Engineer, Quality

At Forte Opening Solutions, we don't just manufacture doors; we create pathways to possibilities. We empower our employees to shape the future of our industry. Join a team where craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology, and where your ideas can open new doors. Together, we build not just products, but a culture of excellence and collaboration. 

The Engineer, Quality will lead the Quality Management Systems (QMS) of a US Door location. This position requires a leader and doer with a proven track record of improving product quality, implementing QMS systems, performing First Pass Yield (FPY) analysis, and driving the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) down. The ideal candidate has a mixture of production and quality experience with a willingness to spend significant time on the production floor performing quality-related tasks that align with the QMS System. This position does not have direct reports and is expected to both ‘lead and do’ quality management tasks with direct ownership of the success of the QMS.  The position reports to the Plant Manager.

Key Accountabilities:
Quality Management Systems (60%)
•    Partner with Production, Supply Chain, and Sales team members to develop and improve documented processes, work instructions, and process verifications.
•    Implement standard quality processes and documentation that align to the QMS Systems across all production cells.
•    Ensure compliance to stage-gate quality control processes within the production cells.
•    Perform First Pass Yield (FPY) and continuous quality control assessments on finished products and report detailed results to leadership.
•    Develop root cause analysis and risk mitigation using qualitative and quantitative assessments.
•    Develop reporting tools to document, train, and mitigate quality issues by tracking patterns for the root cause, product type, and place of origin on products.
•    Perform Quality Control (QC) training on an ongoing basis for Production, Supply Chain, and Sales team members.
•    Ensure adherence to inbound quality control measures for purchased components and partner with Supply Chain to provide feedback to supplier partners.
•    Manage all Corrective Action Requests with a standardized process that aligns with the QMS System.
•    Track and publish KPIs related to quality assurance for the plant.

Control Cost of Poor Quality (20%)
•    Maintain a Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ) of <2% on a rolling 12-month basis.
•    Develop and lead risk mitigation action plans for patterns of poor quality.
•    Submit monthly reporting to leadership on CoPQ attainment and countermeasures as needed.
•    Create technical bulletins for internal training on quality issues and risks.

Standard Operating Processes & Improvements (20%):
•    Create and maintain a standardized catalogue of work instructions for all major, repetitive, or continuous plant operations.  This includes production machines, handling processes, packaging processes, and other operational tasks.
•    Maintain all controlled documents with document and revision numbers on the US Door templates.
•    Conduct annual reviews with stakeholders for continuous improvement of Work Instructions.
•    Utilize Voice of Customer and Voice of Employee feedback to enhance QMS effectiveness.

Education and Certifications:
•    Bachelors degree preferably in technical field.
•    ASQ Certifications (CQI & CQT); or a willingness to obtain within one year.
•    Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing Training is preferred.

Technical Knowledge, Skills, or Experience:
•    Preferred  2 years of production operations experience in a manufacturing environment.
•    Preferred 2 years in a Quality role in a manufacturing environment.
•    Experience in CNC machining, woodworking, and/or metal working environments.
•    Ability to work independently with guidance but minimal direct supervision.
•    Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify and communicate root cause analysis
•     Strong written and verbal communication skills
•    Flexibility to meet the needs of varying shifts (early AM, later PM) as needed.
•    Moderate skillset in Microsoft office – Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
•    Strong acumen in developing standardized systems and creating accountability to them.
•    Experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis such as 8D, CAR, 5 Whys.
•    Passion for employee engagement and a hands-on leadership style.