Quality Specialist

Pilkington North America, Inc.; Whitby; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilkington North America, Inc. in Whitby, Ontario, is seeking a Quality Assurance Leader to ensure product and process quality, while driving continuous improvement initiatives across the Plant.

You will lead root-cause analyses, corrective actions, and calibration programs, and collaborate with Engineering to keep quality documentation audit-ready. The role emphasizes strong problem-solving, cross-functional leadership, and a proactive quality culture to meet customer expectations and

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of SPC and problem-solving methods (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone).
• Experience developing PFMEAs, control plans, and process diagrams.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and translate to process controls.
• Proven leadership in quality teams and investigations.

Responsibilities

• Root Cause Analysis with structured tools; address nonconformities.
• Initiate corrective actions and verify implementation to prevent recurrence.
• Manage customer portals for quality reporting and corrective actions.
• Update PFMEA documents and control plans; ensure audit readiness.
• Act as quality liaison with customers; investigate issues and validate actions.
• Lead SPC data reviews and drive process improvement with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain calibration system; lead MSAs and standardized measurement methods.
• Oversee internal audit program per IATF, customer, and company requirements.

Skills

SPC

PFMEA

Control plans

Process flows

Engineering drawings

Quality team leadership

Automotive portals

Microsoft Office

Nonconforming material control

Education

CQE certification

Mechanical Engineer

Tools

SAP

Job description

The purpose of this role is to ensure products and processes meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations while leading continuous improvement initiatives. This position requires a balance of technical knowledge, leadership, and strategic thinking to manage daily quality issues while driving long-term process improvements and team development.

Essential Functions:

• Root Cause Analysis & Problem-Solving: Champion the use of structured problem-solving tools (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, etc.) Identify, document, and address product and process nonconformities.
• Initiate and recommend corrective actions, verify implementation, and control the flow of nonconforming products to prevent recurrence.
• Manage customer portals for quality reporting, corrective action submissions ensuring information required is entered with a focus to ensure quality sorts are managed effectively
• Production FMEA & Documentation Updates: Regularly update PFMEA documents and control plans in response to corrective actions or process changes. Ensure that quality documentation remains current, accurate, and audit ready. Collaborate reviews with Engineering Department
• Customer Focus: Act as a quality liaison by visiting customers when needed to investigate issues, validate corrective actions, and promote a proactive quality culture. Ensure all internal and external complaints are addressed effectively and promptly.
• Quality Continuous Improvement: This includes PPM & customer scorecard review and monitoring of improvement efforts
• SPC Program: Support by conducting regular data reviews and suggest process improvement opportunities working collaboratively with the Quality Specialists, Quality technicians and Process Improvers
• Calibration system: Manage by conducting monthly reviews ensuring requirements are maintained, standardized measurement methods are developed, MSA and applicable studies are performed based on applicable standards. System is adhered to through training of Quality Technicians
• Internal audit system: Plan, implement and maintain the internal audit system for product, process and system based on IATF, customer, corporate BMS and plant requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Top 3 Competencies Needed for Success in the Role:

• Customer Focus 1. Actively seeks to understand internal and external circumstances, problems, expectations, and needs. 2. Ensures that customer solutions, practices, and procedures are designed and implemented to ensure customer satisfaction. Ensures that the customer perspective is the driving force behind business decisions and activities
• Empowers & Develops: Promotes a learning culture through coaching, stretch opportunities, sharing expertise and providing honest and helpful feedback.
• Passion for Excellence 1. Takes personal responsibility and ownership for achieving results and objectives. 2. Demonstrates and fosters a sense of urgency, drive, and personal commitment. 3. Shows resilience by consistently displaying a positive outlook and responding resourcefully when faced with new challenges and demands.

Qualifications Required:

• Advanced knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Demonstrated experience in developing quality documentation such as PFMEAs, control plans, and process flows
• Experience developing, implementing and managing calibration and measurement systems in a manufacturing environment
• Strong ability to interpret technical drawings and engineering specifications. Can translate drawing/customer specifications to process controls.
• Proven instructional and communication skills, with the ability to lead quality teams and investigations.
• Experience with automotive customer portals or similar applications
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Demonstrated knowledge of nonconforming material control, containment and material disposition.

Qualifications Desired:

• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Mechanical Engineer
• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent certification
• Experience in the automotive or manufacturing sector, preferably in glass or related materials
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards
• Familiarity with SAP

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The salary range posted represents NSG Group/Pilkington Glass of Canada Ltd.'s good faith estimate of the expected compensation for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the successful candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, education, internal equity, and business requirements.

Compensation & Benefits (External Postings Only):

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, which may include a pension program, extended health and dental benefits, vision care, life insurance, paid vacation, paid statutory holidays, employee assistance programs, and opportunities for educational and professional development. Eligibility for specific benefits is determined by Company policy and applicable plan provisions.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

NSG Group/Pilkington Glass of Canada Ltd. is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and respectful workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or provincial legislation.

Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment and selection process in accordance with applicable human rights legislation. Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to advise the Company at any stage of the hiring process.

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