Supervisor Quality Control

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

Responsible for the coordination of the safe day-to-day operations of the Quality Control Laboratory. Ensure that test methods comply with internal, ISO, ASTM, government, and industry standards. Ensure the provision of analytical testing support to Longview Operations departments, HSE Environmental, Maintenance Reliability, and, as needed, Technical Service & Development (TS&D), Product Development & Stewardship, Research & Support Technology Labs, Product Regulatory, Lake Charles Operations, and customers. Responsible for the preparation and maintenance of routine and non-routine test procedures and equipment.

Responsible for the Quality Assurance group. Supervise the work of the Quality Assurance (QA) Specialists. Responsible for oversight of the site quality program that ensures that all products released for shipment meet or exceed customers' fitness-for-use requirements, including disposition of non-conforming product. These functions require a working knowledge of the Longview products, personnel, and business practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform duties in a manner that protects personal safety as well as the safety of all personnel on site. Follow Company policies and programs, including all HSE policies and procedures.When appropriate, promptly report Safety, Health, or Environmental incidents or issues to management so the situation can be corrected.Attend weekly Safety meetings to help prevent off-site and job accidents.Establish and lead a laboratory safety program.
• Interpret, explain, and administer Company personnel policies and departmental instructions as they apply to employees supervised.Explain, reinforce, and enforce Company and departmental policies.
• Ensure that the laboratory performs to high-quality standards, including the establishment and maintenance of control standards for critical laboratory tests.Ensure that laboratory equipment is properly calibrated, according to ISO 9001 requirements.
• Lead first line team, seeking assistance from outside resources, technical support or departmental supervision as needed.Oversee the Lead Technician, Sr. Technician, Lab Technician, Day Technician, and QA Specialist daily assignments and priorities.
• Ensure that the overall training for QA Specialist and QC Lab personnel is well coordinated.Assign and direct personnel regarding the training of laboratory technicians and other appropriate personnel in the use of laboratory instrumentation and equipment.Assist in the preparation of appropriate training materials and help coordinate the continuing education of QA and laboratory personnel.
• Complete all computer-based training modules as assigned and ensure that employees supervised do the same.
• Clearly communicate expectations for employees supervised and follow up with appropriate reinforcement.Complete annual Performance Appraisals and review with employees supervised, i.e. QA Specialists, QC Day, Lead, and Lab Technicians. Objectively evaluate employee performance and seek opportunities for improvement in all job classifications.
• Assign and direct personnel to ensure that lab equipment is operational.Assign personnel to write work orders, issue Safe Work and Open Flame permits, and assign responsibility for Lockout-Tagout of equipment.Oversee the preventative maintenance program for lab equipment and instruments.
• Utilizing the Enterprise Document Management System (EDMS), assign and direct personnel regarding creation, revision, and maintenance of laboratory SOPs.Ensure maintenance of instrument and equipment operating procedures. Approve laboratory SOPs.
• Responsible for the oversight of the site quality program for evaluating raw material fitness-for-use, reviewing batch new-make testing records, reviewing shipment testing records, reviewing customer complaint database information, and reviewing manufacturing records.
• Work with Operations, TS&D, and business teams to develop and implement improvements to the site quality assurance processes to ensure that only the product that meets customer fitness-for-use is released for shipment.
• Oversee the QA process for disposition of non-conforming product, including product that does not initially meet specifications and product that cannot be assigned to an order through the SAP Batch Determination transaction.
• Authorize, initiate, and approve new or revised Sales Specifications, Formula Approval Sheets, Formula Specifications, Sampling Plans, and Customer Specifications.
• Approve all new raw material specifications to ensure compliance with all site quality procedures and processes. Ensure maintenance of raw material specification files.
• Attend ISO Internal Auditor Training.
• Serve as Lead Auditor/Auditor for Westlake Internal Audits.
• Follow Level II and III SOPs in accordance with ISO 9001 requirements and ensure supervised employees do the same.
• Coordinate with Operations, TS&D, Technology Labs and Product Regulatory to ensure all Westlake products comply with required governmental mandates.
• Serve as a technical resource for third-party and customer audits, and customer visits.
• Direct the selection, set-up and operation of new laboratory testing equipment, seeking appropriate input from the QC Lab Chemist and/or Technology Lab resources.
• Ensure coordination of work schedules, including overtime when needed.
• Ensure location and sourcing of special testing with outside laboratories.
• Establish a program for maintenance of lab supplies inventory.
• Attend appropriate seminars, conferences and training programs.
• Maintain contact with vendors to keep abreast of new instrumentation and equipment used in the polymer industry that may benefit Westlake labs.
• Write monthly reports of work performed.
• Attend morning Production Meetings as required.
• Maintain ASTM membership and attend D20 committee meetings.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by management.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or the equivalent is required.
• B.S. or A.A. Degree in Chemistry or lab related field preferred, but not required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in quality/lab processes and operation.
• Knowledge of Polyethylene and Epolene production facilities is required.
• Knowledge of analytical and physical testing requirements and instrumentation used for each production area is required.
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication skills is required.
• Software/computer experience is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This job is performed mainly in control room or office setting; physical presence is required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; have full use and range of motion of arms, hands and fingers to reach, grasp, hold, push or pull, twist, and work with tools; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to perform tasks that may require bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, lying down or working from elevated platforms. The employee must be able to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to see details of objects that are more/less than a few feet away; see differences between colors, shades, and brightness, and determine the distance between objects. This job requires a response to audible emergency alarms inside of the plant. Employees must be able to evacuate when required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee must be able to work in a normal factory environment, including enclosed spaces and exposure to various hazards. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, as it is normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units, which can require the use of required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, flame-retardant clothing, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require the use of stairs and elevators. Travel, including air travel or auto travel, may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here.You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.