Senior Customer Quality Engineering Manager

Description

Title: Senior Supplier/Customer Quality Engineering Manager Department: Tracker Operations

Location: Cleveland, OH Supervisor: Director of Strategic Sourcing

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent; Full-Time

Work Status: Hybrid

SENIOR SUPPLIER/CUSTOMER QUALITY ENGINEERING MANAGER

This is your chance to join the rapidly growing commercial solar energy business.

FLEXRACK by Qcells is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed, fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis solar tracking systems in the commercial and utility-scale solar mounting industries. FLEXRACK by Qcells also offers full services, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field, and layout design services to address the actual site conditions of a project site. FLEXRACK by Qcells has completed over 3.5 GW of solar racking installations in over 40 U.S. states, 9 Canadian provinces and across the globe.

SUMMARY

The Supplier/Customer Quality Manager is responsible for managing and improving the quality of materials, components, or services provided by suppliers to ensure they meet the FLEXRACK specifications, standards, and regulatory requirements. This role involves collaboration with suppliers, customers, internal teams, and stakeholders to drive continuous improvement, resolve quality issues, and ensure compliance with industry standards. This position reports to the Director of Strategic Sourcing, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is Hybrid located in Cleveland, OH and 4 days will be in-office and 1 day will be remote. Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 30%.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

- Supplier Evaluation and Selection: Assess potential and existing suppliers through audits, performance reviews, and risk assessments to ensure they meet quality, reliability, and compliance standards.

- Component Qualification: Develop and manage PPAP and FAI process to support part/component/assembly qualification at existing and new suppliers.

- Quality Assurance: Develop and implement supplier quality requirements, including specifications, inspection criteria, and testing protocols. Monitor supplier performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) such as defect rates and delivery metrics.

- Issue Resolution: Investigate and resolve supplier-related quality issues, including root cause analysis, corrective action plans (e.g., 8D methodology), and preventive measures.

- Team management: Effectively lead and coach/mentor Supplier/Customer Quality Engineers.

- Audits and Compliance: Conduct on-site or virtual supplier audits to verify adherence to quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949) and contractual requirements. Support efforts to obtain ISO Certification.

- Collaboration: Work closely with project management, procurement, engineering, manufacturing, operations/field personnel and other internal teams to align supplier capabilities with product and customer requirements. Facilitate communication between suppliers, customers, and internal stakeholders.

- Continuous Improvement: Drive supplier development initiatives, such as Lean, Six Sigma, or other quality improvement programs, to enhance supplier performance and reduce defects. This includes identification of Value Engineering opportunities and manufacturing process improvements/efficiencies to support year over year productivity gains.

- Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of supplier quality data, audit reports, and corrective actions. Prepare reports for management on supplier performance and quality trends.

- Risk Management: Identify risks in the supply chain related to quality, capacity, or delivery disruptions and partner with respective Category managers to develop, publish, and monitor effectiveness of mitigate plans.

- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure suppliers comply with relevant industry standards, environmental regulations, and customer-specific requirements.

- Return Material Authorization: Develop, publish, and manage RMA process for defective supplier materials and ensure replacements are sent to the respective project sites.

- Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position

- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field) or equivalent experience.

- Experience: 5-7 years of experience in quality engineering, supplier quality management, or a related role within the solar/renewable energy sector.

- Skills:

- Strong knowledge of quality tools (e.g., Statistical Process Control, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, Root Cause Analysis).

- Familiarity with quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949).

- Proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, 8D, PPAP, APQP).

- Excellent communication and interpersonal communication skills for supplier and cross-functional collaboration. Ability to drive solutions/improvements and hold suppliers accountable for meeting commitments.

- Polished presentation skills; represent FLEXRACK in front of suppliers, customers, and Sr. level management.

- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and quality management software (e.g., Minitab, SAP, or similar).

- Preferred certifications include ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or equivalent.

- Willingness to travel to supplier sites and/or customer project sites (domestic or international) as needed, up to 30%.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with specific industry standards (e.g. automotive PPAP processes).

- Knowledge of supply chain management and procurement processes.

- Familiarity with advanced manufacturing processes (e.g., rolled steel, formed/stamped steel, laser cutting assembly, electro-mechanical devices).

- Prior experience with Solar Trackers, or at very least, strong familiarity with their functionality

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

- Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day

- Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk

- Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds

- Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations

- Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far

- Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors

- Travel: up to 30% as needed

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

- Regular professional, office business setting

- Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)

- Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)

- Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department

FLEXRACK by Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by FLEXRACK by Qcells are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, FLEXRACK by Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at hr-usa@qcells.com.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.