Supplier Quality Specialist

Heliene; Rogers (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical & dental

401K match

Paid PTO

Life Insurance

Performance Incentive

Paid sick days

Paid personal days

Job summary

Heliene, a fast-growing solar module manufacturer, seeks a Supplier Quality Specialist to lead supplier qualification, audits, and development. You will drive quality improvements across raw materials and finished products supplied by third parties, collaborate with supply chain, engineering, and production, and travel up to 35% to US/Canada and internationally.

The role reports to the Quality Engineering Manager and requires a BS in engineering or quality with 5+ years in supplier quality, plus

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or quality with five years experience in supplier quality in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP and ISO 9001 or automotive certification.
• Understanding of GD&T, drawing and design/process controls.
• Must understand and be able to develop inspection and test methods.
• Project management and KPI development experience.
• Supplier evaluations and audits including traceability audits.
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving with 8D/5-Why/SPC.

Responsibilities

• Participate in supplier qualification and selection activities, leading supplier quality assessments.
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• Develop and report Quality Performance Metrics (e.g., Defect ppm) for internal/external stakeholders.
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• Lead supplier development projects to improve quality, capability, productivity and reduce variance.
• 0
• Conduct/design FMEAs, PPAP/PPAP-like activities, and control plan development with product engineering.
• 0
• Collaborate with internal partners to minimize total cost of ownership and price of non-conformance.
• 0
• Provide technical support to receiving inspection as needed.
• 0
• Develop data requirements for supplier shipments and pre-shipment checks.
• 0
• Create Incoming Quality Inspection Criteria and Work Instructions for Heliene staff.
• 0
• Lead training on quality tools (FMEA, Control Plans, Process Auditing) for suppliers.
• 0
• Perform other duties as assigned by Quality Engineering Manager

Skills

APQP

PPAP

ISO 9001

GD&T

Root cause analysis

8D problem solving

5 Why

SPC

Lean

Six Sigma

Project management

KPIs

Supplier audits

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

BS in engineering

Quality background

Job description

About Heliene

Heliene is a fast-paced entrepreneurial company growing rapidly in a highly desirable industry, with a mission to be part of the solution to climate challenges and contribute to a better planet. Heliene has taken the challenge to help the world reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, by striving to be a leader in renewable energy. We are a manufacturer of high efficiency and high-quality solar modules. Our modules are produced on state-of-the-art solar manufacturing lines in Ontario-Canada, Minnesota-USA, and at manufacturing partners around the world. Customer First is more than a slogan. It's the guiding principle of our business, a core value, and the cornerstone of our company culture.

WHY JOIN HELIENE

We are looking for talented and motivated people that want to help us shape the solar industry. Under an experienced leadership team, we provide growth opportunities, intellectual challenge and a flexible, collaborative company culture.

We offer comprehensive benefits, including competitive salaries; paid time off; health, dental, vision and life insurance; as well as retirement plans.

THE POSITION

Job Title: Supplier Quality Specialist

Position Status: Full Time

Department: Quality Engineering

Supervision Received: Quality Engineering Manager

Supervision Exercised: No formal supervision. Works with Supply Chain, suppliers, Quality, Warehouse Operations, Engineering and Product Engineering in a leadership role

Location: Rogers, MN or Mountain Iron, MN (on-site)

• Supplier Qualification, Development and Audits 40%
• Process Qualification and supply-side Product Development 30%
• Heliene Plants And Other Functions Assistance 20%
• Other Duties as assigned 10%
• TOTAL 100%

The Supplier Quality Specialist works with the team to ensure the company has and maintains a robust quality system and processes capable of delivering products consistently meeting specifications for raw material and finished products supplied by third parties. The duties of a SQS include, but are not limited to, develop and monitor Key performance indicators (KPIs), Audit Supplier Traceability Program, engage in product development with product-engineering to ensure Supplier process capabilities and controls, Manages the assessment/audits of new or existing suppliers, and leads successful on-boarding with the support of other departments. Significant Travel will be required. This role must grow with the growth of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in supplier qualification and selection activities, including taking the lead on supplier quality assessments.
• Develop, analyze and report qualitative and quantitative data to present Quality Performance Metrics (e.g. Defect ppm) of actual supplier performance to internal & external stake holders (including potential investors).
• Establish direct working relationships with key suppliers to foster continuous improvement programs and activities and lead/facilitate implementation of such projects towards improving quality/capability/productivity and reducing variability using six sigma methodology/lean techniques for the mutual benefits of the parties while driving Corrective Actions & problem root cause analysis as necessary.
• Conducts / Participates in Supplier design and process FMEAs, Print/Process Reviews, advance Quality Planning, Control Plan development, process capability and gage studies, and other milestone events.
• Participates in initial and sustaining part qualification, including Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities as required by the level of criticality of the component.
• Collaborates with internal partners to minimize total-cost-of-ownership and price-of-non-conformance.
• Provides technical support to the receiving inspection function when appropriate.
• Defines data requirements associated with suppliers’ shipment or pre-shipment and assist when the quality team reports regular noncompliance.
• Develops applicable Incoming Quality Inspection Criteria, Work Instructions, etc. for Heliene Quality and Operations Staff
• Leads training initiatives on quality tools such as FMEA, Control Plans, Process Auditing, for supplier.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Quality Engineering Manager

Minimum Qualifications

BS in engineering, or quality with five years in supplier quality in a manufacturing environment, ideally in a regulated industry or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Strong experience with APQP, PPAP and ISO 9001 or automotive certification.
• Understanding of GD&T, drawing and design /process controls.
• Must understand and be able to develop inspection and test methods.
• Project management skills.
• Data collection and analysis - Must develop KPIs.
• Supplier evaluations and audits (including traceability audit).
• Strong root cause analysis, Problem-solving abilities and Corrective Action implementation with thorough understanding of 8D report process, 5 Why, SPC.
• Working knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma tools - DMAIC problem solving.
• The ability to facilitate change and positively influence others.
• The ability to manage complex communication with suppliers or customers.
• Must be a motivated and organized multi-tasker that requires minimal supervision to complete assignments and capable to deliver under stress.
• Must have a valid passport and ability to travel to US/Canada and internationally. Travel requirement is expected to be around 35%.
• Must be allowed to work in US or Canada and complete record check and drug screening prior to employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Any of these certification ASQ, CQE, CQA, UPPAP, ASQC, BB, GB, ISO, BBSS, PPM
• Experience in the manufacturing of PV modules or other solar/renewable energy equipment.

Salary Range

$65,000 to $95,000 Annually

Benefits

• Employer paid employee medical & dental benefits
• Co-pay for spouse/dependents
• Performance Incentive
• Life Insurance
• 401K match
• Paid PTO
• Paid sick days
• Paid personal days

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States of America.

Heliene is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our organization and is an equal-opportunity employer. Heliene invites and encourages applications from all qualified candidates from equity-deserving groups, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Currently, Heliene USA is not accepting applicants that require sponsorship.