Quality Engineer

Senior Quality Engineer

Reports To: Safety & Facilities Director

Location: Hebron, Kentucky

Accountability: The Senior Quality Engineer is responsible for overseeing quality engineering, supplier quality, quality management system (QMS), and continuous improvement quality initiatives across the organization. This role will drive product and process quality, support customer programs, oversee supplier quality development, and ensure compliance with ISO standards.

The primary objective of this role is to improve product quality, reduce cost of poor quality, strengthen supplier performance, and improve the effectiveness of the Quality Management System. Ideally a candidate who can present factual, nonbiased findings based on methodical, data driven processes.

Scope and Responsibilities:

Essential duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Supplier Quality & Supplier Development:

• Work with suppliers and internal FMS departments to improve part quality and reduce cost of non-conformity & warranty costs.
• Manage supplier quality and supplier development initiatives alongside purchasing team.
• Assist supplier quality performance metrics alongside purchasing team.
• Refine procedures and requirements for supplier qualification.
• Participate in supplier evaluations including quality control plans and product reviews owned by purchasing team.
• Coordinate supplier corrective actions and drive resolution of supplier quality issues.

Quality Engineering:

• Lead quality activities related to internal, external, and customer-driven programs.
• Implement quality control measures, methodology, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Use QMS and lean tools to review products, services, and processes to evaluate quality and/or performance enhancements.
• Analyze data to identify trends, quality issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify root causes of defects and implement corrective and preventive actions using QMS and lean methodology.
• Monitor and report quality metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide reports and analysis to management to support decision making.
• Support production teams in resolving quality issues and improving processes.
• Use statistical analysis, capability studies, sampling theory, and other quality tools.

Quality Management System (QMS):

• Support and progressively assume ownership of the QMS.
• Ensure effectiveness, efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement of the management system.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and other applicable standards.
• Manage document control processes for approving, reviewing, and updating controlled documents.
• Maintain records demonstrating compliance with procedures and standards.
• Support management review meetings and report on QMS effectiveness.
• Coordinate internal audit programs and corrective action follow-ups.
• Liaise with external auditors and certification bodies.
• Ensure customer satisfaction metrics are monitored, and improvement actions implemented.
• Train employees on QMS procedures and requirements and educate and promote understanding of the quality system.
• Ensure regulatory and legal compliance requirements are maintained.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive experience in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, or QHSE.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience with supplier quality and customer quality programs required.
• Leadership or project management experience preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems; SAP preferred.

Technical Knowledge Requirements:

Strong working knowledge of:

• Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement
• Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action
• Supplier Quality and Development
• Blueprint / Schematic Reading
• GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)
• Metrology and Gage Calibration
• Statistical Analysis and Capability Studies
• Document Control and QMS Administration

Certifications preferred:

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Six Sigma Black Belt / Lean
• ISO Internal Auditor Certification

Travel Requirements:

Requires traveling, including visiting vendors.

Physical Demands

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger and handle; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters with performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the essential functions, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; oil or grease; the noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Qualifications

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