Job Specifications
About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today - while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.
For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com
(c) 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.
Job Purpose
Lead and integrate Quality Control, Process Engineering and Continuous Improvement activities to ensure safe, reliable and cost-efficient production that meets or exceeds customer and regulatory requirements. Provide managerial and operational leadership for QC/QA teams, act as the process expert for the site, and champion Lean/Six-Sigma (ALPS/L6S) practices to continuously improve safety, quality, delivery, cost and material efficiency.
Member of local Management Team reporting to the Site Manager.
Key Accountabilities
Quality & Compliance
Lead Quality Assurance and Quality Control functions to ensure finished products, semi-finished goods and incoming raw materials meet specifications and that processes are statistically controlled.
Maintain compliance with national and international quality standards (e.g., ISO), customer requirements and company policies.
Own customer complaint & returns handling, rework operations and corrective/preventive actions.
Act as the company's official Quality Representative to legal/professional bodies and the management team for quality performance.
Ensure documented SOPs, audit readiness and timely closure of internal/external audit actions.
Process Engineering & Operations
Act as the site process expert: deeply understand plant/process detail, lead impact assessments of changes and drive process improvements.
Own process performance metrics (Yield, Materials Manufacturing Efficiency (MME), Right-First-Time / First-Run OK, batch cycle time, throughput, waste indices) and take corrective action on adverse trends.
Interface with R&D, Marketing, central engineering and off-site technical support on product recipes, new raw material approvals and industrialization of new products.
First point of contact for process aspects of Process Safety (Area Classification, SIL) and lead/coordinate hazard studies as required.
Ensure calibration reliability in collaboration with Engineering.
Continuous Improvement (CI)
Champion CI culture site-wide (Lean, ALPS, L6S), develop CI capabilities and lead the improvement portfolio to deliver measurable gains in Safety, OTIF, cost, MME, quality and inventories.
Apply problem-solving methodologies and statistical tools (L6S - Green Belt or higher expected) to lead and coach teams on improvement projects.
Scope and support capital and process improvement projects (initial scoping, business case, commissioning, training, and handover/ownership of technology).
People & Stakeholder Management
Lead, coach and develop the QC/QA and process engineering teams; promote continuous learning and engagement.
Effectively engage stakeholders across Production, Planning, Procurement, Supply Chain, R&D, HSE, Marketing and external authorities.
Ensure strong internal/external communication for knowledge transfer and timely feedback on supply chain improvement actions.
Key Activities
Monitor and report process and quality KPIs; perform root cause analyses and drive corrective/preventive plans.
Design and deliver focused improvement plans (operational and capital) to improve yield, RFT, MME and reduce waste.
Manage change using formal tools (MOC procedures) and ensure process/product changes are controlled.
Provide process troubleshooting support to operations and lead commissioning and training for new technologies/projects.
Develop and maintain SOPs, RFT procedures, QA documentation and quality management records.
Coordinate and host customer/supplier quality audits; identify and implement improvement opportunities.
Ensure continuous compliance with accreditation requirements and maintain action closure discipline.
Experience
Degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or equivalent.
Significant experience (preferably +5 years) in coatings or chemical manufacturing.
Proven track record in Quality Management, Process Engineering and Continuous Improvement.
Certified or experienced in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt minimum; Black Belt preferred) and CI deployment (ALPS desirable).
Strong knowledge of process safety principles and hazard study leadership.
Experience in customer & supplier audits, packaging approvals and regulatory interfaces.
About the Company
Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sus...
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