Quality Technician in Mankato, Minnesota at Kato Cable LLC

Build Quality That Matters—Join Kato Cable as a Quality Technician!

Looking for more than just a job?
At Kato Cable, we don’t just build cable assemblies—we build trust in every product that leaves our facility. And we’re looking for a Quality Technician who takes pride in getting the details right and ensuring our customers receive nothing but the best.

If you’re someone who notices what others miss, values precision, and wants to be part of a team that lives its values every day… keep reading.

As a Quality Technician, you’ll play a critical role in maintaining the high standards we’re known for:

• Inspect cable assemblies and components to ensure they meet quality standards
• Perform in-process and final inspections using established procedures
• Identify defects and work with the team to resolve issues
• Document inspection results and maintain accurate records
• Support continuous improvement efforts across production
• Collaborate closely with production to ensure quality is built into every step

You might be a great fit if you:

• Have a sharp eye for detail and a passion for quality
• Enjoy solving problems and improving processes
• Take pride in doing things right the first time
• Are dependable and take ownership of your work
• Thrive in a team-oriented environment
• Have manufacturing or quality experience (a plus—but not required!)

We’re not your typical manufacturing environment:

• Clean, bright, temperature-controlled facility
• A culture built on our core values: Positive, Helpful, Innovative, Respectful, Integrity, Driven, Humble
• Employee appreciation events, wellness activities, and community involvement
• Opportunities to learn, grow, and build a long-term career

If you’re looking for a role where your attention to detail truly matters—and where your team supports your success—we’d love to meet you.

Apply today and help us deliver quality you can count on at Kato Cable.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 6 am - 2:30 pm

$21.00 - $23.00 /per hour

JOB PURPOSE: The quality technician works directly with the quality assurance team, analyzing manufacturing processes for improvement using various methods of testing and inspection. This position uses knowledge of regulatory requirements to assess, document and make recommendations for the quality and correction of manufactured products. This position will serve as quality assurance resource to department supervisor(s) for problem identification, resolution, and loss reporting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform in-process quality checks throughout the manufacturing process to verify instructions are being followed and built to print.
• Perform internal auditing.
• Perform PPAP / First Article review process
• Help create outgoing inspection instructions for individual assemblies.
• Initiate and complete RAs, CAPAs and NCs.
• Perform end of production inspection on wiring harnesses.
• Develop, apply and maintain quality requirements and standards for development and manufacturing products.
• Work closely with Quality Manager on continuously improving our processes and work toward leaner manufacturing.
• Work closely with support staff such as Technicians, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Supervisor, and Materials/Warehouse to resolve issues.
• Report problems or concerns with quality, processes, equipment, materials and labor to Quality Manager and Production Manager.
• Investigate root cause for quality concerns and issues.
• Support continuous improvement efforts and maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Follow documented policies and procedures as designated by the company.
• Promote and execute quality standards, inspection processes, test methodology, quality plans, documents and reports.
• Review customers purchase orders, contracts and change requests and ensure that the necessary criteria and provisions are included in quality and process plans.
• Maintain a safe work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience, Competencies and Education

Must possess an education or experience level that permits the employee to effectively communicate and perform duties, assignments and responsibilities of the job. Must have the ability to measure and read prints. Must also have basic computer knowledge.

• Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze and interpret the documents relating to the job, function or assignment.

• Mathematical Skills

Ability to perform basic mathematical equations.

• Reasoning Ability

Ability to make decisions when identifying in-process problems. Ability to deal with a variety of job assignments. Must possess strong problem solving skills.

• Communication Skills

Ability to be approachable at all times and in all situations. Respectful & professional to all employees. Ability to ask questions while investigating quality concerns.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge of quality system requirements.
• Hand crimping, soldering (wire leads, components, etc.), and wire harnessing.
• Knowledge of ISO 9000 (regulatory) requirements.
• Knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 requirements and acceptance for cable and wire harness assemblies

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MEASURES

• Accomplishment of assigned tasks.
• Adherence to the Quality Policy and ISO Procedural Requirements.
• Ability to maintain clean work areas and follow good housekeeping practices.
• Ability to follow work rules, work independently, be flexible and be willing to perform a variety of jobs.
• Ability to use any machinery/equipment required to accomplish any given job assignment.
• Ability to work effectively, courteously and respectively with other personnel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not normally exposed to weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.