The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading the quality assurance program at the respective Watco Railcar Services LLC facility. The Quality Assurance Manager implements and maintains processes in accordance with the Watco Railcar Services, LLC. Quality Policies and Procedures, Association of American Railroads (“AAR”), Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, Specification for Quality, and related AAR rules and technical standards. The Quality Assurance Manager is also accountable for achieving targets established for customer satisfaction and profitability by improving quality and service delivery. The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for creating, reviewing, analyzing, accepting or rejecting, as applicable, reports for nonconformance data with a focus for continuous improvement. The Quality Assurance Manager must participate in AAR, FRA, Customer or Internal Quality Assurance facility audits and certification events.
Participates and supports Widely Important Goals (WIG)
Leads Quality Team communication; ensures QA updates are rolled out at the facility
Ensures implementation, oversight, and management of the Quality Assurance Program on a site level basis
Leads internal audits, external audits (AAR, customer, etc.), and customer site visits
Evaluates quality workload demands to determine adequate resource allocation to support facility Quality Assurance
Ensures process nonconformance’s (PNC) are accurately entered/reported into the PNC Intelex application
Analyzes process nonconformance data with a goal of identifying continuous improvement opportunities
Communicates quality improvement opportunities to site production management, and partners with production management in leading changes to improve overall results.
Supervises and/or coordinates daily activities for Inspections
Ensures adherence to Watco safety policies and procedures
Recommends personnel actions for QA department including hiring, disciplinary action, performance management, promotions and other personnel changes;
Contributes to the overall performance from the standpoints of safety, quality, profitability
Manages in-process inspection and final inspection audits to ensure compliance with quality program
Facilitates root cause and corrective action processes with cross-functional operations team
Identifies improvement opportunities for Watco procedures and practices and communicates details to the Corporate Quality leadership
Ensure all required customer regulatory and Watco standards, specifications and instruction are maintained
Evaluates and coordinates with the Plant Manager and Functional Leaders the quality training needs
Performs other duties as required by Corporate Quality leadership
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Proficient in computer software applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, MS Visio, Intelex, Entrust, Syspro,
Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships
Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to positively influence team members at all levels of the business
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, and tasks of the team
Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships and teamwork with proven leadership skills
Ability to pay close attention to detail
Ability to make independent judgments within scope of responsibility
Education and Experience
High school diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred
Familiar with ISO compliant quality system and related elements.
Minimum of 3 years in a quality role preferred.
Switching and Railcar Repair experience preferred.
Classes or training in quality programs, quality auditing or quality inspection preferred.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Required to use personal protective equipment as environmental conditions dictate.
Ability to work in all weather conditions including hot/cold, dry/wet and dusty conditions.
Position is required to exert up to 50lbs of force occasionally.
Travel is required approximately 15% of the time.