Careers at Stratosphere Quality

My career with SQ started as a team lead in September 2015. Within a year, I was promoted to project supervisor. Two years later, I promoted to customer service. Five years later, I returned after covid shutdown and filled in for what was then known as the PO position. Within two years of working this position, the PO department was created. Now, as of 2023 I am a Purchase Order Coordinator.

My favorite thing about SQ is the fact that no matter where you are within the company you are treated like family. Through all the obstacles I have encountered within my career, I have never had to face them alone. I will always treasure the time I have had with this company.

I joined Stratosphere in September 2023 as a Project Supervisor. Just a month into the role, our Project Manager decided to move on, and I was asked to step in temporarily. One year later, I was officially hired as the Project Manager—and what a journey it’s been.

When I first stepped into the role, our team in Texas had just six employees, including myself. By December 2023, we had grown to a team of 50. While we currently average around 30 team members daily, the consistent workflow and energy have never slowed down.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness the transformation and growth of our Texas operations. I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without the dedication and hard work of my amazing team. Their commitment has been instrumental in building something special here, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Here’s to continued growth and more milestones ahead!

I began my journey in production at the age of 18, accumulating six hand surgeries over the years. Eventually, the physical strain prompted me to transition out of line production. Turning to a local temp office, I discovered Stratosphere Quality and embraced the opportunity to work as a Quality Inspection Service temp. Despite my 26 years in production, the work at Stratosphere Quality felt refreshing, involving various quality checks and the use of different gauges and tools. After 480 hours as a temp, I eagerly converted to a full-time SQ employee, motivated by the impact my checks had on preventing defective parts from reaching customers.

What sets Stratosphere Quality apart is the sense of family and support within the company. As a Project Supervisor, I appreciate the camaraderie and open communication within the diverse team, working collaboratively toward shared goals. The company’s commitment to safety, well-being, and continuous learning is evident, with access to the LMS for ongoing training. Every project brings new challenges, and the sense of purpose in ensuring quality, like inspecting axles for broken welds, is personally fulfilling.

My journey includes promotions from DQI to SQ QI to Team Lead and eventually Project Supervisor. While the extra income matters, what truly matters is the autonomy to meet customers, provide excellent service within SQ’s guidelines, and share knowledge with the team. Notable achievements include forklift certification and successful project leadership. Despite challenges in the onboarding process, my transfer to the Lincolnton Region has solidified my sense of belonging and growth potential, guided by supportive supervision. Looking ahead, my goal is to become a PS2, a testament to the continuous journey of learning and advancement at Stratosphere Quality.

I initially joined Stratosphere Quality as a Temporary Associate in 2018 through an agency, working in various locations of SPS for three years. The decision to join Stratosphere Quality directly stemmed from the enticing prospect of career growth and the opportunity to enhance my professional skills. The dynamic and challenging nature of the job, which exposes me to different situations daily, has significantly boosted my confidence and sharpened my problem-solving abilities.

In my role, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with a diverse range of customers across different locations, fulfilling my enjoyment of communicating with various people. As a Project Supervisor, I’ve delved into new processes, expanding my understanding of business and warehouse operations.

Starting as a General Associate, I swiftly progressed to the role of Team Leader within a month. After eight months in that position, I earned a promotion to Project Supervisor. Currently, I am stationed at Simcoe Parts Service, contributing to Honda’s parts supply chain. Managing a team that supports SPS by providing adequate manpower according to demand, I oversee associates in eight different plants, engaging in diverse roles such as operating forklifts and tuggers. The varied projects at SPS continually expose me to new processes and deepen my knowledge of automotive manufacturing. Stratosphere Quality has proven to be an excellent workplace, offering continual learning opportunities and a supportive environment.

I chose to join Stratosphere for several compelling reasons. Firstly, the diversity within the organization keeps every project exciting and challenging. Working on various tasks, from handling car parts to inspecting different automobile components, ensures that each day brings something new and interesting. Secondly, the supportive management at SQ has been crucial to my professional journey. Whether dealing with work-related matters or personal issues, the management has consistently backed me up, providing encouragement for continuous improvement. Another appealing aspect is the opportunity to travel to different locations across Ontario, and as a Supervisor, I even had the chance to travel to the USA multiple times.

My current role as Site Operations Manager at the Chep plant is immensely fulfilling. The challenge of elevating our plant to the next level, maintaining its status as the No. #1 production plant (awarded last year), and the safest plant in North America among all Chep facilities is a significant and enjoyable undertaking. Additionally, contributing to the growth of fellow employees and witnessing their development is a source of pride, as I’ve been able to nurture their leadership skills.

Reflecting on my journey at SQ, I’ve experienced significant promotions, starting as an Agency Quality Inspector in 2015 and progressing to SQ Quality Inspector, Team Leader, Project Supervisor, SQ Production Supervisor Chep, and ultimately, Site Operations Manager in 2022. Each promotion has been a result of hard work, dedication, and the constant support of the management team. I am grateful for the opportunities provided by Stratosphere and am eager to continue contributing to the company’s success.

I started at Stratosphere Quality as a temporary employee in October 2020. I was hired full-time on March 01, 2021, as a Quality Inspector. About 5 months in, my Supervisor started giving me more tasks. In August, I received an opportunity to advance to Team Leader. I started more in-depth training with work instructions, PPR, 2-minute 360, and rosters. By December I officially became a Team Leader.

I like the variation of projects that come through the gate. There are always new challenges resulting in new opportunities to learn. If you’re willing to do the work, there is always room to advance at SQ.

Always keep communication open with your Supervisors about your willingness to learn and advance. They are great at working with you and helping you along the way. They understand that there is a lot to learn and are very patient with training and answering questions.

I began working for Stratosphere Quality in October 2017. I interviewed in January 2018 for the Team Lead position with two other Inspectors who had more experience than I did.

In June 2018, I was promoted to Team Lead. I was able to be trained by great Supervisors and Team Leads. I learned there is never a stupid question. The faith that my team had in me when I got the position was a big help with getting where I am. I ran multiple projects from one location and did an excellent job of being in multiple places at once.

It was November 2019 when I was promoted to Project Supervisor. When I got the call about a three-shift project, I was informed this may be my opportunity for this promotion. I worked so many hours on this project to make sure that it ran smoothly. This project and the help and training from the right people gave me the confidence to be the Project Supervisor I am today.

I started as a DQI in December 2012 and was hired full-time 3 months later. I was then promoted to Team Leader and then Project Supervisor, all within 5 months. I am currently training as a Quality Technician.

If you are willing to work hard and follow processes, there is always an opportunity to move up and grow within the organization.

The work is rewarding and a different challenge every day.

I started with Stratosphere Quality as a temporary associate in September 2012 and was hired as a full-time associate in December of that year.

Since then, I have worked my way up within the company. I am now a Project Supervisor with over 50 people that I supervise.

I enjoy that every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow.