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APA – The Engineered Wood Association is seeking a Quality Analyst with knowledge of the engineered wood industry and the ability to communicate and comprehend Japanese (native level).  The person filling this role must be able to travel domestically and internationally on occasion.

This role can be done remotely and does not need to be in the Tacoma, WA area although travel to the Tacoma area may be occasionally required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
This key position will administer all aspects of APA’s Registered Overseas Certification Body program for products certified under the Japanese Agriculture Standard.

• Maintain registered overseas certification body status with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan.
• Maintain a professional relationship, and communicate effectively with APA staff, mill personnel and MAFF personnel.
• Submit all required documentation to MAFF.
• Take the lead during annual MAFF audit.
• Participate in the Japanese Agriculture Standard (JAS) revision process.
• Work with various international technical committees involved with structural wood products.
• Translate JAS standard from Japanese to English.
• Coordinate approval process of trademarked engineered wood products for conformance to JAS product standards and APA certification policies.
• Monitor technical and quality compliance with JAS and other international standards applicable to structural wood products including plywood, OSB, glued-laminated timber, LVL and CLT.
• Review audit reports, mill quality manuals and laboratory test reports for conformance to industry, mill, APA, and JAS product standards.
• Assist in developing and conducting training programs for applicable APA staff and mill personnel.
• Ensure activities associated with APA’s accreditations are maintained and enhanced.

• Must be fluent with the Japanese language and familiar with Japanese customs and culture. Native level Japanese (oral and written).
• Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a technical or manufacturing field or equivalent.
• Must have excellent verbal/written communication skills in both English and Japanese.
• Must be proficient with MS Office products, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally.
• Must be able to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals written in both Japanese and English.
• Experience with international wood product standards is preferred.

About APA - The Engineered Wood Association

For more than 85 years, APA – The Engineered Wood Association has focused on helping the industry create structural wood products of exceptional strength, versatility and reliability. Combining the research efforts of scientists at APA’s 42,000 square-foot research center with the knowledge gained from decades of field work, and cooperation with our member manufacturers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry. APA’s corporate headquarters are in Tacoma, Washington. A regional quality testing laboratory is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

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