NFW is a circularity platform for plastic-free performance materials. NFW follows three Ground Rules in everything we develop: start well, stay clean, end well. While nearly everything in the built world relies on some type of plastic that began as crude oil and that will become plastic pollution, we are establishing a new material reality. We believe all materials should begin and end as nutrients, ready for the next growth cycle—true circularity.
Our multi-material platform serves a wide range of industries—from fashion and footwear to automotive and upholstery. NFW technology embeds seamlessly into existing supply chains, enabling the world’s most iconic brands to design and scale products with high-performance, plastic-free materials. NFW makes global brands more sustainable, empowering them to create without plastics. Alongside the boldest brands and visionary designers, we are pioneering a naturally circular, post-oil economy
NFW is a company of trailblazers, innovators and bold thinkers, committed to reinventing the way things are made. We never stop learning. We are fiercely curious about the world and how to improve it for everyone. We offer competitive salary, paid vacation and sick time, flexible work-life balance, great colleagues and more!
Responsibilities
Work with senior leadership to develop and implement strategies resulting in measurable improvements within quality programs.
Establish meaningful performance metrics, collect and analyze data, implement appropriate corrective actions and then compile critical reports.
Build cross-functional relationships across the company that support collaborative problem solving.
Inspire confidence and creativity across the company through the development of a continuous im-provement culture that embraces thoughtful dialogue and open exchange of ideas, and fact-based management decision making.
Maintain shop-floor presence, active participation in the manufacturing process and problem solving.
Provide oversight of the requirements for ISO Quality Management System (QMS) for NFW’s business model to ensure internal documentation, internal auditing, and any reporting requirements are achieved.
Develop quality control objectives and processes to ensure that NFW is integrating quality into overall processes to meet QMS objectives.
Evaluate and monitor supplier performance, identify areas of improvement, and oversee corrective action implementation.
Partner with department management to evaluate preventative measures for in-process products through random inspection, dock auditing and maintenance or a statistical process control program, as well as analyzing data to evaluate the current process and changes.
Analyze and make recommendations to develop, implement, and control all procedures directly relating to product quality.
Partner with cross-functional leadership to investigate nonconformities and develop, initiate, and verify corrective actions.
Record and track the measurement of quality using the cost of quality as a reflection of the price of nonconformance.
Help lead the organization in implementation of lean, standardized work and continuous improvement activities utilizing Six Sigma.
Establish and audit application of critical in process measurements required to predict finished goods quality.
Establish workflow policies that enhance speed and efficiency without compromising product safety or integrity.
Acts as liaison with Research and Development teams to plan and execute applicable material inspections and audits as required for manufacturing excellence.
Oversee a diverse workforce of Quality team members and engineers.
Create schedules for employees to ensure optimum staffing levels.
Leads special projects as required.
Requirements
A bachelor's degree in a related field and 5-7 years of applicable work experience in the automotive, textile, or rubber industry, with at least 3 years in a leadership role, or an equitable combination of education and experience as required to successfully perform the indicated tasks.
Excellent project management skills.
Proven track record of advancing product quality through application of structured problem analysis and countermeasure identification and implementation.
Fluent understanding and working of ANSI/ASQC ISO 9001, with preference for leadership of at least 1 QMS implementation.
Proven experience with LEAN Manufacturing and Six SIGMA tools.
Fluency in QAP (Quality at the Process), FMEA, GMP, PPAP, HAACP, and other accepted monitoring and control systems and programs required within effective product manufacturing.
Additional preference will be provided for Six SIGMA certification
Additional preference provided for Certification in ANSI/ASQC ISO 9001.
Additional preference provided for verifiable LEAN implementation experience.
Ability to coach and mentor team members on a one-on-one basis as well as motivate as a team.
Ability to work in ambiguity and create structure
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to success-fully perform the essential functions of this job.
This position primarily operates within an office or manufac-turing environment, which may be loud, dusty, hot, or cold.
Additional physical requirements include frequent talking, hearing, and seeing.
Frequent use of hands to grasp, handle, or feel objects.
Pushing and pulling on work objects with hands.
Working with hot and cold surfaces.
Safely working with job related sharp objects.
Regular standing, walking, sitting, and reaching.
Regular stooping, kneeling, crouching, occasional climbing, typ-ically on a stepladder or stairs.
Frequent lifting of up to 35 pounds; and occasional team lifting up to 50lbs.
Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more),
Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point),
Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships),
Ability to focus (ability to adjust eye to bring an object into sharp focus).
Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and walkie-talkies.
Regularly required to use PPE.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Company is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team in which members of all backgrounds can contribute and thrive. In compliance with state and federal law, the Company does not discriminate in employment or administration of its programs and policies on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service. Our policy reflects and affirms the Company’s commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all unlawful discriminatory practices.