Commonwealth Rolled Products is a leading manufacturer of Aluminum rolled products for the Automotive, Commercial, and Industrial markets. The Company operates its production facility in Lewisport, KY with the support of an Automotive Innovation Center for R&D, Sales and Field Service in Madison Heights (DET), and Inside Sales in the Cleveland, OH area.
Our Innovation Center is seeking to add a Laboratory Supervisor to our team. The purpose of this role is to maintain our laboratory at the Innovation Center while also providing physical, mechanical, and chemical testing expertise, support and leadership. This position will develop new processes and products and drive the improvement of fabrication practices.
Responsibilities Include:
- Actively participate in maintaining a zero-incident safety culture.
- Live and champion the Commonwealth Rolled Products core values: Safety, Integrity, Customer Focus, Ownership, Excellence, and Teamwork.
- Lead lab safety policies and procedures for the Innovation Center Laboratory.
- Supervise daily operations for the laboratory.
- Lead innovation automotive application projects and support implementation of successful manufacturing practice for production of key specialty products.
- Work as an active team member supporting core R&D/applications engineering projects.
- Maintain understanding of current industry standards for which we provide certifications or special testing for required lab quality certifications.
- Develop and maintain relationships with outside technical bodies, consultants, colleagues outside of Commonwealth Rolled Products, and universities to understand current developments in laboratory testing and analysis
- Develop and maintain work instructions for Innovation Center laboratory.
- Develop the capabilities of your direct report(s) through effective task assignments, coaching, and reviews.
- Support 8D problem solving projects as required by Field Engineering.
- Develop and maintain a high degree of understanding of aluminum end user products and markets.
- Develop, test and improve aluminum alloys; partner with end-use customers to develop new product applications.
- Review product performance and propose corrective actions that arise.
- Interface with application and field engineers to make sure needed practices are implemented.
Metallography:
- Sample preparation and polishing
- Prepare etching chemicals according prescribed recipe
- Etch surfaces to highlight grain structure
- Digital imaging of material structure and defects
- Consult scientific literature to determine possible new working method
Physical testing:
- Advise on choice of which test to execute
- Sample preparation on CNC machines
- Physical measuring of samples
- Programming and simulate annealing curves for lab furnaces and oil baths
Archiving and Administration
- Managing files and sample archive and guarantee traceability in case of projects, claims, and customer questions
- Classify samples and demonstrator parts in a structured way
- Organize sampling and prepare samples for shipping to customers or third parties
- Evaluate and report test results
- Leverage company data systems in order to track production data for analysis
Required Qualifications:
- Four-year degree in metallurgy/material science engineering.
- A minimum of 3 years of experience in a laboratory environment.
- Ability to lead R&D/Applications Engineering Projects.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills needed.
- Microsoft Office proficiency.
- Ability to recognize and link multiple tasks and systems for analysis and diagnosis to anticipate and resolve problems or recommend improvements within area of discretion.
- Ability to lead and develop team members and co-workers through effective coaching, training and feedback.
- Ability to use theoretical knowledge of fundamental engineering and math principles and other data analysis tools to solve problems encountered in product quality and plant and customer processes.
- Must have a profound knowledge of material characteristics, destructive and non-destructive test methods and measuring techniques.
- Must have knowledge of specific customer requirements for running research projects.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Background in aluminum manufacturing Statistical Process Control (SPC), statistical analysis and continuous improvement principles.
- Automotive OEM materials engineering experience.
EEO Statement:
Commonwealth Rolled Products is an equal opportunity employer and supports diversity in the workplace. Qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Our HR team will reach out to the applicants who met the qualifications and most closely aligned with requirements of the positions.
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
