Quality Control Supervisor

Description:

PPG Architectural Coatings UK Limited is seeking a highly skilled Quality Control Supervisor to lead and manage the Quality Control department, ensuring all raw materials, intermediates, and finished products meet the company’s rigorous ISO 9001 quality standards. Located in Birstall, this role involves overseeing the testing and approval of batches with a weekly production volume of 1.7 million liters valued at £159 million annually.

You will supervise QC Technicians and Senior Technicians to ensure adherence to technical standards, timely reporting of findings, and prompt corrective actions for any non-conforming products. Your responsibilities include using integrated process control systems (Datastor), managing laboratory consumables procurement cost-effectively, and maintaining compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

Key to the role is maintaining process control, concession approvals, training and development of QC staff, and ensuring equipment calibration and health & safety assessments are up to date. You will also contribute to continuous improvement projects, manage HR functions within the department, and play a crucial role in introducing new lab equipment.

Principal Accountabilities

• Supervise QC staff to cover all factory hours, including weekends, efficiently and cost-effectively

• Ensure all raw materials, intermediates, and finished products are tested and conform to specifications

• Approve concessions for out-of-specification results and implement corrective actions

• Manage reporting and documentation for non-conformance and corrective measures

• Coordinate rework allocation and analyze progress to minimize rework stock

• Lead department’s “5 S” strategy to maintain a clean, safe working environment with monthly audits

• Facilitate training and development of QC staff and manage human resource issues including appraisals and disciplinary actions

• Recommend and oversee CAPEX for new lab equipment, and OPEX for lab consumables procurement

• Maintain lab equipment calibration schedules and oversee health & safety compliance, including BCP updates

• Utilize EMOK system programming and test/maintain effluent plant systems

• Introduce and manage ATP testing procedures within the QC department

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Minimum degree in Chemistry or related discipline

• Minimum 5 years of experience in paint or related industry, preferably with supervisory or management responsibilities

• Must attain BPI Accelerator status

• Normal color vision and aptitude for color evaluation

• Extensive knowledge of paint technology and manufacturing methods

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

• Willingness to work overtime to cover production needs

Additional Features

• Lead projects to improve testing methods

• Responsible for concession acceptance and issuance regarding finished products and raw materials

• Assist recruitment alongside QC Manager and HR

• Issue work permits for contractors and conduct risk assessments

• Advise on check weighing and serve as primary contact for product-related issues

About PPG

PPG is a global leader in innovation, sustainability, and color technology, serving industrial, transportation, consumer product, and construction markets. The company is committed to protecting and beautifying the world through leadership and continuous improvement.

PPG’s Values:

• Partnering with customers to create mutual value

• Operating as “One PPG” worldwide

• Trusting and empowering employees

• Driving ownership and continuous improvement