SUMMARY: Utilizing independent judgement this position provides technical support to Production and the Sales Department for all phases of steel operations, oversees and manages the metallurgist, quality engineer and lab. Provides metallurgical support to management personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES: To perform job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilities required. In addition to the essential duties listed, other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by management. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Operations:

• Provides technical support for all phases of steel operations
• Researches and recommends new technology, processes and practices to meet or exceed customer requirements
• Leads and /or assigns projects for productivity improvement, cost reduction and or quality improvement
• Oversees the Investigations of operational and productivity deficiencies including NCM’s, identifying root cause(s) and presenting corrective action(s)
• Oversees and/or performs failure investigation on customer return/claims
• Oversees and/or audits processing records to confirm Operations follows procedures and good metallurgical practices

Quality:

• Has authority to disposition NCMs
• Maintains, drafts and oversees new procedures for production operations, quality documentations and quality system management
• Oversees and Provides quality training and verifies comprehension of training as deemed necessary for employees

Management:

• Oversees the performance of Metallurgist and Quality Engineer
• Supports the company philosophy concerning unions and work to maintain a union free environment
• Performs duties of direct reports as deemed needed
• Identifies and execute productivity improvements, cost reductions and/or quality improvements
• Assists with identifying, and implementation of equipment for continued success and future growth

Scope of Job:

Assist in implementing new mill practices.  Audit existing practices from which all quality control functions are implemented.  Relate to sales personnel, manufacturing personnel, and outside inspectors and vendors to acquire pertinent knowledge whereby standard practices may be written and processes upgraded.

 Main Tasks:

• Conduct quality audits once a month at required mill operations. Develop processes to reduce costs while maintaining or improving product quality.
• Provide a knowledgeable outlet to production and manufacturing personnel regarding customer requirements to assure a quality product is produced at minimum cost. Report discrepancies in procedures or practices to the Quality Manager, who thereby investigates problems and implements solutions.
• Assist in directing production personnel in obtaining proper samples for lab testing. Analyse the results of such tests conducted in the Strand Lab and Physical Lab.
• Write SMR’s to minimize manufacturing delays and keep shifts informed of coil status. Establish coil defect history. Obtain all necessary supporting documentation including level 2 data, in-process data, final product data, gauge charts, coil history, etc. for process Engineers and Quality Manager.
• Monitor all lab solutions with lab technicians to ensure compliance.
• Provide pertinent information to operators and helpers as to the standard product quality requirements to achieve quality requirements and maintain a quality-educated workforce.
• Advise lab technicians and various hourly employees on various quality issues that need to be addressed. Fills in for lab technicians when needed.  Assist other internal customers with quality related problems/solutions as required.
• Advise personnel that any products or processes not conforming to requirements will be communicated immediately to the Quality Manager.
• Has the authority to stop production to correct quality issues.

The Senior Research Metallurgist provides technical expertise in broad areas of materials and processes in support of all areas of the company.  He/she initiates and conducts new material, process, and product development; works directly with customers and potential customers to resolve technical problems; and assumes leadership of R&D during the absence of the R&D Manager.

Essential Functions

• Become a technical expert and thought leader
  • Initiate and conduct new product development, especially in the areas of new alloy formulation, materials processing, and innovative use of all company’s expertise and capabilities
  • Maintain working knowledge of technological developments in both new and existing markets, and keep upper management aware of potential impact of these changes
  • Support new product development activities of others within the company
• Provide support within our company and to our customers
  • Provide metallurgical support to resolve day-to-day manufacturing problems with emphasis on deformation processing of materials
  • Provide technical support and training to the Sales and Marketing departments
  • Work directly with current and prospective customers to select appropriate products, or develop novel solutions if needed

Additional Responsibilities

• Form relationships with customer, industry, and academic thought leaders
• Produce high-quality, high-impact technical communications
  • Prepare well written, professional reports, whitepapers, and publication-quality manuscripts
  • Document new test methods to support improved product quality/ reliability
  • Produce detailed failure analyses for the Company, current, and prospective customers
• Track and report on the status of developmental and support projects
• Perform critical economic analysis of the value of new technologies and equipment
• Benchmark competitive products and technologies
• Supervise activities of member(s) of the R&D Technician Team