Quality Engineer / Continuous Improvement Facilitator

UFP Industries•Buffalo, NY

4d•$70,000 - $80,000

About The Position

Deckorators, a brand of UFP Industries, is a leader in composite decking, railing, and outdoor living products. Our Buffalo, New York plant is the newest and flagship facility utilizing our proven and growing Surestone technology. This state-of-the-art extrusion and polymer manufacturing site will play a major role in advancing our innovation, driving continuous improvement, and scaling our capacity to serve customers nationwide. Job Summary The Quality Engineer / Continuous Improvement Facilitator is responsible for driving product and process quality, leading continuous improvement (CI) activities, and supporting a culture of operational excellence at the Buffalo flagship plant. This role combines traditional quality engineering responsibilities (inspection methods, data analysis, calibration, validation, supplier quality, and corrective actions) with hands-on CI facilitation (Kaizen, VSM, 5S, and waste reduction projects). The Quality Engineer / CI Facilitator will partner closely with Operations, Process Engineering, Maintenance, and Leadership to ensure our extrusion and polymer processes consistently meet Deckorators’ standards for safety, quality, and efficiency.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Quality, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline required; Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred.
2–3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (building materials, plastics, extrusion, continuous process, or similar industry preferred).
Experience in a lean manufacturing or CI-focused environment (exposure to 5S, Kaizen, VSM, standard work, etc.).
Hands-on experience with Lean Manufacturing and CI tools such as 5S, value stream mapping, Kaizen, root cause analysis (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone), and CAPA.
Strong technical knowledge of quality systems and manufacturing processes; familiarity with continuous process environments is a plus.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Experience with data collection, analysis, basic statistics, and creating clear, actionable reports.
Ability to develop and maintain work instructions, standard work, and visual controls.
Strong attention to detail and a process-focused mindset.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills; able to influence without direct authority.
Comfortable teaching, coaching, and presenting CI and quality concepts to frontline employees and leaders.
Self-driven, highly motivated, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Team-oriented and aligned with company goals; maintains professionalism in all interactions.

Responsibilities

Provide technical support to ensure manufacturing processes and final products meet internal and external quality standards.
Perform quality inspections, analyze quality data, and implement quality control plans.
Organize and manage calibration of equipment, gauges, and measurement devices.
Lead or support validation activities by planning, scheduling, executing, and tracking progress.
Monitor systems performance and maintain documentation to ensure stable and capable operations.
Develop, update, and maintain Work Instructions (WI) and quality-related documentation; train team members on quality tools and analysis methods.
Manage day-to-day quality lab activities and testing processes.
Implement proactive quality strategies to move from reactive to preventive quality management (e.g., SPC, trend analysis, early-warning indicators).
Support root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), internal audits, and customer or third-party audits.
Monitor supplier quality performance; coordinate activities related to non-conforming materials and supplier corrective actions.
Prepare regular and special quality reports as required.
Establish and help build the plant’s Continuous Improvement (CI) team and culture.
Coordinate the activities of the site’s Lean/CI initiatives in partnership with plant leadership.
Evaluate operations to identify waste, variation, and bottlenecks; prioritize opportunities for improvement.
Facilitate CI events such as value stream mapping (VSM), Kaizen activities, 5S, and standard work initiatives.
Develop, implement, and sustain solutions to reduce waste, improve performance, and increase throughput and OEE.
Document and standardize improvements into procedures, standard work, and visual controls.
Teach, coach, and mentor employees at all levels in Lean/CI tools, problem-solving, and basic manufacturing principles.
Develop programs and engagement activities that encourage employee involvement and idea generation for continuous improvement.
Stay current on CI and quality best practices; attend trainings/seminars as needed and share key learnings with the plant team.
Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality teams to support projects and plant initiatives.
Support the Quality Manager and Plant Leadership in driving a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Communicate clearly and regularly with stakeholders on project status, risks, and results.
Participate in safety programs and ensure CI and quality activities align with safety standards and company policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.