8 Operation

• Operational Planning and Control

• Requirements for Products and Services

• Design and Development of Products and Services

• Control of Externally Provided Processes, Products and Services

• Production and Service Provision

• Release of Products and Services

• Control of Nonconforming Outputs

Operational Planning and Control

Identification of Product Requirements

Jemison Metals reviews customer requirements during award review to make sure that all end use requirements are met.  Some of the following areas are examined based upon specific product requirements:

Ø  Delivery/post delivery activities (as appropriate)

Ø  Legal, safety, environmental, and regulatory issues

Ø  Customer requirements, including applicable national/international standards

Ø  Packaging and labeling requirements

Review of Product Requirements

Jemison Metals conducts a complete review of each new product requirement, including pertinent documents and quality objectives, during contract review.  Some of the following areas are examined based upon specific product requirements:

Product Changes

Ø  Feasibility and capability to meet requirements prior to quotation.

Order Processing

Ø  Special characteristics and/or other requirements are defined.

Ø  Any ambiguous product requirements are resolved.

Jemison Metals recognizes the need for continual improvement to provide reliable and accurate information to control order processing.  We strive to identify and specify such technology during quality planning.

Records

Customer purchase requests and other pertinent product documentation are retained as Quality Records. Verbal orders are identified in Computerized Sales Orders.

Customer Communication

Jemison Metals understands that communication with its customers is a critical element in understanding and meeting customer requirements and specifications, including product information. This is accomplished through customer feedback (including complaints) and personal contact.

Where product requirements are changed, JM ensures that relevant documents are amended and appropriate personnel are informed.

Applicable Quality Management Procedures and Documents:

Ø   QMP 7.5  Documented Information

Ø    QMP 8.1   Award Review

Ø   COP 1      Sales, Quotation, Contract Review

Ø   COP 2      Production

Customer Complaints

A critical element in JM customer interface relationship is timely response and timely resolution to customer reported complaints.  The Quality Management System is intended to provide our customers with a tool for measuring our effectiveness in meeting their requirements.

Our focus is on the resolution of each problem by initiating a “case”, and as determined by the Head of Quality, a potential formal corrective action.  Corrective Actions identify actions and time frames for immediate short-term solutions and long-term solutions, and end with audit verification and validation that ensures a permanent corrective action.  A Customer Complaint Report is the initial document that provides uniform reporting. Customer information is retained in information systems software.

Applicable Quality Management Procedures and Documents:

Ø   QMP 7.5    Documented Information

Ø   QMP 9.2    Internal Auditing

Ø   QMP 8.7    Control of Nonconforming Outputs

Ø   QMP 10.2  Nonconformity and Corrective Action

Design and/or Development

Jemison Metals does not design product.  We take existing customer requirements, through blueprints and/or contracts, and procure the materials, if not supplied by customer, to produce those requirements. Customer supplied information, such as prints or specifications, are kept confidential and will not be shared with third parties without written or email authorization from the customer.

Control of External Provision of Goods and Services (Purchasing)

Jemison Metals purchase orders specify quantity and quality requirements of our customers or our QMS. Quality requirements for control items are clearly identified. Purchase orders are stored electronically in Stelplan and optionally on electronic servers.

All purchased Control Items will be verified for conformance to the Purchase Order.  Purchased Control Items will not be released for issue until required documentation or test data has been verified.  JM will reject purchased items at any time that evidence is obtained that the item does not conform to specified quality standards.

Control of Supplier

Jemison Metals Purchasing is responsible for the selection and qualification of process-related items and value-added suppliers.  Each supplier must conform to JM’s specific requirements and provide corrective action when failures occur.  Each of the suppliers must be accountable for demonstrating why problems occur and how to correct them. Determination of continued approval made at MRB meetings and/or Head of Quality or Purchasing. The qualification of key value-added suppliers is governed by QMP 8.4 New Supplier Evaluation & Approval.

Supplier Performance Analysis

Evaluating and rating of supplier’s performance in terms of quality and workmanship is the responsibility of Purchasing.  Key supplier rating reports (Supplier Scorecards) are generated, where applicable, and used by JM as an aid in evaluating supplier performance. Scorecards are disseminated internally to key quality, purchasing & materials management personnel for use (where applicable) in making sourcing decisions. These ratings include, but are not limited to: Quality, On-Time Delivery, and Service. Rating criteria, selection of "Key" suppliers, and supplier goals are the responsibility of the Head of Purchasing. Rating reports will be communicated to suppliers quarterly. "Key" suppliers are defined by the Head of Purchasing based on importance to the supply chain.

Documentation and Certification

All items and/or services contracted by JM must comply with the applicable contractual requirements and identified specifications on the purchase order.

Unique or objective documentation requirements, such as qualified personnel or Quality Management System requirements, are identified on the Purchase Order.

Value-added Services

Outside sources used to support our processes must be capable of providing the necessary services to complement our own in-house requirements.  Value-added services must be qualified or available from qualified sources.  These services will be sample verified upon receipt.

Verification of Purchased Materials and/or Services

Where Jemison Metals proposes to verify purchased items at the supplier’s premises, Jemison Metals shall specify verification arrangements and the method of purchased item release in the purchasing documents.

Where specified in the contract, JM customers shall be afforded the right to verify at the supplier’s premises and/or JM premises that the purchased item conforms to the specified requirements.

Receiving

Incoming product/material received at JM will be inspected for transit damage, quantity, type, and documentation as specified by the purchase order or the bill of lading.

Applicable Quality Management Procedures and Documents:

Ø   QMP 7.5   Documented Information

Ø   SOP 2       Purchasing

Ø  QMP 8.7    Control of Nonconforming Output

Ø  QMP 8.4    New Supplier Evaluation & Approval

Purchased Material Flowchart

Production and Service Operations

Process Control

Processing

The Director of Operations and facility Plant Managers ensure that all products are processed under controlled conditions, which include the following:

Ø  Documented procedures defining the manner of processing when the absence of such procedures could adversely affect quality

Ø  Use of suitable processing equipment and a suitable work environment

Ø  Compliance with reference standards, quality plan and/or documented procedures

Ø  Monitoring and control of suitable process parameters and process characteristics depicted in a Work Order, flow chart or Control Plan

Ø  Approval of process and equipment, as appropriate

Ø  Criteria for workmanship are specified in the clearest practical manner

Machine operators verify the set-up for each process ensuring that processing inspection data and process-monitoring data is collected and recorded and then stored with process records.

Work Order

A work order is computer generated for each order number that identifies the sequence of operations and lists pertinent data to meet customer requirements.  The work order utilizes tag number (as required by the customer) and job number for traceability and feedback to the system. Operator sign-offs are required at in-process/final inspection points.

The work order is generated by Production Planning, prior to running an order.  Its purpose is to identify any processing issues and inspection concerns.  Any routing issues are addressed with changes, if required, before the job is processed again.

Designation of Key Characteristics

Certain Characteristics of the process are “critical” to the customer’s successful use of their products and therefore are given special designation, control and documentation within the processing system, as required by customer. 

Inspection

Inspection points are identified in the work order.  Personnel are required to verify critical features before an operation can continue.

Change

Significant changes, defined as those changes which could conceivably adversely effect product quality, will be planned in order to evaluate potential unintended consequences and to mitigate any adverse effects.

Applicable Quality Management Procedures and Documents:

Ø   QMP 6.3   Planning of Changes

Ø   QMP 7.5   Documented Information

Ø   COP 2        Production

Servicing & Post-Delivery Activities

Jemison Metals does not provide after sales service agreements on the products that it sells to its customers.

Post delivery activities include: Non-Conformance Investigations and Corrective Actions, Customer Engagement to determine if the products were to their satisfaction, consignment verification, technical support, etc.

Validation of Processes N/A

There are no “Special Process” performed at Jemison Metals.

Identification, Traceability, and Status

Identification

Purchased material (product, components, and/or services) is verified for conformance to applicable standards.  Only properly identified materials are released for issue to processing.  Unused materials are returned to inventory with identification verified and restored, if applicable.

Product identification and inspection status of materials are identified using a work order – production order (STELPRO) and/or Tag System that accompanies material through the stages of processing and indicates the conformance or nonconformance of product with regard to inspection and tests performed.  A “Reject” tag is attached to material that is nonconforming.  Only product that has passed the required inspections is used.

Traceability

Product is processed using a work order – production order and/or Tag System, which includes an internal lot number (when required by customer), and provides unique traceability and is maintained through delivery.

Applicable Quality Management Procedures and Documents:

Ø   COP 2        Production

Customer Property

Jemison Metals shall ensure any customer-supplied property shall be maintained in the same manner as any other materials within the Quality Management System.  Note: customer property can include intellectual property and personal data.

Receiving

When customer-supplied product is received, JM treats it in the same manner as other items that are purchased.  Customer property is identified as such, and routed through Receiving.  Any deviations are reported to the owner for resolution.  Records of such deviations are retained.

Handling and Storage

Customer property is handled and stored in accordance with Jemison’s established practices.  When specified in the contract, unique handling instructions from the customer take precedence.  Customer property is identified with a “C” suffix in STELPLAN.

Applicable Quality Management Procedures and Documents:

Ø   QMP 7.5    Documented Information

Ø   QMP 8.7    Control of Nonconforming Outputs

Handling, Storage, Packaging, Preservation and Delivery

Handling and Storage

Methods and means of handling products for processing are used so as to prevent damage and/or deterioration.

Only items that are properly identified and that have passed the required inspections are authorized to enter and leave storage areas.  Items are stored in a manner that prevents damage and degradation and are assessed before use to detect deterioration of items in stock.

Packaging and Delivery

Packaging personnel are responsible for:        

Ø    Utilizing correct packaging.

Ø    Identifying and labeling, as required, each shipping coil, pallet or skid. 

All packaging shall be performed per customer requirements.

The shipping clerk is trained and responsible for:

Ø  Ensuring that all of the items called for on the shop routing match the items being packaged/shipped.

Ø  Providing sufficient protection for all items being shipped.

Ø  Ensuring that the correct shipping documentation is included.

Preservation

Appropriate preservation and segregation methods are used to protect all items.  Items are protected prior to delivery.  When contractually specified, this protection is extended to include delivery to destination.

Delivery 

The organization will track delivery performance.

Applicable Quality Management Procedures and Documents: 

Ø   COP 2        Production      

Revision History