative resealable solutions.  

The Quality Engineer is a key member of the team reporting to the Site Operations Manager. The Quality Engineer is responsible for overseeing zipper manufacturing quality control effort, SQF and HACCP Product Safety programs, and developing a Quality vision and strategy for promoting a zero-defect culture across the organization. He or she will be driving continuous improvement to the quality management system and ensuring SQF standards are being met at the facility. The Quality Engineer will drive to provide root cause analysis on product defects. He or she, along with the Zip-Pak team members will work closely with engineering, production and purchasing to resolve product quality issues. The Quality Engineer will directly supervise one QA Technician.

• Develop and manage overall supplier quality program driving best practices throughout the supply base; work with team and suppliers to ensure root cause analysis is performed and corrective action plans are completed.
• Review CoA’s for incoming raw materials. Analyze to ensure adherence to Zip-Pak specifications.
• Responsible for all customer inquiries related to product safety, regulatory issues, and product-related technical questions.
• Manage the company’s corrective/preventative action and customer complaint system ensuring that failures are thoroughly resolved using root cause analysis and communicated timely and effectively to the customer.
• Lead SQF program in the facility and drive continuous improvement of quality systems using SPC and RCCA to ensure compliance and improve efficiency.
• Works with production team to identify improvements in manufacturing processes specific to error proofing and quality assurance.  Identify training needs and partner with departments to initiate and facilitate.
• Work with EIC and other Zip-Pak teams to develop, communicate, execute, and collect data from trials.
• Partners with the engineering team members in troubleshooting product design and performance issues.
• Partners with sales and marketing to determine exposure / impact of quality problems as well as potential improvements.
• Demonstrates computer skills required for the position – spreadsheet and database software and basic abilities to read and manipulate drawings.
• Applies 80/20 principals to daily operation.
• Maintain calibration of all quality control equipment and measurement devices.
• Shall lead and support Food Safety Culture activities within the organization in support of Food Safety Management System in accordance with the Food Safety Code for Manufacture of Food Packaging.
• Shall acknowledge the Zip-Pak policy of requesting self-reporting of any illness, foodborne pathogens, or diseases which may be transmitted to food products and food contact surfaces that may jeopardize food safety.
• Assist in providing training of team members in food safety, food defense, safety and other associated programs as identified by management.
• Generate weekly quality KPI reports and update the site leadership.

Knowledge & Experience

• 3+ years progressive experience in a factory manufacturing environment utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and/or Total Quality Management principles.
• Supervisory and/or leadership experience a plus
• 2+ years QA/QC experience including implementing and managing Quality Management Systems
• Proficient in SPC tools and techniques.  Demonstrated ability to facilitate SPC reviews, analysis data and formulate action plans.
• Proficient in RCCA tools and techniques.  Demonstrated ability to facilitate RCCA team sessions.
• Technical understanding of industrial engineered products with the ability to communicate technically to customers, suppliers, and co-workers.
• Personal attributes including strong leadership presence, high-energy, detail oriented, data analysis, and data driven decision making.
• Demonstrated proficiency with data analytics within Microsoft Excel, ERP Systems, and Microsoft Office
• Proven experience working with sophisticated business systems and processes including ITW 80/20, Toyota Production System, Danaher, etc. preferred.
• Plastics extrusion high-volume continuous manufacturing that includes working with extruder equipment, coilers/winders, dies preferred.

Education & Certification

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Engineering, Quality, or related field
• Professional Quality Certifications by ASQ (American Society for Quality) including Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence, Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean Six Sigma a plus

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.