Quality Engineer II

At Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.

Quality Engineer II

The Quality Engineer II will be responsible for various aspects of Niagara’s quality program, which could include Beverage Quality, Water Quality, Packaging Quality and/or Quality Systems. The Quality Engineer will create and maintain Quality Assurance (QA) standard operating procedures, work with management representatives at all manufacturing plants, communicate quality system changes, create training work instructions, and collaborate closely with plant teams and department managers to ensure the system supports overall company goals.

Job Summary

The Quality Engineer will be responsible for various aspects of Niagara’s quality program, which could include Beverage Quality, Water Quality, Packaging Quality and/or Quality Systems. The Quality Engineer will create and maintain Quality Assurance (QA) standard operating procedures, work with management representatives at all manufacturing plants, communicate quality system changes, create training work instructions, and collaborate closely with plant teams and department managers to ensure the system supports overall company goals.

Essential Functions

• Quality Process Improvement – Performs quality focused engineering duties in the development and application of quality tools, methods, and systems that result in continual product quality improvements. Participates in the Quality Assurance functions within the manufacturing division by assisting in developing, implementing and administering quality specifications, test methodologies, and sampling plans for product and process.
• Project Work – Works with various Quality and Manufacturing representatives on developing and completing project requests to improve quality throughout the Niagara network.
• Data Collection and Analysis – Collects, analyzes, and presents Quality data for trending and for the development of Quality Performance Indicators. Applies statistical process control (SPC) methods for analyzing data to evaluate the current process and process changes. Develops new approaches to solve problems identified during quality assurance activities.
• Communication – Communicates significant issues or developments identified during quality assurance activities and provide recommended process improvements to management.
• CI and Lean - Drives lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles throughout the organization using value stream mapping and other lean tools.
• Training – Participates in and conducts ongoing training in the areas of Quality Assurance, lean manufacturing and Six Sigma. Assists in new plant start-ups, new line installs, performing training and standardization for new QA teams.
• Lead beverage project rollouts, this could include new beverage scale-ups, rollouts or implementations. Identify and resolve any outstanding engineering problems associated with running a new beverage product. Create new beverage specification documents to detail how new products should be produced/processed in order to ensure appropriate quality levels throughout production.
• Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Projects – Ability to lead LSS projects across multiple plants and departments. Understand LSS methodologies to drive continuous efforts to improve process efficiencies and reduce waste. A focus on achieving measureable and quantifiable financial returns for the company.
• New Plant Start-ups – This position will participate extensively with New Plant Start-ups. They will be an on-site resource for these start-ups providing training, and expertise to the plant staff. This will also include new line start-ups where necessary.
• Travel – Travel expectations will be a minimum of 50%

• Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • 2-4 years - Quality Engineering Work Experience.
  • 2-4 years - Plant Level QA Experience

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

• Travel
  • 50% - on average travels 2 weeks out of the month

• Preferred Qualifications:
  • 3-5 years - Quality Engineering Work Experience.
  • 3-5 years - SQL, ODBC, and PLC Programming Experience.
  • 2-4 years - Plant Quality Manager Experience.
  • 2-4 years - Beverage Quality Experience including hot fill, cold fill and aseptic processes (including low acid, high acid, and acidified experience)

• experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Competencies

We seek that our Quality Engineer embodies the values of Niagara’s LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:

• Lead Like an Owner
  • Makes safety the number one priority
  • Keeps alert for safety issues and escalates immediately
  • Effectively prioritizes tasks based on department goals
  • Shows respect to others and confronts interpersonal issues directly
  • Prioritizes resolution of customer issues effectively
  • Responds promptly and honors commitments to internal and external customers
• InnovACT
  • Makes recommendations to continuously improve policies, methods, procedures, and/or products
  • Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations or circumstances
  • Increases performance through greater efficiency
• Find a Way
  • Seeks to develop technical knowledge through learning from other experts
  • Understands interdepartmental impact of individual decisions and actions
  • Seeks solutions rather than placing blame
• Empowered to be Great
  • Consistently looks for ways to improve one’s self through growth and development opportunities
  • Communicates clearly and promptly up, down, and across
  • Communicates effectively to manage expectations

Additionally, the ideal candidate has the following competencies:

• Experience and knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodology principles.
• Experience with statistical process control software.
• Experience in manufacturing plants and knowledge of plant processes.
  • Hot Fill process + Pasteurization – to include all aspects of thermal treatment: Heat exchangers, hold tubes, divert valves, filling, flow pumps and meters, cooling tunnels, inversion tunnels, RTDs
  • Batching – to include function and operation of storage silos, shear mixers, batch tanks, proportioning, batching practices, batching recipes
  • Sanitation – To include function and operation of CIP systems, CIP recipes, COP, SSOPs, CIP system validation
  • Aseptic processing experience, to include:
    • New Line Validation and Low Acid Regulatory Filing
    • New product/packaging validations
    • QA testing requirements
    • UHT processing and homogenization
    • Aseptic filling and cap disinfection
    • Hygiene and Microbiology
    • Ingredient handling: Allergen, Organic, Vegan, Kosher
  • Reverse Osmosis
  • Bottle Water Production
  • PET Blow molding
  • Plastic Injection
  • General Microbiology Practices
  • Chemical Analysis Techniques
• Demonstrated skill with information systems and technology trends.
• Knowledge and understanding of food safety and food quality - Possess clear understanding of critical processing factors to make sure food safety is not compromised
  • SQF practitioner
  • HACCP/PCQI certified
  • BPCS certified
  • Aseptic Workshop/Validation training
  • Acidified regulation + implementation
• Ability to communicate effectively with different levels of personal.
• Ability to lead projects to completion and work effectively without direct supervision

Education

• Minimum Required:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry or Science related field

• Preferred:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Chemical), Food Science or Science related field

Certification/License:

• Required: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
• Preferred: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Foreign Language

• Required: None Required
• Preferred: Native or Bilingual Proficiency, Spanish

Typical Compensation Range

Pay Rate Type: Salary

$85,939.00 - $105,490.00

Benefits

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits

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Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit résumé to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit résumé into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.