Quality Engineer

Suzano; Pine Bluff (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life & AD&D Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

HSA/HRA

FSAs

Voluntary Benefits

Job summary

Suzano is hiring a Quality Engineer at the Pine Bluff, Arkansas facility. You will lead QMS development, standardize quality processes, and drive improvements with cross-functional teams.

Strong SAP and advanced Excel skills are required along with experience in data analytics and problem-solving methodologies. Ideal candidates have 10+ years in quality/ manufacturing roles, and a background in paper, packaging, or similar industries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Quality/Process/Mfg Engineering or Quality Management.
• Experience in paper, packaging, pulp, chemical, or continuous manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, standardization, and optimization of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Define, implement, and maintain quality standards, procedures, and control plans.
• Drive quality system compliance and corrective actions across audits.
• Mentor Quality Engineers and partner with cross-functional teams to improve quality.

Skills

Quality management systems

SPC

MSA

FMEA

Control plans

Root cause analysis

SAP

Excel

Power BI

Minitab

JMP

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Minitab

JMP

Job description

Nice to meet you, We Are Suzano! At Suzano, we believe innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. This union gave rise to a meaningful attitude: innovability, which guides us in thinking outside the box and looking beyond to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. We plant and grow trees. We transform this renewable raw material into innovative and sustainable bioproducts that are part of the everyday life of over 2 billion people. We cultivate life on the sheet of the notebook that teaches children, in the diaper that protects babies, in the biodegradable cup of coffee that does not harm the environment, in absorbent papers and in the convenience of using sustainable packaging. Get to know us in 2 minutes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Dksqf_Nb4

About the Role

Suzano is expanding its operations in the U.S. and is seeking an experienced Quality Engineer to join our team at the paper manufacturing facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. This role plays a key part in reviewing and implementing new tools for the quality management system, improving product quality acceptance levels, and reducing non-quality losses. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in problem-solving analysis tools, statistical analysis tools, process control management tools, and experience with SAP and advanced Excel. The position requires the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvements in quality.

What You’re Going to Do

Quality Management System Leadership

• Lead the continuous development, standardization, and optimization of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Define, implement, and maintain quality standards, procedures, control plans, and quality engineering best practices.
• Drive quality system compliance while identifying opportunities to strengthen and simplify quality processes.
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring corrective actions are effectively implemented and sustained.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Mentoring

• Serve as the quality representative in multidisciplinary projects involving manufacturing, process optimization, customer initiatives, and capital investments.
• Build strong partnerships across Operations, Technical Services, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Commercial, and Engineering teams.
• Provide technical coaching and mentoring to Quality Engineers, helping develop problem-solving capabilities, statistical thinking, and quality engineering best practices.
• Support the Quality Manager in establishing priorities, sharing technical knowledge, and strengthening the overall quality organization.
• Influence decision-making through technical expertise, data-driven recommendations, and collaborative leadership.

Quality Performance & Process Improvement

• Own and monitor key quality performance indicators (KPIs), identifying trends and leading actions to improve process capability and product consistency.
• Lead strategic initiatives to reduce Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), internal rejects, customer complaints, broke, process variability, and other non-quality losses.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Maintenance, Technical Services, and Operations to improve process stability and operational performance.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and other quality engineering methodologies.

Root Cause Analysis & Technical Leadership

• Lead complex root cause investigations involving manufacturing losses, customer complaints, and chronic process issues.
• Facilitate structured problem-solving using methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, A3, Fishbone, 5 Whys, FMEA, and statistical analysis.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are robust, sustainable, and effectively verified.
• Act as a technical reference for quality engineering methodologies across the organization.

Process Control & Data Analytics

• Develop and optimize process monitoring systems using statistical analysis and process capability methodologies.
• Analyze large datasets using SAP, Excel, and other analytical tools to identify improvement opportunities and support business decisions.
• Develop dashboards and reporting systems to support data-driven decision making.
• Recommend process improvements based on statistical evidence, operational performance, and customer feedback.

Customer Quality & Product Development

• Support customer quality initiatives by participating in technical discussions, complaint investigations, customer visits, audits, and qualification activities when required.
• Partner with Technical Services, Commercial, Operations, and R&D teams to support new product development, product qualifications, process validations, and product performance evaluations.
• Ensure quality requirements are effectively incorporated throughout product development and commercialization activities.

What We Expect from You

Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline. Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in Quality Engineering, Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Quality Management within a manufacturing environment. Experience in paper, packaging, pulp, chemical, or other continuous manufacturing industries is preferred.

Technical Skills:Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001 or equivalent).Advanced understanding of SPC, Process Capability, MSA, FMEA, Control Plans, Root Cause Analysis, and statistical methods.Demonstrated experience leading complex quality improvement projects with measurable business impact.Experience supporting customer complaint investigations, product qualifications, or customer technical interactions.Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI), process validation, or product qualification is highly desirable.Advanced proficiency in SAP and Microsoft Excel; Power BI, Minitab, or JMP experience is a plus.Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred; Black Belt is a plus.

What We’re Looking For

• Collaborative Influencer: Builds strong relationships across departments, guiding facilitators and teams to maintain quality and food safety standards.
• Analytical Problem Solver: Uses data, trends, and root cause tools to identify improvement opportunities and implement corrective actions.
• Digital Mindset: Seeks smarter, more efficient ways of working, transitioning documentation from paper to digital platforms.
• Hands-On Professional: Engages directly with operations, warehouse, and production teams to ensure standards are practiced on the floor, not just on paper.
• Continuous Improver: Challenges the status quo and looks for practical ways to make quality systems more efficient and sustainable.
• Integrity & Ownership: Takes accountability for audit readiness and compliance while promoting a proactive quality culture throughout the site.

Professionals who share our values Suzano - People and Culture. Read more here: https://www.suzano.com.br/en/suzano/about-us/people-and-culture We are pleased to offer an attractive compensation and benefits package for this role, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Multiple plan options with nationwide networks to support your physical health and preventive care.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: Company-paid basic coverage and optional plans to protect you and your loved ones.
• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term coverage to help protect your income in case of illness or injury.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Automatic enrollment with a generous company match to help you plan for the future.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA): Tax-advantaged accounts with company contributions to help manage healthcare expenses.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Options for healthcare, limited-purpose, and dependent care expenses.
• Voluntary Benefits: Additional protection through accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.

Suzano is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Suzano provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Suzano complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every work location. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. All positions at Suzano are subject to random drug and alcohol screening, performed in conformance with applicable law and internal Policy.

Suzano is the world’s largest pulp manufacturer and one of the largest paper producers in Latin America, with over 56,000 employees and contractors impacting more than 2 billion people globally. With over 100 years of history, we combine innovation and sustainability and are expanding in North America through strategic acquisitions. We lead in sustainable forestry practices, planting 1.2 million eucalyptus seedlings every day in Brazil, and transform renewable resources into sustainable bioproducts like biodegradable coffee cups, eco-friendly packaging, and tissue products. Suzano’s solutions enhance daily life while safeguarding the environment. Join us in shaping a sustainable future together.