Supplier Quality Engineer

The Supplier Quality Engineer oversees and improves supplier quality performance for direct material suppliers at an assigned site. This role manages the supplier corrective action process, collaborates closely with suppliers and internal teams, and drives continuous improvement initiatives using proven quality and manufacturing methodologies. The position serves as a key technical resource for quality-related matters, supports product launch activities, and may coach and mentor less experienced team members.

• Manage the supplier corrective action process at the assigned site, including containment, interim corrective actions, and identification of assignable causes.
• Lead or support the development of permanent corrective actions and provide process oversight and guidance to ensure effective resolution of supplier issues.
• Support and influence Production Parts Approval Process (PPAP) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes to ensure robust supplier quality planning and execution.
• Serve as a quality technical resource to other functional areas, providing expertise and guidance on supplier quality issues and improvement opportunities.
• Support and/or lead quality audits at the assigned site, ensuring adherence to established quality standards and procedures.
• Drive and lead the prioritization of continuous improvement efforts with cross-functional business partners to reduce defects using methodologies such as lean manufacturing, six sigma, A3, 7-step problem solving, Intelligent Quality Tools & Methods, and AIAG core tools.
• Design onsite Values Package Introduction (VPI) product launch plans and support or lead onsite launch activities to ensure quality requirements are met.
• Measure supplier quality performance for all direct material suppliers at the assigned site according to established procedures and collaborate with suppliers to identify and implement improvements to meet established targets.
• Present corrective action findings, analyses, and improvement plans to customers in a clear and professional manner.
• Hold suppliers accountable for meeting quality expectations, implementing corrective actions, and achieving agreed-upon performance targets.
• Coach and mentor less experienced team members in quality practices, tools, and methodologies, and may manage and develop others as needed.
• Effectively prioritize and manage a large volume of corrective actions in the queue, ensuring timely and thorough resolution.
• Strong experience in supplier quality engineering, including managing supplier corrective actions and driving quality improvements.
• Ability to lead containment activities, interim corrective actions, and root cause identification for supplier-related issues.
• Experience supporting or influencing PPAP (Production Parts Approval Process) and APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) processes.
• Proficiency with continuous improvement and quality methodologies such as lean manufacturing, six sigma, A3, 7-step problem solving, Intelligent Quality Tools & Methods, and AIAG core tools.
• Strong communication skills for working with suppliers, internal teams, and customers, including presenting corrective action information and quality performance data.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, including the ability to handle complex situations and manage a large number of corrective actions simultaneously.
• Ability to hold suppliers accountable for quality performance and corrective action implementation.
• Capability to serve as a technical quality resource for cross-functional teams.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and potentially manage less experienced team members in quality practices.

• Experience supporting or leading quality audits at manufacturing or supplier sites.
• Familiarity with measuring and analyzing supplier quality performance metrics and trends.
• Experience designing and executing product launch plans, particularly related to Values Package Introduction (VPI) or similar initiatives.
• Comfort presenting technical and quality-related information to customers and stakeholders.
• Background working with multiple suppliers and clients in a fast-paced environment with numerous open corrective actions.