Specialist, Logistics Quality

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Job Description:The Logistics Quality Specialist (LQS) is responsible for leading Logistics Quality Assurance (LQA) throughout their assigned logistics-pipeline as part of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) Vehicle Operations network. The LQS operates in a fast-paced environment and on-site, at their assigned Port, to assure LQA standards throughout their pipeline’s Vessel, Port, Truck, and Rail Operations. The LQS is responsible for ensuring LQA standards are met by continuously analyzing, improving, and leading robust processes throughout their pipeline. The LQS ensures robust processes by the implementation and administration of Quality Assurance and LEAN techniques to achieve Quality KPIs and optimize throughput for the attainment of retail-sales objectives.

The position performs LQA audits and leads root-cause analysis through their pipeline to ensure robust countermeasures and 8D investigation. The LQS upholds all LQA programs to ensure that all related processes are compliant with LQA and industry standards (AIAG, AAR, etc.). The LQS compiles, analyzes, and monitors various quality and claims data to drive improvement and uses analytical and statistical methods, as part of LEAN techniques, to implement and validate effective and sustainable results throughout their logistics pipeline.

The LQS is responsible for maintaining strong business relationships with external vendors and internal teams while acting as the Voice-Of-Quality through their pipeline and working cross-functionally with local and corporate stakeholders in Port Operations, Transportation Management, LQA and other MNAO/non-MNAO teams to ensure that quality processes and standards are implemented and maintained.

Quality Management 30%

  • Interfaces with vehicle quality engineering, supplier quality assurance, accessory engineering, local Port Operations, local Port/Vessel/Truck/Rail vendors, and other departments to investigate and study quality concerns and manage corrective action and prevention process at local Port facility and in the local Transportation pipeline

  • Oversees, analyzes, and reports local and local Transportation pipeline’s Quality data & status (inspection data, claims data, warranty data, field data, etc.) to identify any trends. Implement quality improvement measures.Manages and audits Quality of stop ship/reworks repair process at the local Port. Develop containment and damage prevention plans at local Port with support from local Port Operations, LQA Management, Technical Services (TSD), MC, and any other associated department to ensure repair of all affected units.

  • Leads and manages local quality performance reports/reviews on local Port and local Transportation pipeline and work with vendors to implement and manage improvement projects and countermeasures. Present findings of improvement projects.

  • Leads local Port Operations and local Port/Vessel/Truck/Rail vendors in the implementation of LEAN concepts and engineering principles at the local Port and through local Transportation pipeline.

  • Leads/Manages Kaizen that relate to improving local Logistics Quality (both local Port Quality and Transportation Quality).

  • Leads Gemba Program at local port through review of installation, operations, processes, tools, equipment, and facilities for improvement and countermeasure.

  • Leads local Port quality communications and interact effectively with management and working level vehicle operations group and quality assurance

  • Leads as an advocate and support quality initiatives to meet U.S. customers’ needs

  • Manages and leads the local Port and local Port processor with applicable training to improve quality, LEAN initiatives, engineering principles and vehicle flow efficiency.

  • Leads, implements, and manages quality improvement strategies/activities with local Port Operations and local Port/Vessel/Truck/Rail vendors to achieve Mazda quality standards

  • Manages local Port and local Transportation pipeline’s FQIR process.

Quality Audits & Assurance 30%

  • Performs and manages the local Port’s and local Transportation pipeline’s audit process to record and report findings

  • Uses engineering methods to study, investigate, and effectively countermeasure quality concerns. 

  • Documents, reports and manages quality concerns found at local Port and local Transportation pipeline through countermeasure process to ensure effective resolution by completion target/KPI.

  • Analyzes and reports audit data to review with LQA Management, local Port Operations, and local Port/Vessel/Truck/Rail vendors.

  • Performs regular trend-analysis on audit data to develop effective countermeasures with processor and carriers.

  • Performs regular trend-analysis on audit data to develop effective improvement projects with processor and carriers.

  • Supports yearly Corporate audits and leads/manages 8D process with local Port Operations and local Port vendor.

  • Facilitates and leads problem solving investigation using root cause analysis for internal and external concerns, including 8D investigations, PCRs, FQIRs, countermeasures, and communication of any quality concerns. Ensures the plans for investigation, containment, and corrective actions maintain the established target completion times.

  • Issues reports, and/or communications to working level teams and management ensuring Mazda’s completed vehicle quality standards are maintained.

  • Issues FQIRS/PCRs and perform investigations on vehicles, accessory parts and or process related concerns which addresses concern and cause. Work with respective groups to implement both short-term and long-term solutions to prevent reoccurrence.

  • Issues Field Damage Reports (FDR) when necessary to communicate concerns, classify vehicle based on damages and coordinate investigations.  Work with respective group/s to determine cause and ensure preventive corrective actions are implemented.

  • Provides quality buy-off for all repairs to ensure Mazda quality standards are upheld

  • Supports time study analysis, from data gathering to process confirmations

Claims Management 20%

  • Approves Vessel Survey claims and ensure that processor only claims those repairs listed on the survey

  • Provides MDV classification to vehicles damaged at local Port and in local Transportation Pipeline

  • Analyzes and reports claims data to review for trends and use to implement effective countermeasures and initiate improvement projects with processor and carriers.

  • Notifies/reports to Corporate Parts Department of any accessory parts shortages, delivery discrepancies and or damages resulting from part, packaging/dunnage and/or transportation.  Oversee parts transportation claims from issuance to closure.  Ensure non-compliance parts are properly dispositioned.

Accessory Parts & Installation 15%

  • Analyzes accessories quality standards to assure conformance by inspecting and monitoring local Port contractors’ accessory installation quality for operational condition and appearance specifications according to Mazda’s SOP’s

  • Ensures compliance to Mazda quality standards and best practices which will lead to increased safety, efficiency, quality and cost reduction benefits

  • Works with accessory engineering, vehicle operations, parts supply chain and supplier quality groups to investigate suspect accessory part concerns. Issues potential countermeasure request and corrective implementation confirmation

  • Manages accessory parts availability to meet daily production needs.

  • Enters information regarding parts received and shipped into Mazda’s parts system to maintain inventory compliance. 

  • Works with contractor on ordering required parts/ accessories, processes parts shipments and resolves issues or problems related to parts and accessories.

Port Manager Support 5%

  • Supports all local Port Manager functions when local Port manager is out or if assistance is required.

Qualifications and Other Requirements:

Education (Minimum): 

  • BS in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics or Engineering related field preferred and / or combination equivalent work experience. 

Experience: 3 or more years

  • Experience with utilizing quality tools and techniques for process improvement is required

  • Experience in quality control techniques and statistical analysis is required

  • Experience in development and oversight of Quality Systems desired including knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices, such as 8D methodology and use of quality tools (DMAIC process problem solving, including PDCA, 8D methodology, 6M, 5 why’s) is preferred

  • Transportation background in Maritime/Port Operations, Rail yard, or Truck yard is highly desired

  • Automotive background is highly desired

Training/Certification:

  • Role requires obtainment of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Incumbents are required to successfully complete thorough background investigation conducted by the TSA sponsored by Mazda.

  • LEAN Processing/Manufacturing Training- CSSGB/BB (preferred)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

  • Knowledge of automotive functions and technology; quality control techniques are required

  • Ability to operate motor vehicles with both manual and automatic transmissions is required

  • Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete tasks in accordance with established standards and deadlines, including resource management, influencing and negotiation skills

  • Ability to communicate effectively with management, Port contractors, Mazda departments/markets, and other public and private representatives to produce quality and timely deliverables, including leading meetings and/or present reports.

  • Ability to provide leadership with strong written and oral communication skills

  • Strong analytical problem solving and troubleshooting skills by use of logic, data and reason

  • Advanced skill in MS Excel is required

  • MS PowerPoint proficiency is required

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Suite applications is preferred

  • Moderate skills with Business Intelligence software. Power BI/Oracle preferred 

  • Moderate skills with QMS Database and NHTSA requirements preferred

  • Ability to act and work independently with minimum level of management supervision is required

Pay Range:

$66,400.00-$96,250.00

Salary to be determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Learn more about MNAO’s comprehensive benefits package here

Organisation: 
Mazda USA