Supplier Quality Engineer - PGT Innovations

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 MITER Brands 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 MITER Brands 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 MITER Brands improvements. 

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.  

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. 

• 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.  

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 preferred. 
  
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.  

  
REASONING ABILITY  

• Attention to detail.  

• Ability to spot incorrect / redundant information and generate useful results.  

• Understand specific requirements of end users and provide best available information to decision makers. 

• Critical thinking and data visualization.  

  
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS  
ASQ Certifications preferred (CQE, CQA, CSQP, Six Sigma Black or Green Belt)  
  
PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT     

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Usual office environment with frequent sitting, walking, and standing.  

• Frequent travel requirements including extended sitting (flights, car travel, etc)  

• Frequent use of eye, hand, and finger coordination enabling the use of office machinery.  

• Oral and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication as well as communication through automated devices such as the telephone.   

LOCATION:

• This position will be based at one of our two primary sites: Tacoma, Washington, or Simi Valley, California. Candidates will be assigned to the office located at the plant with significant production in one of these areas, offering the opportunity to work in close proximity to ongoing operations.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS  

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.  

• Frequent = Up to 80% of the time.  

On March 28, 2024, PGT Innovations was successfully acquired by MITER Brands and incorporated into the organization’s portfolio. MITER Brands is a family of leading window and door brands united by a passion for quality and relentless pursuit of 100%.

WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT

We have one purpose: Build the most valued window and door brand in America. But, like all great things, that journey starts by bringing together a team of the most passionate, experienced and dedicated window experts in the industry. From our team to our customers and our communities, we strive to inspire deeper engagements and new possibilities for all. Because we believe that business is always personal.

PEOPLE FIRST ISN'T JUST A CATCHPHRASE.

It's a value we live every day. We make investments for the long-haul, to ensure the success of all. Because when our people win, we all win.

DOING THE RIGHT THING IS IN OUR DNA.

Through best practices, strategic investments and our relentless Pursuit of 100%, we strive for higher quality, greater precision and more efficiency in everything we do.

WE SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS AT A DEPTH THAT OTHERS CANNOT.

We find every opportunity to deliver seamless engagements and the extraordinary experiences that lead to valued, long-lasting relationships.

#PGTHP