Supplier Quality Specialist

IPEX is one of the North American leading providers of advanced plastic piping systems. Our mission is to shape a better tomorrow by connecting people with water and energy.

We currently have an** exciting opportunity **for** a Supplier Quality Specialist. **This role is based in our Nun’s Island office at Montreal, Quebec office and reports to the Corporate Quality Manager.

Do not miss the opportunity to join a diverse group of people-centric professionals, leaders with vision and rapid problem solvers, entrepreneurs in spirit and status quo-fighters

**Job Summary**:
**Principal Responsibilities**:

- Lead creating and implementing best practice quality vision, strategy, policies, processes, and procedures to aid and improve operational performance.
- Contribute to new business initiatives and projects and review and communicate the impact on Supplier Quality activities.
- Lead supplier development strategy, designing the function and supplier performance metrics.
- Carry out supplier validation audits with supplier support and supplier advanced product quality planning (APQP).
- Support Purchasing with the supplier approval process by assessing manufacturing/technology capabilities and Health, Safety, and Environmental risks.
- Support new product launches to ensure suppliers can deliver to the required quality standards.
- Manage the root cause analysis and corrective actions process of supplier quality issues.
- Perform on-site supplier visits for root cause analysis and verification of corrective actions of supplier quality issues.
- Where appropriate, work with the supplier directly and create corrective action plans to address process failures.
- Review inspection and test results required by regulations, technical product specifications or control plans, PPAP approval, or product mandate submission.
- Monitor and report on supplier product quality and performance, understanding commercial issues and impacts.
- Manage the Supplier's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Lead quality audits for suppliers.
- Support regular inspection meetings with representatives from appropriate departments to establish an action plan for improving build quality.
- Conduct benchmarking studies to determine best practices/designs and future trends.
- Stay current on any changes affecting the supply and demand of needed products and materials and advise others of any impact.
- Undertake personal continuous training and development.
- Promote continuous improvement such as Lean, Six Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), Measurement System Analysis, and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis).
- Coach and develop stakeholders and share best practices results with them.
- Provide leadership to the project team.
- Set objectives of /KPIs on supplier quality and assess the performance of direct reports.
- Report on achievement of targets and identify any actions required.
- Review, implement, and update company records, e.g., training matrices, performance reviews, and risk assessments.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance.
- Work collaboratively, negotiate, and engage with key stakeholders to facilitate delivery and compliance with the purchasing strategy.
- Lead the supplier approval process by assessing manufacturing/technology capabilities and Health, Safety, and Environmental risks.
- Participate in cross-functional teams in developing new products or changes related to current products in meeting customer requirements.

**Qualifications & experience**:

- A University degree in engineering.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
- A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt practitioner or above certificate is an asset.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001.
- Member of OIQ or PEO an asset.
- Certified Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) by ASQ an asset.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presenter skills.
- Excellent team spirit.
- Good computer skills in using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Experience in using Minitab is an asset.
- Good knowledge in quality tools such as but not limited to DMAIC, 8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa (Fishbone) diagram.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Data and metrics interpreting.
- Detail-oriented and meticulous mindset.
- Fast learner.
- Fully bilingual in both French and English.