Easter Seals Jobs

Job Title: Quality Engineer

Chaska Location: Chaska, MN (134 Columbia Ct N, Chaska, MN 55318)

Department: Quality Assurance

Reports To: Quality Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

Company Overview:

At Apex International, we are proud to deliver high-quality OTC (Over-the-Counter), personal care, and household products. We partner with a wide range of customers, from global Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups, with a commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. We are looking for a skilled and proactive Quality Engineer to join our team at our Chaska, MN production facility. If you thrive in a Lean environment and are passionate about quality and problem-solving, we want you to be a part of our team.

Position Overview:

The Quality Engineer will contribute to Apex’s mission of providing the highest quality products by preventing and permanently solving quality problems, process deviations, and procedural errors. This role requires a combination of technical expertise, analytical skills, and a strong understanding of Lean principles to drive continuous improvement in product quality and manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Data-Driven Quality Management

   •Use data to prioritize and address product quality issues and process deviations.

   •Develop, implement, and oversee systems for gathering, analyzing, and reporting quality data to ensure efficient value stream delivery.

   •Work collaboratively with production teams to identify root causes of quality issues and implement permanent corrective actions.

   •Develop and track predictive metrics to aid in data-driven decision-making.

   •Investigate quality events, determine root causes, and manage corrective and preventive action reports (CAPA).

2. Training and Support

   •Provide training and support to operators based on quality investigations and improvement initiatives.

   •Assist with new product launches by ensuring product specifications are met and quality standards are upheld.

   •Support new product pilot runs, ensuring that quality goals are achieved during launch.

   •Act as the primary quality liaison during customer visits for new product launches.

   •Assist in the creation of setup sheets for new products to ensure correct equipment setup and consistent quality.

3. Process Documentation

   •Author and revise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions (WI) to ensure processes and equipment are accurately documented.

   •Use data from process improvements to update and refine SOPs and WI’s.

   •Create and document quality procedures for new processes and product lines.

4. Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement

   •Promote and implement lean principles within the quality department and across the production facility.

   •Use Lean tools (5S, Kaizen, etc.) to eliminate waste and drive process efficiency.

   •Instill a culture of continuous improvement and waste reduction within the department.

5. Additional Responsibilities

   •Conduct equipment inspections for cleanliness and wear.

   •Support equipment qualifications and supplier qualifications as needed.

   •Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements:

•Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing).

•Experience: 1-5 years of experience in quality assurance in a Lean manufacturing environment, preferably in the cosmetic, OTC, or pharmaceutical industry.

Skills:

oStrong understanding of Lean methodology, Kaizen, and Six Sigma principles.

oExperience with IQ, OQ, PQ, GMP, HACCP, and OTC standards.

oProficiency in root cause analysis and corrective actions (CAPA).

oStrong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to quality management.

oAbility to effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

oExperience in the development and maintenance of SOPs and work instructions.

Core Competencies:

•Customer Focus

•Constant Improvement

•Results Orientation

•Manufacturing Aptitude

•Detail-Oriented

Why Apex International?

At Apex International, we believe in the power of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. As a leader in contract manufacturing for personal and home care products, we’re committed to delivering top-quality products and exceptional service to our customers. Our dynamic, lean-focused culture is built around problem-solving employees who are dedicated to making a positive impact. We offer long-term career growth and stability as a privately held company with a strong financial foundation.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent

• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection

• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes

• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.