Product Quality Manager (Switchgear/PowerGen)

Product Quality Manager (Switchgear/PowerGen) Job Highlights

Company Profile

Southern Company is one of the largest energy providers. The company owns electric utilities in four states and natural gas distribution utilities in seven states. It is a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications.

Job Profile

The company is seeking a Product Quality Control Manager who will ensure the quality, functionality, and overall conformity of the products being manufactured, packaged, and assembled.

Lead a team of Switchgear and PowerGen.

Educational Qualification

• Applicants should have a Bachelor’s Degree from a college/university (preferred)
• However, in lieu of a Degree, a Combination of Education, industry-related full-time work experience, and management experience will be considered.

Work Experience

• Possess 5+ years of experience in roles related to quality assurance or product testing with at least 2+ years of direct management experience of a quality or testing team.
• Experience with manufacturing ERP systems (SAP or IFS preferred)
• Practical, hands-on experience in troubleshooting manufacturing defects or deficiencies in electrical equipment and reciprocating generator sets, either in a factory test or field service/commissioning environment.
• Product knowledge and experience in the operating of electrical switchgear and reciprocating engine-generator sets is required.

Duties/Responsibilities

Product Quality Team Leadership-

• Manage Product Quality Control team for Switchgear and PowerGen at DI Campus. Lead supervisors and or team leads with weekly/monthly goals and assignments, inform them of quality issues or customer requirements, quality alerts and tasks to be completed throughout their respective shifts.
• Manage multiple, complex projects and changing priorities and make sound decisions under pressure in a team-oriented environment.
• Support the implementation of quality system changes and enhancements to drive manufacturing efficiencies, meet shipment commitments, and ensure internal and external customer satisfaction.
• Ensure quality reports and findings are reported to Production, Engineering, and Quality Assurance leadership in a timely fashion and provide monthly updates during the quality review meeting.
• Act as a catalyst to ensure timely decisions are made on non-conformities – ensuring participation and buy-in (sign-off) from both Engineering and Production Leadership.
• Maintain product quality by developing and enforcing quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures in response to defects found during quality inspections and field commissioning.
• Ensure a feedback loop is in place to measure manufacturing defects found during on-site commissioning and take corrective actions in the assembly and process to rectify.
• Participate in internal quality system audits.
• Develop feedback loops to identify and correct defects discovered in the quality phase that originated in the production process.
• Represent and encourage a continuous improvement culture within the production team.
• Drive measurable improvement in DPU (Defects per Unit) identified in the field.
• Monitor and maintain budgeted utilization rates established by leadership.
• Unquestionable Integrity (do the right thing…always, honesty, clear communications, adherence, and leadership on all aspects of financial and policy compliance.

People Leadership-

• Coach, mentor and develop a strong team capable of supporting all aspects of quality control and creating world-class inspection capabilities.
• Establishes annual goals and objectives, (including stretch targets) in coordination with corporate objectives and manages performance to ensure attainment.
• Possess strong leadership skills: Team development, ability to influence across all levels of the organization, assessment/individual development of others, feedback/coaching, delegation, motivating others, performance management, and clearly communicating expectations.
• Lead improvement initiatives to meet DPU reduction goals.
• Manage, mentor, and develop Product Quality Control team members and create career growth opportunities and robust succession plans within the team.
• Promote and enable development of staff, manage, and document performance, and implement responsive actions.
• Strategic thinker with confidence and speed in execution.
• Strong interpersonal skills (relationship building, teamwork, interpersonal insight, conflict resolution, customer orientation).
• Excellent communication skills (verbal communication, listening, written communication).
• Personal characteristics (motivation/commitment, flexibility, assertiveness, development orientation, resilience, quality orientation).

Cost out and Efficiency Improvements-

• Drive (measurable) defect per unit (DPU) reductions in repeat-build products.
• Drive in process quality improvements to reduce rework.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Demonstrated competency with basic quality control processes, and a passion for right-the-first-time quality.
• Ability to read and communicate in English.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical assembly drawings, coating and weld symbols, work instructions, and written directions.

Work Environment

• Require extended periods in an office environment viewing a computer screen.
• Required to monitor the shop floor which presents noise, slip, trip, fall, and pinch hazards.
• Limited travel will be required (Less than 10%).
• Local travel between sites DI-Durham and DI-Randleman may be required.
• Must be able to work in an office environment with a lot of sitting and tolerate a full day of computer screen viewing.

Benefits/Perks

• Competitive pay and a matching 401(k) plan
• Employee Referral Program
• Flexible spending accounts/Health savings account
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Vacation, Company Holidays, Personal Days, and Sick Days
• Wellness Incentive Programs

Employer’s Statement

Southern Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The company considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.