Supplier Quality Engineer

STS Technical Services is hiring a Supplier Quality Engineer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This role supports a growing manufacturing client and is focused on strengthening supplier performance, reducing quality escapes, and driving process-based quality improvements across the supply chain. If you know how to hold suppliers accountable while building real partnerships, this is where you make an impact.

Our client is a growing manufacturing company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is seeking a motivated Supplier Quality Engineer to join their team. This role is ideal for someone enthusiastic about Supplier Quality and experienced in working collaboratively with suppliers, internal production teams, and purchasing or supply chain groups. The Supplier Quality Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring smooth operations with minimal quality escapes by utilizing process-based thinking and risk mitigation strategies.

• Receiving Inspection:
  Develop and implement a robust Receiving Inspection plan based on supplier quality performance, part and process criticality, and risk. Utilize statistical sampling plans as needed.
• Supplier Audits and
  
  Qualifications:
  
  Lead on-site audits and evaluate suppliers on their manufacturing and supporting processes to ensure adherence to ISO 9001 quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Supplier Performance Monitoring:
  Review and implement supplier performance monitoring processes in collaboration with Purchasing. Analyze trends in supplier quality escapes and recommend improvement plans to enhance supplier performance.
• Problem Solving:
  Collaborate with suppliers to investigate and resolve quality issues. Lead resolution of complex issues using advanced problem‑solving tools to identify root causes and implement effective preventive measures, including design and process improvements.
• Supplier Quality PPM and DPU Improvement:
  Provide quality support for operations by working closely with production teams to address supplier‑related issues. Formalize data collection on supplier defects and drive improvement initiatives.
• Supplier Process Validation:
  Lead supplier process validation activities including FAI, PPAP, and Gage R&R to support APQP and ensure product consistency.
• Industry Trends and Innovation:
  Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies and provide recommendations to leadership based on new insights.
• Compliance:
  Understand and comply with all applicable company policies and rules.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a similar technical field with 5 years of experience in quality engineering focused on supplier quality within manufacturing, or an associate degree with 10 years of experience.
• Knowledge of quality tools such as APQP, FMEA, Control Plan, Gage R&R, CTQ, SPC, 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone Analysis, Pareto, and control charts is a plus.
• Experience in sheet metal fabrication, welding, paint, and electrical or mechanical assembly processes is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data analysis tools including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Minitab, Power BI, or similar. Experience with ERP systems such as Epicor and SharePoint is a plus.
• Certification such as CQE or Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt is a plus.
• Fluent in English; additional languages such as Spanish are an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build trust, resolve conflict, and foster collaboration across diverse teams.
• Effective communication skills including written, verbal, listening, and presentation abilities. Ability to engage stakeholders outside the quality function in a technical capacity.
• Estimated travel to supplier locations: 20 to 25 percent.

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• A collaborative and innovative work environment
• The chance to make a meaningful impact on product quality and customer satisfaction

• Manufacturing and office environment with the ability to operate standard office equipment