Supplier Development Quality Engineering

Company Overview

Coplas Inc. an affiliate of Tiercon Corp. is an automotive supplier committed to the design, manufacture and assembly of quality exterior trim and assembled systems used as original equipment in the automotive market. Headquartered in Sterling Heights Michigan, Coplas employs approximately 50 employees. Coplas is seeking knowledgeable, self‑directed, experienced and hardworking individuals interested in the automotive industry in Supplier Development Quality Engineering.

• Report directly to the Director of Engineering with a dotted line to the Corporate Quality Manager and Sr. Purchasing Manager.
• Works with all suppliers to continually develop their systems, processes and product in line with customer requirements and Tiercon/COPLAS expectations.
• Divisional APQP resource responsible for flawless execution of new product launches and process changes to existing products.
• The SDQ Engineer will be located in Sterling Heights, Michigan, but will lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) efforts across our Tiercon/COPLAS locations. To accomplish their goals, the role requires frequent and effective communication with our Stoney Creek, Ontario corporate team and with the operations, quality, and engineering personnel at our manufacturing facilities.
• There will be travel requirements to support Tiercon/COPLAS suppliers in the development process and related production issues.
• They will be responsible for ensuring the ongoing adherence to the policies and procedures outlined in the Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental Systems and encouraging continuous improvement wherever possible.

• Support the Quality and Engineering Managers from product launch through production and responsible for delivering all aspects of the supplier development and quality function.
  • Work in a team environment with suppliers to develop and implement best practices that emphasizes defect prevention, reduction in variation, waste, and provide for continuous improvements in meeting all customer requirements.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance.
  • Work with corporate purchasing team in the identification and development of new suppliers.
  • Work with business managers and corporate purchasing team to identify, track and close on commercial matters.
  • In conjunction with suppliers, conduct and/or review root cause analysis and provide corrective action feedback to suppliers on all supply and quality issues to minimize quality defects and prevent interruptions to Tiercon operations.
  • Work with all suppliers to ensure customer specific requirements and offer technical requirements are met or exceeded.
  • Help facilitate new product launches from the award of business to the successful completion of quality records (such as PPAP). Champion the PPAP and APQP process at the suppliers through new product launches to ensure quality standards and delivery performance expectations are met including but not limited to safe launch protocols.
  • Monitor suppliers through the run at rate process.
  • Gauge R&R, gauge design and development.
  • Develop project timelines for supplier APQP projects and ensure successful adherence to timelines.
  • Monitor product builds following new product launch to ensure continuity and improvement in supplier capability.
  • Prepare monthly summary of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the APQP process.
  • Provide guidance to the program team to achieve plant quality objectives.
  • Facilitate a transition from launch APQP to plant quality assurance.
  • Continuously improve the APQP process through enhancement of processes and procedures.
  • Attend industry functions, such as technology innovation seminars, and automotive trade shows.
• Work in operations and supply base to initialize and monitor third party containment where required.
• In conjunction with the quality managers and other SQEs, develop supplier audit criteria and reporting structure.
• Complete supplier audits, with supplier support and supplier advanced product quality planning (APQP). Some travel will be required.
• Participate in all internal quality related audits for Tiercon and Coplas.
• Prepare and present supplier performance metrics for product launch and ongoing quality performance.
• Schedules and facilitates monthly quality review of top 5 suppliers.
• Analyze supplier quality data to identify process improvement opportunities within the supply chain.
• Review supplier manufacturing processes; collaborate with suppliers on process improvement and value enhancement opportunities including but not limited to tack time, OEE, and capacity analysis.
• Manage the escalation of unresolved supplier quality issues within assigned projects and suppliers.
• Support the quality managers and quality engineers to monitor and report on supplier product performance.
• Participate in cross‑functional teams in the development of new products or changes related to current products in meeting customer…