Quality Control Specialist

Objective:

The QC Technician/Specialist responsible for ensuring quality of concrete, in addition to driving/coordinating initiatives between production, sales and QC in order to minimize concrete quality claims, optimize product performance (KPI) and capture VAP opportunities. The individual must also ensure that products are in compliance with all industry specifications. This candidate will also assist in the implementation of best practices and techniques in regards to quality and mix optimization. The QC specialist’s role assists all levels of the operation in establishing and achieving quality objectives by participating in the Daily CFOM calls, QC & Sales meetings as required, review quotes and completing the PMM process.  

Responsibilities:

1. Health & Safety: Work in a safe and effective manner following the Lafarge Safety Program and applicable legislation. Be directly involved in risk analysis necessary for lab and field activities, development and application of improvement plans in relation to Health & Safety and ergonomics. Ensure that all personnel are working in a safe manner in accordance with policies and procedures.
2. Support to Operations / Sales: Manage processes to ensure compliance of all products with relevant Codes, Standards, and Specifications.  Monitor product properties at the plant and site to ensure a quality product. Education & training for QC Technicians, Plant & Operations personnel. Identify and recommend Appropriate Mix Designs and Proposal of VAP Alternatives in Support of Marketing/Sales Initiatives, and in compliance with relevant codes, standards and specifications.  This position includes a daily order review as well as weekly quote reviews. Provide input to ensure alignment between Sales and Operational staff to ensure product performance meets customer expectations.    
3. Technical Support: Implement Quality Control initiatives with the objective to increase quality, reduce claims, reduce raw material costs and help identify VAP opportunities. Maintain excellent relationships with Sales, Operations and Customer Support teams. Provide Customer support by visiting customer job sites for technical troubleshooting. Assist in administrative activities and ensure all documentation is updated in order to maintain our RMCAO Certification. Support the Sales, Production or Administrative teams when necessary (report preparation, special projects or other special requests). Participate in corrective/preventive action plans preparation and achievement to improve quality.  Review test results, QC KPIs and report to QC Manager if required.
4. Quality Control and Quality Assurance:  This role has a significant hands-on component. Handle independently all quality activities at a plant or on job site. Performs and documents quality control test in accordance with established local or national standards (CSA, ACI, ASTM) and within the precision standards established. Maintain a documentation of all testing conducted at the plant and on site.  Must interpret test results and recommend changes if needed.  Maintain communication with appropriate Lafarge batchers on measurements of air entrainment and slump in concrete obtained in the field and required dosage changes.  Direct testing at the jobsite for slump, air and making of concrete cylinders, in addition to lab testing such as compressive strength and aggregate sieve analysis.  Responsible for ongoing maintenance, calibration and documentation of testing equipment. Review the daily shipping schedule and draft the testing plan, and join daily calls. Assist in the development of new mix designs for lab trials as per guidance by the Quality Manager or Quality Supervisor. Able to adjust mixes independently using the Quadrel system. Conduct coaching and training sessions for the drivers, new hires and batchers. Assist in promoting and launching new and Value added products among internal and external customers. Assist in pre-pour meetings and in coordinating QC activities at the plants and on site.
5. Materials and Specifications:  Ensure quality materials through the active testing of raw materials.  Sample raw materials for validation at the lab and conduct mix adjustments (at the plant or in the field) using admixtures as required. Independently conduct materials moisture tests, and calibration of the moisture probes of the plant.  Review job specifications developing mix costs entered on the PMMs for sales to quote.  Create mix design submissions based off of either quotes from the sales group or from design specifications.  

Relationships with Others’ Jobs:

Reporting to the Quality Control Manager; the QC Specialist is to work in conjunction with the plant managers, operations team, QC supervisors, VAP manager and sales team, in an effort to aid in the production and delivery of a quality product that meets and or exceed the customer’s needs and report back to the Quality Manager. 

Specific Accountabilities:

• Safety – safety performance objective is “Zero”
• Product Performance
• Customer Service/Support
• Product Quality Control and Performance
• Troubleshooting
• Cost Management
• Quality Policies and Training 

Dimensions: 
Staff and hourly reports: 0
RMX Volume: 1 Ready Mix Laboratory, 9 Sites, 250.000 m3/YR
            

Qualification Profile:

Education and Work Experience:

• Post-secondary education in Civil technology, engineering, or equivalent. An associated diploma or degree preferred. Experience in the construction field is an important asset for this role.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant quality experience.

Knowledge & Skills:

• The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the construction materials (aggregates, asphalt and concrete) industry with solid understanding of the market, competition and business opportunities. 
• Excellent customer service skills – dedicated to meet the expectations of both internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of Mix Designs / Concrete Testing and segmentation of customers.
• Needs to be able to communicate with a large number of stakeholders and act collaboratively.  
• Must be able to communicate information in a timely fashion.
• Work Closely with both Sales, Operations and in interaction with customers
• Needs to act decisively and work independently.  
• Detail oriented is a must.
• Driven, proactive, high accountability, and self-motivated. 
• Good computer skills for Windows based software.
• Must be a strong team player and gain the trust and support of peers.
• Valid Driver License

Work Environment:

• Must be able to work in outdoor and indoor work environments in all weather.
• Availability for shift work is required.  Flexible hours may be required on occasion to meet the demands of our customers which will include overtime and weekend work.
• Able to perform a variety of tasks, including moderate to heavy lifting, bending, reaching, carrying.
• This role will require the handling of cements, aggregates, concrete and lab equipment.
• Driver License, minimum G2.

Job-Specific Competency Profile:                

• Business Acumen                
• Ethics and Values
• Action Oriented
• Conflict Management
• Organizing
• Planning
• Priority Setting
• Problem Solving