Supplier Quality Engineer – Wholegoods

Great Plains Manufacturing is seeking a proven subject matter expert to join our team as a Supplier Quality Engineer for Wholegoods. This position will work closely with the sourcing group on all Great Plains Mfg products. They will be responsible for driving quality improvement initiatives on current and new purchased components for all GPM facilities. They will be challenged to find problems, analyze and determine the root cause, and provide solutions. This position will report to the Supplier Quality Engineering Manager.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Travel outside of Kansas 20%.
• Travel inside of Kansas (i.e. day trips to suppliers) 50%.
• Lead supplier quality audits to ensure compliance with quality standards.
• Lead PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) activities from a technical perspective.
• Escalate unresolved quality issues as appropriate to facilitate resolution at suppliers.
• Develop and maintain strong relationship with suppliers while focusing on the improvement of product quality.
• Prepare process/product reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Identify opportunity and necessity for internally designed Quality Check fixtures. 
• Maintain and report Supplier Scorecards.
• Recommend new or enhanced methods, procedures and standards.
• Support the development of New Product Engineering Test Plan and monitor the compliance of the plan related to critical suppliers.
• Participate in FMEAs (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), design reviews, and other New Product Introduction activities.
• Lead advanced problem-solving activities.
• Follow all Great Plains and OSHA safety regulations and wear prescribed safety and protective equipment.
• Other duties may be assigned that require other qualifications, physical demands, and/or work environment.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Minimum of 3 years' experience working within a manufacturing facility as a part of an engineering or operations department
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)
• Strong analytical, organizational, planning skills
• Must be very detail oriented
• Agriculture, Construction or Heavy equipment experience preferred
• Excellent problem solver with a proven ability to provide effective solutions 
• Experience with precision measuring tools
• Strong interpersonal and mechanical problem-solving skills
• Proven experience in project management is a plus
• Excellent Problem-Solving Skills
• Demonstrated self-starter with the ability to work with little oversight
• Proven ability to establish and manage relationships at all levels of the organization; including the most senior levels
• Experience in leading quality improvement initiatives across cross functional teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint)
• Experience in 3D modeling software (i.e. Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor)

At Great Plains Manufacturing, our people make the difference, making our company a great place to work and grow. If you are self-motivated, have a passion to succeed and value teamwork, we invite you to apply to join our team. For over 45 years, Great Plains Mfg, has been known as a world-class manufacturer of agriculture, farm and landscaping equipment in Central Kansas. Now a Kubota company, we have recently added a new construction equipment division. With over 2,300 dedicated employees, Great Plains Manufacturing continues its dedication toward innovation and professional growth, while maintaining our family culture and community values. Grow with us! Visit our Careers page at www.WorkForGPM.com.