Incoming Materials Quality Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Can you turn supplier variability into process reliability?

If you thrive on building systems, leading teams, and partnering with suppliers to eliminate defects at the source, AMACO wants to meet you.

Who We Are

AMACO has been synonymous with innovation in ceramics since 1919—introducing industry-first clays and glazes and manufacturing trusted electric kilns and potter’s wheels. As a multi-generation, family-led company and ACMI founding member, we champion safety, learning, and continuous improvement across our factory floors and offices.

Your Mission

Reports to: Director of Operations

Lead the quality gate at the point of entry. You will architect the framework for supplier qualification and monitoring, direct incoming inspections, and make sure AMACO and Brent CTQ requirements are non-negotiable. You’ll be the first call on discrepancies, driving root-cause, corrective actions, and sustainable fixes while building supplier capability through Kaizen and A3 problem solving.

Imagine Your First 90 Days

1. Stand up a supplier scorecard and auditing cadence, aligned to ISO 9001 and AMACO standards.
2. Optimize incoming inspection plans and measurement methods; train your team and key suppliers.
3. Launch a rapid-response playbook with production, procurement, and engineering to contain, correct, and prevent issues.

Leadership

• Set direction, schedules, and performance expectations for supplier quality staff.
• Mentor team members in quality science and ceramics fundamentals.

Accountabilities

• Supplier Quality System: qualification, audits, monitoring, scorecards, and agreements.
• Discrepancy owner: lead investigations, 8D/root cause, corrective actions; escalate to the In-Process Quality Supervisor for process-level fixes.
• Collaboration: ensure production flow while working with procurement/engineering on supplier selection and development.
• Improvement engine: implement AMACO and Brent Quality System standards; lead supplier corrective action systems and continuous improvement events.

How We’ll Measure Impact

• Supplier defect rates and incoming failures trending down.
• Production downtime from supplier issues minimized.
• Scorecards improving across defects, delivery, and compliance.
• Corrective actions delivered quickly and proven effective.

What You Bring

• BS in Ceramics, Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Technology, or related (AS + significant experience considered).
• 5–7+ years in supplier quality or quality engineering within manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience creating a Supplier Quality System.
• Comfort with ISO 9001; exposure to IATF 16949, AS9100, or ISO 13485 is advantageous.
• SPC/statistics proficiency (Minitab preferred).
• Ability to create and document standards, including translating attribute criteria into numeric specs.
• Preferred: ASQ CSQP, CQE, CQA, or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
• Proven results in supplier audits, corrective action leadership, and supplier development.

Skills & Traits

• Deep knowledge of test methods, audits, and supplier quality systems.
• CTQ application, PPAP, FMEA, and 8D methodology.
• Persuasive, collaborative leadership and supplier negotiation.
• Balanced judgment across quality, cost, and delivery.
• Project management discipline and clear communication.

Working Conditions

Expect extended standing and frequent lifting/heavy lifting; conditions vary from hot to cold environments.

Physical Demands: Regular talking/hearing; frequent standing, walking, using hands, and reaching; occasional sitting, climbing/balancing, and stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling ; frequent lifting/moving up to 50+ pounds; vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Schedule & Travel

Full-time, Monday–Friday, 40+ hours per week, with occasional evening/weekend work. Travel up to 30%.

Accessibility

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

EEO Statement:

AMACO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: AMACO is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AMACO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the location where we operate. AMACO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Also Good To Have

• Quality inspection experience
• Continuous improvement/Kaizen
• Hands-on troubleshooting
• APQP familiarity
• Supplier management
• SOP creation and maintenance
• Quality control data analysis

Growth Mindset

As AMACO evolves, related duties may be added to support our mission and customers.