Description

Quality Engineer

Company Overview

With approximately $800 million in revenue, The Carlstar Group, LLC (“Carlstar” or the “Company”) is a leading producer of specialty tires, wheels, and assemblies for diverse end markets including: lawn & garden, construction, power sports (primarily all-terrain vehicle tires), trailers, and agriculture.

Carlstar (and its predecessor) have been in the engineered rubber products business for over 100 years and sells its products under many of the most recognized brand names in their respective market segments including Carlisle, ITP, and Cragar, among others. In addition, the Company has one of the broadest distribution channels and the largest installed bases within its served North American markets. The Company is a strategic supplier to leading OEMs such as John Deere, Polaris, Husqvarna, Stanley Black & Decker, and BRP, and is sole sourced on a number of their leading platforms. Approximately 59% of Carlstar’s revenue is derived from higher margin aftermarket sales, leveraging the Company’s large installed base of OEM products. Carlstar has approximately 3,400 employees and operates four manufacturing facilities in both North America and China and twelve distribution centers.

Carlstar is engaged in serving lower volume, higher mix business where the Company must economically manage thousands of SKUs with low individual order quantities through a complex distribution network in a marketplace that highly values timely and accurate order fulfillment.

Through the implementation of efficient operational (enhanced SIOP, lean manufacturing, inventory planning, optimization of the distribution network, redesign and value engineering of compounds and products, improved process control, activity based costing, etc.) and intelligent commercial (dynamic pricing and material margin management, new product development, refined channel management, new account conquests, etc.) strategies, the company is targeting improving performance to over 12% EBITDA margins on substantially higher revenue over time. The company is on a very strong performance trajectory today.

To learn more about The Carlstar Group, please visit the company’s web site: https://www.carlstargroup.com/.

Position Summary:

The Carlstar Group is seeking a driven and motivated Quality Engineer to move our product forward and lead the way in the Tire Industry. In this role you will lead, coach, facilitate and support the implementation of quality initiatives, continuous improvement of Quality Management System (QMS), problem solve, perform data analysis, continuous improvement activities and interact routinely with Customers.

Pivotal Experience and Expertise:

Carlstar seeks a result -oriented, self-driven, hands-on Quality Engineer. A proven track record of leading change and implementing best practices in the plant’s products, processes, and the quality management system. 

• Liaison with company and Customers on Quality matters. Coordinate performance reports, on-site customer quality audits and the completion of self-audits as requested.
• Lead site Quality Technicians in meeting customer expectations in complaint and nonconforming investigation responses.
• Identify manufacturing and development constraints. Lead / facilitate structured problem solving to preform root cause failure analysis and define/ implement corrective and preventive actions to preclude recurrence.
• Assumes responsibility for various assigned projects designed to improve product quality, reduce costs and/or validate facility products or processes, including development and implementation of any new or required inspection methods and in-process SPC programs.
• Lead advance quality planning (APQP) activities for new / upgraded product. Lead / facilitate development of APQP elements including PFMEA, control plan, statistical process control, etc. leading to internal / external PPAP.
• Prioritize, plan, and execute work activities in alignment with department and company priorities with minimal supervision.
• Support the development and maintenance of QMS to ensure compliance to standards, including ISO9001. Conduct internal and external audits, publish findings and recommendations.
• Create reports, communicate and publish quality measurements and objectives.
• Engage in continuous improvement activities to support plant goals and objectives.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, is required.
• 3 years of experience in quality assurance preferred.

Leadership Capabilities & Culture Fit:

• Unquestionable integrity, ethics and judgment. The courage and ability to take a strong position when required for the good of the Company.
• Excellent communication skills. The ability to be collaborative and translate complex quality and operational issues in terms readily understandable to site leaders. 
• Highly intelligent and analytical, possessing the intellectual curiosity to probe and understand how the dimensions within their area of responsibility work and influence the broader business.
• Results-oriented approach to decision making. Proven ability to quickly assimilate and have an impact.
• Strong interpersonal skills. An ability to positively engage with people at all levels of the organization.
• Developing the acumen to zoom into the weaker points of situations through pointed questions and critical thinking, without seeking to embarrass or impress others, but to strengthen execution capabilities.
• He or she will embrace a philosophy of transparency, healthy debate, and accountability; and will work to weave them into the organization’s Standard Operating Procedure.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others