IT Quality Engineering Lead

Johnstone Supply LLC•Portland, OR

About The Position

As a member of the Enterprise Applications team, the Quality Engineering (QE) Lead is responsible for establishing and leading a centralized Quality Assurance function to ensure consistent, reliable, and business‑aligned testing across the COS delivery program. This role defines the QA strategy, standards, and governance model, including entry and exit criteria, defect management, test planning, automation approach, and readiness reporting. The QE Lead will build the foundation for how quality is measured, evidenced, and communicated across D365, eCommerce, and integrated systems. They will ensure testing is embedded within the delivery lifecycle - from requirements and design validation through go‑live and hypercare - while providing Johnstone and business leadership with a clear, evidence‑based view of release readiness and risk. This role balances centralized QA ownership with a blended testing model, partnering with BPOs, SMEs, and superusers to keep testing grounded in real branch and back‑office operations. The QE Lead will introduce pragmatic test automation focused on stable smoke and regression coverage to accelerate releases without creating unnecessary maintenance overhead. They will provide day‑to‑day functional leadership and supervision for QA Analysts assigned to the program, directing testing activities, priorities, and standards across the delivery lifecycle. Additionally, the QE Lead will mentor and coach QA Analysts, provide input into performance feedback, support skill development, and foster a consistent quality mindset across the team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
6–8+ years of progressive Quality Assurance experience, including testing of enterprise platforms such as ERP, eCommerce, and integrated business systems.
Demonstrated experience establishing or maturing QA practices in a growing, transforming, or greenfield delivery environment.
Experience supporting complex, multi‑phase delivery programs with multiple releases and cross‑functional stakeholders.
Strong understanding of QA methodologies, including risk‑based testing, functional testing, regression testing, integration testing, and end‑to‑end business validation.
Hands‑on experience using test management and defect tracking tools, preferably Azure DevOps (ADO) or comparable ALM platforms.
Working knowledge of test automation concepts, frameworks, and tooling, with the ability to identify appropriate candidates for automation versus manual testing.
Experience testing complex business workflows and integrations across ERP, eCommerce, and related systems.
Ability to define and maintain test evidence, traceability, and reporting artifacts to support auditability and release readiness.
Proven ability to integrate testing into the full delivery lifecycle, including requirements and design validation, build verification, UAT, cutover rehearsal, and go‑live support.
Strong understanding of defect governance, including triage, prioritization, escalation, and trend analysis.
Experience working within Agile or PI‑based delivery models, coordinating testing activities with evolving scope and schedules.
Ability to design and enforce entry and exit criteria that balance quality, risk, and delivery timelines.
Familiarity with business‑driven testing models that align technical validation with operational readiness.

Nice To Haves

QA or testing certifications (e.g., ISTQB or equivalent) are preferred.
Agile, SAFe, or delivery framework certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

Establishing and leading a centralized Quality Assurance function to ensure consistent, reliable, and business‑aligned testing across the COS delivery program.
Defines the QA strategy, standards, and governance model, including entry and exit criteria, defect management, test planning, automation approach, and readiness reporting.
Builds the foundation for how quality is measured, evidenced, and communicated across D365, eCommerce, and integrated systems.
Ensures testing is embedded within the delivery lifecycle - from requirements and design validation through go‑live and hypercare - while providing Johnstone and business leadership with a clear, evidence‑based view of release readiness and risk.
Balances centralized QA ownership with a blended testing model, partnering with BPOs, SMEs, and superusers to keep testing grounded in real branch and back‑office operations.
Introduces pragmatic test automation focused on stable smoke and regression coverage to accelerate releases without creating unnecessary maintenance overhead.
Provides day‑to‑day functional leadership and supervision for QA Analysts assigned to the program, directing testing activities, priorities, and standards across the delivery lifecycle.
Mentors and coaches QA Analysts, provides input into performance feedback, supports skill development, and fosters a consistent quality mindset across the team.

Benefits

Competitive wage
Medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Options for supplemental care
Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO)
Safe Harbor 401(k) – 100% employer match up to 5% of base pay and immediate vesting
Holiday pay – we recognize and pay our employees for 7.5 holidays per year
Paid Parental Bonding Time
Employer subsidized medical, dental, and vision plans
Employer paid life insurance and short-term disability
Voluntary long-term disability, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
24/7 Access to virtual care/telehealth options
Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
Wellbeing program with opportunity to earn reduced medical costs
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you, and your family
Tuition reimbursement
Employee referral bonus program
Employee service milestone recognition program