ASQ St. Louis News & Announcements



March 2010 Membership Meeting

Join us at Dave and Buster’s in Earth City for the March 2010 Membership Meeting 

When: Tuesday, March 16, 2009

Where: Dave & Buster’s, 13857 Riverport Dr., St. Louis, MO 63043

Program: 

5:30 PM           Registration Opens

6:00 PM           Networking and Games (Complimentary Gift Card Included)

6:30 PM           Dinner

7:00 PM           After Dinner Program: 

                             Section Elections, Awards, Scholarships

                             Recognition of New ASQ Certifications in 2009

Invite your friends and co-workers to join us.  Meet new friends and see old friends! 

Please register by Friday, March 12, by visiting the online registration page. ASQ St. Louis members who register and prepay online for membership meetings are entitled to a $5 discount, which brings the meeting fee down to $25.

You can also send an email to registration@asqstlouis.org

Come enjoy a wonderful dinner and a great social event!

Directions to Dave and Buster’s in Earth City

Quality Assurance Director Position at PSI/EYE-KO, Inc.

PSI/EYE-KO, Inc. is a manufacturer of ophthalmic medical devices is looking for a Director of Quality Assurance.  This is a full time salaried position.

We require experience and familiarity with:  ISO 13845; CE registration; CAPA; and GMP.

You will be responsible for compliance with ISO 13485, CE registration, CAPA, and FDA regulations and coordination with all regulatory authorities including FDA, Health Canada, and the EU.

Daily activities include the above and responsibility for maintenance of technical files and regulatory records; SOP’s and SOP training; and internal audits.

This is a hands on position responsible for all aspects of quality assurance and quality control working with the Plant Manager, 25 employees, and reporting to the President of the Company.

We are a small closely held company, in business for over 25 years, located in our own facility in O’Fallon, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis.  For more information visit our web site at www.eye-ko.com.

Please forward your resume, salary history and requirements to employment@eye-ko.com.

LC Meeting Minute 01-12-2010

January 2010  LC Meeting Agenda

Syberg’s at WestPort

 

1. Open 6:00 pm

2. Approve Minutes - Kim 2 minutes

3. Treasurer’s Report and Approve -Resa 4 minutes

4. Additional Financial Updates - Resa 4 minutes

5. General Business - John 20 minutes

a)   Introduction and Approval of LC Officer Slate for 2010-11 

  • Chair - John O’Reilly
  • Chair Elect - Kim Rochetti
  • Treasurer - Randy Thompson
  • Secretary - Denise Arthur

b)   Names for Awards and Recognition to SEM                                                                                         

  • Kauffman Award for Service to ASQ
  • Vezeau Award For Technical Achievement
  • Dr. Robert Deufel Extra Measure Award for Service to STL Section
  • Volunteer Excellence Award

c)   Rod Toro Expense Request Approval

d)   SMP Update

e)   Refresher Class Status

Order Dinner                                                                           5 minutes (~6:30)

6. Education (Workshop Update) - Denise 10 minutes

  • Other Workshop Dates?
  • Refresher Classes

7. Programs - John 15 minutes

  • Jan - Favazza’s - Volunteers for Registration
  • Feb - Ed Valorrini and Missouri Enterprise
  • Mar - Awards, Elections, Scholarship, and Certification Recognition
  • April -Tom Crespi and Chris Anderson
  • May - Engineer’s Club
  • June - Joint Meeting (ASQ to Sponsor)
    • Sheraton Westport Chalet
    • Discussion of Alternate Venues of Venues We Want This Spring

Dinner                                                                                            30 minutes (~7:00)

8.  Membership Activity Summary - Kunita 7 minutes

  • Membership count
  • Those Earning 2008 ASQ Certifications to
  • Attend the March Meeting at No Charge
  • Other Membership and Meeting Attendance Initiatives

9.   Around the Table                                                                  5 minutes

10.  Adjourn                                                                                    8:00

Career Development Workshops - March 6, 2010

Have you been thinking about career development?

 Please join Kim and Cindy to discuss Career Development opportunities.  Learn your strengths, alternative careers based on your strengths, how to take charge of your career, understanding your work values and how they drive decisions, how to best develop and hone your skills to best meet business goals and objectives, and tools for shaping your career and work/life balance. 

 The four hour session at Saint Charles Community College Community College, Administration Building, room ADM1417 (building 9 on the attached map).  The workshop starts at 8:30am on March 6th, 2010.  Register at: https://www.123signup.com/register?id=mxyhv

This class will be interactive with many activities to assess skills, identify strengths, and determine career options, and develop your career plans and strategies. 

The class is offered for ASQ members $99, ASQ members between jobs or for full-time students $59 or $199 for nonmembers. 

Instructors :
Cindy Brendel has been a training consultant and Master Trainer for such organizations as Edward Jones, LMI Aerospace Inc., and Ingersoll Rand for over 20 years.  She has consulted widely on needs assessment, program design, program development, and program delivery.  She has a Master’s in Human Resource Development and a Master’s in Management and Leadership.  Her area of expertise includes strategic management, change management, team leadership, coaching and counseling, facilitation and presentation skills, and communication for leaders.  Her global experience encompasses working with leaders in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and China.  She is currently the President for the American Society of Training and Development St. Louis Metropolitan Chapter. 

Kim Rochetti is a respected and accomplished Performance Excellence Leader with extensive Six Sigma, Lean, and Change Management expertise in manufacturing, healthcare, and office environments.  Known as an effective and credible leader able to build and motivate high performance teams that deliver optimal results. A Master Black Belt and certified ASQ Black Belt recognized for skill and ability to achieve bottom line results. 

She worked at Boeing Aerospace for 22 years in engineering and quality areas in both the technical and management arenas.  Kim transitioned her Lean Six Sigma skills to healthcare and help two systems deploy LSS to help streamline process and improve patient care.  She was hired in to Ingersoll Rand to transform the office environment processes to world class using LSS and change management tools.   She has given 1500 hours of training, completed countless projects, and mentored over a hundred people at every level of the company to provide LSS expertise and achieve bottom-line results.   Kim is passionate about LSS and has 10+ years experience deploying this initiative at four businesses.    She has learned the critical success factors for optimum results. 

She is currently the Secretary for ASQ - St. Louis Section and Chair-elect for the 2010-2011 term.

Attached Map

 

February 2010 Membership Meeting

Join us at Sunset 44 Bistro and Banquet Center in Kirkwood, MO for the February 2010 Membership Meeting

When: Tuesday, February 16, 2009

Where: Sunset 44 Bistro and Banquet, 118 W. Adams, Kirkwood, MO 63122

Program: 

5:30 PM           Registration Begins

6:00 PM           Managing Your “Bucket of Squirms”,  Ed Vallorani, Avanti Improvement Solutions

7:00 PM           Dinner

8:00 PM           Lean for the Office,  Jim Devereux, Missouri Enterprise

Invite your friends and co-workers to join us.  It’s a great networking opportunity!

Please register by Friday, February 12, by visiting the online registration pageASQ St. Louis members who register and prepay online for membership meetings are entitled to a $5 discount, which brings the meeting fee down to $25.

You can also send an email to registration@asqstlouis.org

Come enjoy a wonderful dinner, listen to excellent speakers, and a great social event!

Directions to Sunset 44 Bistro and Banquet Center

LC Meeting Minute 11-10-2009

Section 1304

Minutes of 11-10-09 ASQ Leadership Committee Meeting

At Rizzo’s in St. Louis, MO

Prepared 11-10-09 by Kim Rochetti

Participants:      Steve Mundwiller, John O’Reilly, Kunita Gear, Tony Indihar, Chris Anderson, Mary Ellen Rowland, Randy Thompson, Linh Dye, Eric Schellenberg, Jim Ebone, Denise Arthur, and Kim Rochetti.

1)  Meeting called to order at 6:06 PM by Steve Mundwiller. 

2)  October 09 Minutes Approved as Prepared - It was moved, seconded, and approved to accept the minutes as prepared.

3)  Financial and Treasurer’s Report by Resa. -   Our total value is $81,077.52, checking is 16,113.59, and CD is 65,163.97.  Do we want to transfer some of our money from checking to the CD?   A no-risk CD gives 2% interest for a 2-year CD.  We have not been unable to contact Bev Senegog.  Another option is an opt-up CD for 1.45%.  A motion and second was given to take $10,000 out of checking and move into a 2-yr 2%CD, and approved.

4)  Workshops/ASQ courses - SEM -  Both workshops in October cancelled due to low attendance.  A) Email blasts may need to happen to promote the ASQ courses and workshop more. B) Website details can be added to promote as well C) Elevate the status  D) Move certification classes from SLCC to  another location for flexibility.  We can offer Saturdays or something different.  We can use Bizmanual’s training room on any evening or weekend for a small fee.  County libraries have free meeting rooms for free and restaurants and hotels have large rooms available if we order food or pay a small fee.  We need to promote the increased passed rate for people that take the classes, the flexibility, the trainer’s experience, and a second test at reduced rate.  

5)  Nov/Dec Meeting - by John and Jim - Jim will emcee the trivia game meeting.  Please send quality-related questions and answers to Jim for the event so members can earn RUs. 

6)  2010/2011 decision on officers  -  Chair elect, treasurer, and secretary are open.  There are a few members that Steve M. would like to pursue and elections will be in March.  At January meeting, candidates will be announced.  Directions will be sent in an email and be of good ASQ member standing to get on the ballot 60 days prior to the elections.  

7)  Jim as Section Auditor -  They talked about Jim doing the auditor role.

8)  New LC members - Let us know if you plan on not continuing your leadership roles or know of someone who wants to participate in the LC, let Steve and John know.

9)  2010 Programs -

January:  Dr. Ed Weisbart on PowerPoint presentation optimization and Behavior Economics, Express Scripts

February:  Ed Vallorani, Avanti Improvement Solutions: Managing your Bucket of Squirms; Jim Devereux, Missouri Enterprise, “Lean for the Office”

March:  Awards, certifications, recognition, and electionsnight at Dave and Busters; 

April: Tom Crespi, Graybar Electric, the Formula for Survey Success; Chris Anderson, “Value Stream Marketing”.

May: speaker from ASQ.org that are coming into the conference, at Engineer’s club,

June: APICs joint meeting at Sheraton Westport Chalet.  Possibly invite David Spong, retired-Boeing Support Systems, President, who will be here for the board meetings.

Send award candidates to Steve M. for March meeting.

 

10)  WCQI by Chris - There are 71 volunteers identified vs. the need of 90.  Doing advanced planning work now until first quarter and will get more detailed.  Chris is on schedule; more to follow.

11) Exams by Eric: Know of a few people passed exams so far; 23 signed up, 19 took the exam.  Mary Ellen and Eric are serving as a shared certification role.  They are cross-training now.

Steve Hyland had resigned from the LC for medical reasons.  He will try to continue at a later date. 

12) Around the Table

John - Hope all continue on LC; Resa will be at registration at next meeting and needs help; Eric and Mary Ellen can help,

Eric - Had their book audit for ISO certification at work: heard that companies doing Lean are not including Quality as part of their initiative. 

Jim - have received many quality engineer resumes for a QE position at his place of work.  is it ok to invite them to our meetings?  The LC says it’s ok to offer our meetings.

Linh - website: who will pay the fees for the support, need support to improve the content; need some marketing items for next meeting, didn’t pay for the last meeting and system charged: are we checking who is really paying. Contact Shalish to help resolve.

Resa - storage of records will be done at Intercon; refunds for workshops need to be given to those that didn’t attend, attendance prizes: gift bags and find miscellaneous gifts

Kim - none

Kunita - don’t have expenses ready, we had 17 new members for Oct., trip to Colorado was good and worthwhile and a possible topic for one of our members. 

Tony - none

Mary Ellen - none

Randy - Member attendance is going well, Satisfaction is good, for section members we have 970 vs. a goal of 830 paid members, renewel/retention is high, workshops will be made up in 2010, we’ve added sr. members 4. 

Chris - speaking at Lean Six Sigma conference

Denise - none

 13) Meeting adjourned at 8:21.

Corporate Statistical Process Control Coordinator at WLF

Reports to: Directly - Director of Information Technology
Indirectly - Vice President of Technical Services
General Category: Full-time employee for Food Industry position
Working Environment:

• Office Work - Typical office in a controlled environment.

• Plant Floor - Exposure to cold temperatures, wet and/or humid conditions, moderate noise levels, and to other general physical hazards of working on or around machinery in a food processing facility.

 The candidate selected by WLF initially will establish and direct a Statistical Process Control Program requiring selection of a COTS SPC software package followed by the design, implementation, training, coordinating and effective maintenance of this program in a continuous improvement environment.

Later growth opportunities will result after accomplishment of the SPC program success and continuous improvement of the QA applications.

A. WLF “Must Haves” for this position
1. Five or more years experience in a food industry or similar operation.
2. BS or BA degree from educational program having a curriculum with strong quantitative emphasis.
3. Certification by a recognized professional organization (e.g., ASQ’s certification program for engineers [CQE], six sigma black belts [CSSBB] or software quality engineers [CSQE]).
4. Quality Assurance expertise with strength in Information Technology applications, especially COTS SPC software; and knowledge of database software, Internet software, Project Management software, spreadsheet software and word processing software.
5. Experience in implementing a statistical QA program from planning, software selection, designing, training, implementation and maintenance in a continuous improvement environment; including communicating effectively orally, in writing reports, in business correspondence, with procedures, and in training manuals; with an emphasis on describing complex systems in non-technical terms.
6. Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, vendors and customers.
7. Experience in analyzing data produced from QA activities resulting in management-level reports and presentations with recommendations for improvement; scheduling and tracking ideas selected by management; and reporting on actions taken and results.
8. Expertise in leading a team-based problem solving program for plant-level employees including focus on team functioning and problem-solving tools, also including basic math, algebraic computations, statistics, regression analysis, and statistical process control methodologies.
9. Capability in providing plant-level displays and reports of quality achievement, showing departments “how well they are doing.”
10. Proven leadership of organization-wide, quality improvement applications including interface with top management and all other levels including hands-on employees; customers; and vendors.

B. Other Qualification “Strong Points” - for review to enhance the applicant’s potential offering to WLF
1. Candidates possessing in-depth working and administrative knowledge of one of the following Statistical Process Control software packages (other than Excel) will be given preference.

  • Hertzler (GainSeeker)
  • Zontec (Synergy)
  • InfinityQS (Proficient w/DAS, eSPC)
  • DataNet (WinSPC, QualTrend)
  • Northwest Analytical (Quality Analyst/Monitor, NWA SPCx/QAx)

 2. Possess an in-depth understanding of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements for the food industry.
3. Have a basic understanding of budgeting and the budgeting process at the company level, with strong business acumen.
4. Be able to formulate and maintain quality program objectives complementary to corporate policies and goals.
5. Know the basics of Lean Six Sigma and is able to bring these concepts to the training of problem-solving teams
6. Know how to apply the analysis of variance techniques for improvement applications.
7. Have experience with flow charting processes including Value Stream Mapping and Analysis.
8. Participate with customer complaint activities in support of customer satisfaction.
9. Formulate and recommend WLF policies, strategies, tactics and goals related to quality.

If you are interested and meet the above criteria, please contact:

Ms. Jaime Parizek, HR
Jaime.Parizek@wlfoods.com

January Membership Meeting

Join us at Favazza’s Restaurant, 5201 Southwest Ave. St. Louis, MO for the January 2010 Membership Meeting

When: Tuesday, January 19th, 2009

Where: Favazza’s Restaurant, 5201 Southwest Ave. St. Louis, MO

Program: 

5:30 PM           Registration Begin

6:00 PM           Applying New Insights from the Emerging Science of Behavioral Economics - Dr. Edmond Weisbart, Chief Medical Officer of Medical Affairs at Express Scripts

7:00 PM           Dinner

8:00 PM           PowerPoint Tips and Tricks with API

Invite your friends and co-workers to join us.  It’s a great networking opportunity!

Please register by Friday, January 15, by visiting the online registration page. ASQ St. Louis members who register and prepay online for membership meetings are entitled to a $5 discount, which brings the meeting fee down to $25.

You can also send an email to registration@asqstlouis.org

Come enjoy a wonderful dinner, listen to excellent speakers, and a great social event!

Directions to Favazza’s Restaurant

Senior Quality Technician Position at Weir Minerals Lewis Pumps

Weir Minerals Lewis Pumps is a medium sized manufacturing company of approximately 100 employees located in Crestwood, MO, that has been in the business of supplying pumps and valves to the worldwide fertilizer market for more than 100 years.

We are currently seeking a SENIOR QUALITY TECHNICIAN to report to the Quality Assurance Manager.

Essential Job Functions

  • Utilize continuous improvement principles and techniques to assure product quality.
  • Prepare customer reports, data analysis and customer required documentation.
  • Support and maintain Quality Planning.
  • Perform Quality Management systems and Special Process audits including reporting follow-up and closure of audit reports and non-conformances.
  • Utilize FMEA, PPAP, poke-yoke, six sigma, SPC and other related tools to drive quality improvements.
  • Maintain all procedures and work instructions as it relates to manufacturing operations and plant quality. Maintain quality standards and protocol for assembling and/or finished product.
  • Work with customers and/or supplier partners on non-conformance reports and customer/supplier corrective action plans.
  • Conduct customer and/or supplier visits as required.
  • Conduct root cause analysis and corrective action plans (CAPA).
  • Act as a member of the MRB team - responsible for disposition of non-conforming material.
  • Conduct & review First Articles, Product ID & Traceability, Visual Aides and Quality Plans for all products for both internal & external suppliers.
  • Manage all aspects of Metrology to include document control, calibration records, procedures & audits, gage calibrations and certifications, as well as layout measurements prior to gage acquisition. Document all gage calibration, inspection and repair services.
  • Develop procedures and work instructions for gauging and inspection operations including GR&R studies.
  • Assist/support inspection and measurement for 1st piece set-up for manufacturing operations.
  • Perform polish /acid etch, UT (metal), dye penetration and microstructure analysis testing.
  • Provide training on topics such as Blueprint reading, Metrology, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing.
  • Monitor and Maintain Vendor Management Inventory (VMI).
  • Support Engineering Change Order, Manufacturing and Production.
  • Interpret Drawings, Non-conformances, Design changes for production & customer impacts.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education: Requires a minimum of a 2 year college degree in a technical discipline.

Experience: Requires a minimum of five years or relevant Quality Assurance experience to gain sufficient knowledge to perform the requirements of the position.

Skills and Abilities which may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position:

  • Ability to effectively communicate and present information to team members, management, suppliers, and customers.
  • Knowledge in the use of continuous improvement principles and techniques as applied to manufacturing functions.
  • Good Leadership & Facilitation Skills
  • Ability to communicate key product characteristics, then apply quality assurance methodology to control key process parameters (PPAP, Six Sigma, SPC, gage R&R, FMEA, and Poke -Yoke…)
  • Knowledge of ISO 9001/14001

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids: Computer, MSWord, MSExcel, MSPower Point, MSProject, Acess, Visio, Mintab, SPC-XL

Please submit resume to apply@lewispumps.com

Global Quality Management System Lead Position at Monsanto

 Global Quality Management System Lead

The Global Quality Management System Lead is responsible for providing global Seed Supply quality management (ISO 9001:2008), serving as the Seed Manufacturing liaison for North American Regulatory/Compliance activities, along with global Seed manufacturing leadership for Stewardship and Biotechnology Initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to develop quality standards on a global basis by developing quality management biological systems.

Monsanto is an agricultural company. We apply innovation and technology to help farmers around the world produce more while conserving more. We help farmers grow yield sustainably so they can be successful, produce healthier foods, better animal feeds and more fiber, while also reducing agriculture’s impact on our environment.

Responsibilities include:

Overseeing implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS) at all global seed production operations, quality labs, and production research programs

Responsible for ensuring that the QMS is compliant to the standard and for capturing maximum business value through system maintenance, monitoring, and improvement.

Work closely with the various Seed Supply Management groups in ensuring processes, procedures, and systems are in place to ensure quality management effectiveness, operational consistency, and identification of process improvement opportunities.

ISO certification for Seed Supply through system auditing, maintaining relationships with external registrars and quality networks, analyzing system effectiveness regionally, and ensuring clear management support and direction for the sites.

Manages the corporate QMS by participation in row crop and vegetable seed management reviews, and support as needed for documentation management, managing corrective and preventative actions, and implementation of continuous improvement opportunities.

Audit sites globally to ensure ongoing compliance and implementation of best practices across all facilities. 

Required Skills/Experience:

MBA or similar degree

Minimum 3 years experience in managing ISO9001 standards or other quality management systems

Minimum of 7 years operational or process experience (i.e. manufacturing process, QMS, supply chain, logistics)

Organizational leadership experience spanning across multiple sites

Excellent communication (written and oral), interpersonal, organizational and negotiation skills

Demonstrable experience leveraging external and internal relationships and networks

Strong results orientation or self motivation.

Desired:

  • Six Sigma Black Belt certification
  • Undergraduate in agronomy, sciences, engineering, similar
  • Previous work experience in a global environment
  • Significant Project Mgt experience
  • Experience with cross-functional and diverse workgroups
  • Ag industry experience
  • Active in National and Local ASQ

If interested, please click here and apply to requisition #0012B