Pilot Line Coordinator

Basic Function

Manage the timely production of development samples to support product development efforts and initiatives by working closely with the staff of the Jackson production plant following the strategy and priority that the businesses have established for the organization's growth objectives.
Plan the scheduling of pilot lines for sample production, raw material testing or small productions, in a targeted manner and time. Ensure that production on pilot lines is in accordance with EHS guidelines for manufacturing, quality is consistent with JKO site standards and support regular and anticipated equipment maintenance.  Report productions in the ERP with PM requisitions and order closing, control KPIs and train the operators assigned for the operation of the specific pilot lines.  #LI-LL2

Roles & Responsibilities

• Follow Jackson production Site HSE policy and contribute to the site HSE goal.
• Participate in Jackson site general activity (e.g. HSE activities, OE audits, LPA audits, on-line required training, advising T9 technicians as needed, etc.)
• Work directly with the JKO scheduler to establish T9 production schedule including production and developmental samples to meet both innovation and customer timing demands.
• Monitor current inventory of materials and quantities to ensure that sufficient raw materials are available for sample production, and replenish inventory as needed.
• Assist Lansing Technical Center in obtaining needed commercial raw materials for development purposes by communicating with Lansing laboratory personnel, obtaining needed raws, writing them off of SAP and arranging shipment to Lansing.
• Review development recipes and their Inspection plan to make sure that correct recipes and test plans are in place for pilot requests. In case that there is a new raw materials in a sample request, ensure that the new material meets HSE and regulation standards for pilot production, and that it is ordered in due time with sufficient quantities for expected production requests.
• Maintain frequent communications with PAD teams and commercial teams to understand sample priorities and thereby ensure compliance with the "sample turnaround time" KPI.
• Provide support to the manufacturing team at the site to facilitate the process of scaling up from pilot line to production line.
• Work closely with production to address possible processing concerns including MFR, color and ash content adjustment if necessary or possible reshuffling of samples production schedule. 
• Work with Jackson QC lab closely to make sure that all testing is conducted per PAD request in due time.  For urgent samples, accelerated testing should be worked out with Plant QC Manager and PADs.
• Managing database system including SAP and PLM to make sure that data are updated and assist CSRs for sample releasing and shipping especially for exports outside USA.
• Resolve inconsistencies in the ERP system for the correct closing of orders.
• Assist PAD teams in addressing any concerns related to the quality of development sample productions.
• Create, update, and maintain pilot production procedures and/or documents. 
• Follow-up to the assigned Intelex investigations, related to the productions of the pilot lines.
• Coordinate corrective actions for the improvement of production processes in the pilot lines, and follow-up to corrective actions assigned for their closure.
• Coordinate set-up activities, cleaning, definition of process parameters, reporting of orders and KPIs together with the manufacturing personnel (e.g., process engineering, quality control, etc.) and the line operator assigned by manufacturing.
• Support IATF 16949 Audit as needed.
• Report equipment issues that need maintenance support and support preventive maintenance actions for pilot lines.
• Maintain and promote the 5S of the area assigned to the pilot lines
• Act as backup role for the pilot coordinator at EOO plant.
   

Min. Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, will consider candidates with an associate's degree and 5+ years professional qualifying experience in polymer compounds production or similar areas.

Work Experience: 

• Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience in a manufacturing or technical center environment, preferably with working knowledge of quality systems and procedures, plastics and analytical testing, converting and processing.

Languages:

• Fluent in English

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective communication across multiple levels cross functionally, with special emphasis in technical writing of standard, procedures, and work instructions.
• Strong numeric, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Strong data management and record keeping skills.
• Conversant in Microsoft office programs and general business applications.  SAP, Intelex, Documentum, Sphera and Ariba preferred.
   

Competencies