Quality Engineer

Supplier Quality Engineer

The Supplier Quality Engineer provides ongoing support to the business by driving supplier development and improvement activities aligned with corporate quality metrics. This role works closely with Materials/Purchasing, Sourcing, Branch Operations, and Quality Assurance teams to ensure suppliers meet stringent quality standards across multiple industries. The position focuses on auditing and developing suppliers, resolving customer concerns, and supporting new product introductions while maintaining robust quality systems and processes.

• Conduct comprehensive audits and evaluations for new and existing suppliers to ensure compliance with quality requirements.
• Review and assess self-assessments submitted by potential suppliers and determine their suitability.
• Visit supplier facilities to evaluate their quality systems, processes, and capabilities.
• Complete formal supplier audits, document findings, and communicate results to relevant stakeholders.
• Issue supplier corrective actions based on audit findings and performance issues, and follow up to ensure timely and effective closure.
• Participate in customer audits of suppliers, representing the organization's quality interests and ensuring supplier readiness.
• Issue monthly supplier performance scorecards and communicate results to suppliers and internal teams.
• Monitor supplier performance, identify trends, and determine areas for improvement in supply quality and delivery performance.
• Perform on-site audits for poor-performing or critical suppliers and develop targeted improvement plans.
• Develop and implement action plans to improve the quality performance of identified suppliers.
• Review and approve Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions when suppliers initiate changes.
• Provide aging reports for quality rejections by branch, supplier, reason code, and associated costs.
• Assist the Quality Assurance team in processing and resolving customer concerns in a timely and effective manner.
• Provide technical support to the organization in new product introduction, ensuring quality requirements are defined and met.
• Support operational excellence initiatives and contribute to continuous improvement in quality processes.
• Apply appropriate quality assurance and improvement methodologies, including structured problem-solving tools.
• Continuously upgrade personal skills and knowledge to improve effectiveness and stay current with industry practices.
• Provide training and guidance to less experienced or less skilled personnel on quality tools, processes, and standards.
• Work closely with key customers to understand issues at the plant level and develop effective solutions.
• Engage directly with major customers in automotive and heavy truck sectors to address quality concerns and drive corrective actions.
• Lead or support corrective action activities that may function as mini Six Sigma projects to address recurring issues.
• Spend significant time on the shop floor and in the laboratory, investigating and resolving quality problems and issues.
• Perform hands-on work in the lab using gauges, inspection tools, and testing equipment to validate product quality.
• Visit domestic suppliers regularly, with travel typically ranging from approximately 10% to 20% depending on project needs.
• Apply Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) frameworks and related tools such as PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, and GD&T in supplier and product development activities.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in quality engineering, supplier quality, or a closely related quality-focused role.
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 quality standards and familiarity with IATF requirements.
• Certification in auditing and demonstrated experience conducting quality system and process audits.
• Proficiency in APQP and PPAP, including the ability to review, approve, and provide training on these processes to suppliers.
• Hands-on experience with corrective action and continuous improvement processes, including 8D, 5 Why, and fishbone (Ishikawa) analysis.
• Familiarity with various manufacturing processes and their impact on product quality.
• Knowledge of material testing and evaluation procedures to assess product conformance.
• Experience with gauging and inspection methods, including the use of precision measurement tools.
• Ability to interpret and apply PFMEA, control plans, and GD&T within supplier and product quality contexts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured approach to root cause analysis.
• Effective communication skills to interact with suppliers, internal teams, and customers at multiple levels.
• Ability to work hands-on in laboratory and shop-floor environments to investigate and resolve issues.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically approximately 10% to 20% of the time, depending on project demands.

• Exposure to the automotive and/or heavy truck industry, including familiarity with…