Supplier Quality Engineer

at  PGT Innovations

Summary:
We are looking for a focused and detail-oriented Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE). The SQE will provide support and technical expertise for the deployment and monitoring (auditing) of the PGTI supplier expectations. The SQE will report to the Supplier Quality and Development Manager with interactions with Category Managers, site quality, purchasing, engineering and operational leaders at all PGTI sites.
The primary responsibility of the SQE will be supplier performance management including quality metric improvement, on-time delivery performance, surveillance audits and supplier training. Success in this position will be measured by the year over year supplier performance improvements and PGTI KPI improvements.
What You’ll Do:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Primary responsibility will be support of supplier performance management including quality metric improvement, on-time delivery performance, surveillance audits and supplier training.
• Work with Category Managers and site purchasing to research, assess and source the best suppliers to supply necessary materials.
• Visit supplier sites and observe the manufacturing environment to review and assess their procedures.
• Perform regular supplier quality audits to ensure suppliers continue to work in compliance with company, local and federal standards.
• Review incoming material and products from suppliers to check for defects and ensure quality.
• Conduct tests and assessments on products to identify quality issues.
• Maintain detailed reports on supplier quality, including defect rates and areas that result in flaws.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to suppliers to reduce defect rates.
• Serve as a liaison between our company’s senior management and the suppliers to identify quality issues and come up with solutions.
• Help drive root cause and corrective action on identified issues (customer complaints, manufacturing & supplier quality, process and systems issues).
• Provide training on Quality issues and business processes.
• Perform qualification, process and system compliance audits at supplier facilities.
• Establish and teach personnel to perform quality checks at suppliers, as needed.
• Facilitate problem solving and drive Continuous Improvement activities to enhance the quality system, such as 5S, Quick Kaizen/Lean methods, First Pass Yield, DPMO, Scrap, Process Capability, Mistake Proofing, SPC.
• Maintain quality documentation, logs, and system for assigned products as required.
• Perform and develop PPAPs. Ensure PPAP requirements are understood and met by suppliers.
• Ensure the company’s processes meet requirements by identifying gaps and work with cross functional teams to convert those findings into corrective measures.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Quality Engineering and/or five plus years of relevant work experience.
• Must possess knowledge of gaging and inspection techniques.
• Expertise in geometric dimensioning, trigonometry, and tolerance as well as mistake proof concepts and implementation.
• Previous experience working in a high mix / high volume manufacturing environment.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint) and / or other relational databases, ERP systems for data manipulation and report creation.

LANGUAGE / COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Bilingual English and Spanish language skills required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Proficient in Basic Statistics and use of statistical tools.
• Skilled in combining figures to produce new measures consistently.
• Ability to express numeric results as charts, graphs, tables and other graphical elements.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Frequent = Up to 80% of the time.
  Who We Are:
  At PGT Innovations, we may build and support high-quality, innovative windows and doors, but every day holds opportunities for us to do so much more – from building stronger teams through leading, supporting, mentoring, and collaborating, to fostering better relationships with our customers.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Persuasive leader. Must have ability to lead and /or support Engineers / Technicians.
• Make day-to-day decisions within and for a group / department.
• Train people outside own work group.
• Liaise and communicate with suppliers, cross functional teams and other service providers.
• Communicate effectively throughout the supply chain and leadership.
• Serve as a liaison with suppliers to ensure quality and prompt responsive action to quality issues.

Who You Are:

• Quality System auditing skills and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with suppliers to improve performance.
• Strong project management, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in system/process improvement tools (SPC, FMEA, DOE, 8D, A3, PPAP, CPK, etc.)
• Knowledge/Proficiency on computer systems Example: SAP, MS Dynamics, GageTrak, SPC software, MS Office, Minitab etc.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and supply chain processes (Example: Audits, Inventories, Warehouse management, WIP, Warranty, Scrap, Re-work, Cost of quality)
• Proficient in corrective action processes (8D, A3, CAPA, 5Why’s, DMAIC)
• Knowledge of relevant standards, inspection sampling plans, measurement systems and equipment.
• Use and understanding of statistical tools
• Understanding of basic inspection equipment’s (Comparators, CMM’s) and inspection criteria.
• Assertive, flexible and accepting of change.
• Strong knowledge of Advanced Product and Process Planning techniques.
• Must be structured and possess good planning / prioritization skills.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration.
• Analytical mind with business acumen and aptitude for math and statistics.
• Strong work ethic and an ability to excel within a rapidly changing and growing organization.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Primary responsibility will be support of supplier performance management including quality metric improvement, on-time delivery performance, surveillance audits and supplier training.
• Work with Category Managers and site purchasing to research, assess and source the best suppliers to supply necessary materials.
• Visit supplier sites and observe the manufacturing environment to review and assess their procedures.
• Perform regular supplier quality audits to ensure suppliers continue to work in compliance with company, local and federal standards.
• Review incoming material and products from suppliers to check for defects and ensure quality.
• Conduct tests and assessments on products to identify quality issues.
• Maintain detailed reports on supplier quality, including defect rates and areas that result in flaws.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to suppliers to reduce defect rates.
• Serve as a liaison between our company’s senior management and the suppliers to identify quality issues and come up with solutions.
• Help drive root cause and corrective action on identified issues (customer complaints, manufacturing & supplier quality, process and systems issues).
• Provide training on Quality issues and business processes.
• Perform qualification, process and system compliance audits at supplier facilities.
• Establish and teach personnel to perform quality checks at suppliers, as needed.
• Facilitate problem solving and drive Continuous Improvement activities to enhance the quality system, such as 5S, Quick Kaizen/Lean methods, First Pass Yield, DPMO, Scrap, Process Capability, Mistake Proofing, SPC.
• Maintain quality documentation, logs, and system for assigned products as required.
• Perform and develop PPAPs. Ensure PPAP requirements are understood and met by suppliers.
• Ensure the company’s processes meet requirements by identifying gaps and work with cross functional teams to convert those findings into corrective measures