Supplier Quality Assurance Program Lead

About AMACO

Founded in 1919, American Art Clay Company (AMACO) pioneered commercial ceramic and non-ceramic clays, lead-free glazes, electric kilns, and potter's wheels. As a founding member of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute, AMACO helped set the industry's child-safety standards in 1936. Four generations later, we continue to build high-quality, safe ceramic supplies while cultivating a culture of continuous improvement from the factory floor to the executive offices.

The Role

Title: Supplier Quality Assurance Program Lead
Reports to: Director of Operations

Picture your first 90 days: you stand up a supplier quality framework that tightens incoming inspections, turns CTQs into clear acceptance criteria, and gives our teams real-time visibility into supplier performance. You coach a small team, roll out standardized test methods to vendors, and partner with production, procurement, and engineering to solve problems fast—without sacrificing quality, cost, or delivery.

What You'll Do

• Build the program: Architect supplier qualification, auditing, monitoring, scorecards, and agreements. Define incoming inspection plans and ensure CTQ specs are measurable, taught, and followed by AMACO/Brent teams and suppliers.
• Fix what matters, fast: Be the first call on supplier discrepancies. Lead root-cause analysis (8D), implement corrective actions, and when line issues persist, escalate to the In-Process Quality Supervisor to protect production.
• Partner to prevent disruptions: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with production on the floor; collaborate with procurement and engineering to select, develop, and improve suppliers. Establish rapid-response routines that keep lines running.
• Drive continuous improvement: Deploy AMACO and Brent Quality System requirements to suppliers. Implement corrective action systems; lead supplier Kaizen and A3 initiatives to raise capability and performance.

How You'll Be Measured (KPIs)

• Fewer supplier-caused defects and incoming inspection failures
• Reduced downtime tied to supplier quality issues
• Improved supplier scorecards (defects, delivery, compliance)
• Corrective actions that are timely and effective

Team Leadership

• Direct, coach, and develop the supplier quality team; set goals, schedule work, and deliver performance feedback.
• Be a hands-on leader who enjoys teaching quality fundamentals—and the basics of ceramics—to build capability.

What You Bring

• Deep knowledge of test methods, auditing practices, and supplier quality systems; fluency in CTQs, PPAP, FMEA, and 8D.
• Ability to influence suppliers and internal partners; balances quality, cost, and delivery with sound judgment.
• Proven project planning, organization, negotiation, and communication skills; results-oriented mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Ceramics, Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Technology, or related field; an Associate's plus significant relevant experience will be considered.
• 5–7+ years in supplier quality or quality engineering within manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience creating and maturing a Supplier Quality System.
• Proficient with ISO 9001; familiarity with IATF 16949, AS9100, or ISO 13485 is advantageous.
• SPC/statistical tool proficiency (Minitab preferred).
• Strong background in developing and documenting quality standards, including converting attribute-based criteria into numeric limits.
• Preferred certifications: ASQ CSQP, CQE, CQA, or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
• Track record of supplier audits, corrective action ownership, and supplier development.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Expect extended standing and routine lifting, including heavy items; work may occur in both hot and cold areas.
• Regularly communicates; frequently stands, walks, uses hands for fine work, and reaches overhead/forward.
• Occasionally sits; climbs or balances; stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls.
• Frequently lifts and/or moves up to 50+ pounds.
• Vision needs include close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Schedule & Travel

• Full-time, Monday–Friday; typically 40+ hours per week, with occasional evenings/weekends as needed.
• Travel up to 30%.

Tools & Methods You Know

• Quality inspection and quality control (including data analysis)
• Continuous improvement, Kaizen, and APQP
• Troubleshooting across production and supply base
• Supplier management and development
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Other Information

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may evolve at any time with or without notice; this description is not an exhaustive list.

Accessibility & EEO

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

EEO Statement:

AMACO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: AMACO is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AMACO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the location where we operate. AMACO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.