Supplier Quality Engineer

Overview

The TSUBAKI name is synonymous with excellence in quality, dependability, and customer service. U.S. Tsubaki Automotive, LLC is an international tier-one supplier of high-speed chain drive systems to the automotive industry.

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) works directly with Tier Two suppliers to ensure compliance with Quality System requirements and to drive continuous improvement across the supply base. This role performs supplier audits, leads corrective action activities, and evaluates supplier performance against established standards. The SQE coordinates closely with Manufacturing and Quality Assurance on issues impacting daily production and new product launches and is responsible for day to day Supplier Quality and Packaging Engineering functions.

• Develop Supplier Quality expectations aligned with IATF 16949 (and related customer-specific) requirements.
• Review supplier compliance with Quality System standards and document supplier performance using established metrics and reporting tools.
• Build process expertise for supplier operations, with a focus on critical commodities such as powdered metals, plastics, aluminum die casting, and cast iron.
• Monitor and report occurrences related to supply base non conformities and drive effective containment, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 20–30 automotive Tier Two suppliers while continuously strengthening relationships between U.S. Tsubaki Automotive (USTA) and the supply base.
• Plan, conduct, and document periodic supplier audits based on risk (high, medium, low) and follow up to verify completion and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Manage, maintain, and improve the USTA Supplier Development and Monitoring scoring system to ensure alignment with performance expectations and customer requirements.
• Track, record, and ensure closure of corrective actions, including those associated with official OEM complaints, SCARs, and other formal customer notifications.
• Develop strong, collaborative relationships and clear lines of communication with Tier Two suppliers, emphasizing a partnership approach rather than a transactional customer–supplier mindset.
• Coordinate internal packaging requirements and maintain data within customer packaging databases and portals.
• Create and maintain packaging work instructions, and coordinate packaging trials with internal departments and customers to validate functionality, quality, and logistics requirements.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams (Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics) to address supplier-related issues and support new product introductions, engineering changes, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Utilize quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, SPC) to prevent quality issues and proactively improve supplier process capability and performance.
• Lead and/or support continuous improvement projects with suppliers to reduce variation, improve quality, and lower the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
• Prepare and deliver reports, presentations, and status updates regarding supplier performance, audit results, and improvement activities to management and cross functional stakeholders.
• Other tasks, functions and projects as assigned.
• Travel domestically up to 50%, with volume fluctuating based on project and supplier needs; occasional international travel may be required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; ASQ CQE certification preferred.
• Master’s degree in Engineering or Supply Chain desirable.
• 3–7 years of experience in supplier quality, packaging engineering, or manufacturing quality.
• Experience working directly with Tier One/Tier Two suppliers strongly preferred.
• Leadership experience (formal or informal) in driving cross functional problem solving and supplier development is preferred.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles, project management, and ISO/IATF quality management system procedures is strongly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience with APQP, PPAP, control plans, and process validation in a production environment.
• Experience working directly with Tier One or Tier Two automotive suppliers is a plus.
• Profi…