Supplier Quality Assurance Supervisor — Ceramics & Kiln Systems

Shape quality at the source

Founded in 1919, American Art Clay Company (AMACO) pioneered commercial ceramic and non‑ceramic clays, lead‑free glazes, electric kilns, and potter’s wheels, and helped establish children’s art material safety standards through the Arts and Creative Materials Institute. As a fourth‑generation, family‑owned company, we believe creating art enriches lives and communities. Our culture emphasizes continuous improvement, innovation from the production floor to the office, and shared values of safety, quality, customer care, teamwork, respect, and lifelong learning.

Reports to: Director of Operations

A day in this role

In the morning, you review overnight supplier notifications, prioritize nonconformances, and coordinate incoming inspections to keep production flowing. Midday, you’re on the floor with production and engineering validating a supplier’s corrective action and coaching your team on CTQ testing methods. By afternoon, you’re partnering with Procurement to evaluate a new materials source, updating scorecards, and planning a supplier Kaizen to drive on‑time delivery and compliance.

Team leadership

• Lead and develop a supplier quality team; set objectives, build schedules, and conduct performance reviews.
• Be a hands‑on coach who trains and mentors on quality fundamentals and ceramics-specific practices.

What you'll tackle

• Design and run the supplier quality management system: qualification, audits, monitoring, scorecards, and agreements.
• Define incoming inspection plans and CTQ criteria; ensure correct test methods are used by staff and suppliers.
• Act as first responder for discrepancies; drive root cause analysis (8D), corrective and preventive actions, and escalate in‑process issues appropriately.
• Partner with Production, Procurement, and Engineering to resolve line issues and develop high‑performing suppliers with rapid‑response processes.
• Deploy AMACO and Brent Quality System standards to suppliers; lead supplier Kaizen and A3 improvements.

How success is measured

• Fewer supplier‑related defects and incoming inspection failures.
• Reduced production downtime caused by supplier quality issues.
• Higher supplier scorecard performance (defects, delivery, compliance).
• On‑time, effective corrective actions from suppliers.

What you bring

• Deep knowledge of testing methods, auditing, and supplier quality systems; strong negotiation and influence skills.
• Hands‑on experience with CTQ, PPAP, FMEA, 8D, APQP, SOPs, SPC, and statistical tools (Minitab preferred).
• Ability to balance quality, cost, and delivery while driving projects to completion with clear communication.
• Bachelor’s in Ceramics, Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Technology, or related field; an Associate’s plus significant experience considered.
• 5–7+ years in supplier quality/quality engineering within manufacturing, including building a Supplier Quality System.
• Proficiency with ISO 9001; exposure to IATF 16949, AS9100, or ISO 13485 is a plus.
• Proven track record in supplier audits, corrective action leadership, supplier development, and converting attribute standards into numeric criteria.
• Preferred certifications: ASQ CSQP, CQE, CQA, or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
• Proficiencies: Quality Inspection, Continuous Improvement, Troubleshooting, Supplier Management, Kaizen, Quality Control and Data Analysis.

Schedule and travel

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

Work environment and physical demands

• Expect periods of standing and work in both hot and cold conditions; frequent lifting and material handling.
• Regularly required to talk and hear; frequently stand, walk, use hands, and reach; occasional sitting, climbing/balancing, and stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling.
• Frequently lift or move 50+ pounds.
• Vision needs include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Additional information

Responsibilities may evolve over time to meet business needs; duties can change with or without notice.

Accessibility

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.