Quality Manager - ITW

ITW Description:

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. Ranked among Fortune’s Magazine’s most admired companies, the company focuses on solid growth, improving profitability and strong returns across its worldwide platforms and divisions. These divisions serve customers and markets around the globe, with a significant presence in developed as well as emerging markets. 

Division Description

ITW Electrostatics, a division of Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW), part of Test, Measurement and Electronics segment is industry leading manufacturer and designer of static control devices for equipment makers and end users.  Electrostatics division revenues are ~$250MM per year and it is headquartered in Hatfield, PA USA. Division has operations in USA, Europe, China, and Asia, including nine manufacturing plants and 500+ employees. Electrostatics division brands include: SimcoION, Eltex, Pillar Technologies, Teknek, Opto Diode, Vortec, Paxton, AEGIS).

As a key member of the Electro Static Technology leadership team, a business within the Electrostatics Division, the Quality Manager reports directly to the Business Unit Manager and is responsible for providing day-to-day Quality support and is expected to be able to communicate status on process with colleagues, keep team members informed, and respond clearly to customer inquiries while maintaining positive and open relationships across all levels of the organization.  The Quality Manager is expected to use good judgment and discretion with highly confidential business and is able to effectively manage time, prioritize work load, handle multiple tasks without close supervision, and consistently meet deadlines to meet the needs of our customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead cross-functional project teams to implement continuous improvement activities. 
• Deliver practical, hands-on training to company personnel at all levels in various ITW toolbox and continuous improvement concepts, tools, and methods.
• Lead continuous improvement project steering committees.  Work with project leaders to communicate project scope, status, and results to Business Unit Manager. Identify and escalate project roadblocks, as necessary. 
• Ensure sustained improvement by creating documents, such work instructions, process maps and standard work document. 
• Directly involved in supporting process improvements and changes by providing technical support in the form of process evaluations, time studies, layout designs, etc.
• Apply a structured problem-solving mechanism, such as 8D or 5-why analysis to business problems, driving to root causes and ensure corrective actions are robust. 
• Interface with continuous improvement engineers at other ITW locations to share best practices and coordinate project efforts.
• Must be able to work effectively with and communicate well with employees at all levels of the company.

• Support all released products and manage product design changes for the entire product life cycle (from launch through obsolescence). 
• Assign resources to engineering projects and develop a system to evaluate the priority of projects.
• Ensure that new designs meet acceptable Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Testability (DFT), and Assembly (DFA) through close engagement with new product development teams. 
• Manage pilot builds and provide feedback to the design teams that seek to improve the quality and reliability of new products.
• Establish and maintain the factory production layout using sound Lean manufacturing techniques. 
• Develop, maintain, and improve production documentation, manufacturing equipment, and product testing methodology.
• Support with the customer escalation process to ensure that issues are resolved in an effective and timely manner.

• Ability to work with supply chain team in a fast-paced environment to take necessary actions based on EOL notifications and components availability.
• Process driven with the ability to create and modify critical business processes to meet the ever-changing business needs. 
• Lead continuous improvement activities with a focus on safety, quality, cost reduction, and efficiency.
• A positive attitude focused on understanding, anticipating, and responding to the needs of our customers, both internal and external to the department and organization.
• Exceptionally self-motivated and directed. Results oriented. Sets high goals for personal and team accomplishment.
• Strong coach with the ability to hire, develop and retain a diverse pipeline of great talent. Direct experience of managing and developing a team of highly capable employees.
• A global mindset. Must be culturally aware and be able to build constructive and effective relationships across the organization.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills with the ability to present at all levels of the organization.

• Use 80/20 thinking to continuously analyze processes and identify actions to reduce complexity in finance and manufacturing.
• Clear and Concise / Articulates Business Strategies and Performance
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Business Unit Manager

People Leadership and Talent Development:

• Develop and lead professionals focused on profitable growth, improving customer satisfaction and simplifying business processes.
• Ensure ITW Toolbox and 80/20 culture is fully embedded within the team
• Identify, lead and develop talent in order to maximize individual, team and organizational effectiveness in meeting company goals. This may include: selecting and on-boarding talent; communicating effectively to foster a culture of engagement, cascading vision, creating goal alignment, and coaching through feedback, development planning and performance management.
• Use personal influence skills rather than position power to persuade others and gain support.
• Champion the effective use of change management principles, strategies and techniques to plan, implement and evaluate change.
• Builds a strong pipeline of talent to ensure a diverse high performing organization.
• Use appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas and plans. Coaches through feedback, development planning and performance management
• Lead a change management process to build organizational capability to sell solutions using a consultative approach. 
• Identify, develop and monitor development plans for direct reports and high potential leaders. 

• BS/BA degree in Engineering related field required, preferably within a manufacturing organization. MBA is not required but is a plus
• 6+ years of demonstrated experience in Engineering, Continuous Improvement & Quality. Automotive experience is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to be the business partner/advisor to the Business Unit Manager. Strong influence and collaboration skills.
• Experience in manufacturing environment, translating KPIs into immediate improvement actions, decreasing costs/increasing revenue.
• Partnering with leadership and influencing strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to remain objective and independent as a guardian of good business practices and controls while also able to troubleshoot and manage the risks inherent in growth initiatives that support division strategies.
• Strong IT knowledge with excellent computer skills 
• Customer centric, always bringing forth the Customer’s perspective.
• Ability to shift priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to partner with leadership and influence strategic initiatives.
• Travel Requirement <10%

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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.