Lead, Supplier Quality Engineer

The Lead Supplier Quality Engineer at Day & Zimmermann plays a critical leadership role within the Supplier Quality Team, specifically supporting the Lone Star division based in Texarkana, TX. This position is responsible for mentoring and guiding Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs), ensuring the team effectively monitors, evaluates, and improves supplier quality performance in alignment with organizational standards and government contracting requirements.

In this capacity, the Lead will oversee the implementation of quality assurance programs including process audits, Quality Management System (QMS) adherence, and source inspections, ensuring suppliers meet the stringent quality and delivery standards necessary to support Munitions & Government operations. By fostering a collaborative and metrics-driven environment, the Lead will elevate supplier relationships, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and help secure the timely delivery of compliant, high-quality products to meet critical program needs.

This leadership role requires strong project management and communication skills, a deep technical understanding of quality engineering principles, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams including purchasing and contracts. The successful candidate will contribute significantly to supplier development programs and play a vital role in maintaining Day & Zimmermann's reputation for excellence in supplier quality and operational reliability.

• Quality Manual Development & Team Leadership (25%): Lead the Supplier Quality Engineers in supporting the Quality Director by developing and maintaining the Supplier Quality Manual, ensuring that all suppliers adhere to established quality standards and protocols. Provide clear coaching and performance expectations to the team aimed at enhancing supplier communication, engagement, and continuous quality improvements.
• Supplier Corrective Action Program (25%): Design and implement an effective corrective action program that ensures rapid response and resolution to supplier quality issues. Track progress of open cases and verify corrective measures to prevent recurrence, guaranteeing that supplier concerns are promptly and adequately addressed.
• Supplier Performance Management (15%): Establish and maintain a comprehensive supplier quality rating system that objectively measures supplier performance metrics. Identify underperforming suppliers and collaborate with SQEs to develop improvement plans, while recognizing and leveraging high-performing suppliers to promote best practices.
• Audit and Compliance (15%): Plan and execute detailed internal and external supplier quality audits to verify compliance with product specifications, contractual requirements, and regulatory standards. Facilitate continuous compliance monitoring to mitigate quality risks.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration (15%): Partner closely with the purchasing department to develop streamlined processes for managing defective products and documentation. Ensure effective mechanisms are in place to control and track quality issues from identification through resolution.
• Supplier Development & Contract Support (5%): Lead initiatives to strengthen supplier development programs that ensure on-time delivery of quality products. Collaborate with contracts and purchasing to review and enhance contract language that supports timely receipt of compliant goods, safeguarding operational continuity and product integrity.

• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise with quality assurance tools and methodologies including statistical process control (SPC), control plans, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), and measurement system analysis (MSA).
• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong ability to perform root cause analysis and troubleshoot quality issues using systematic problem-solving approaches to identify defects and implement effective countermeasures.
• Quality Standards Knowledge: Familiarity with quality control processes, blueprint reading, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and Quality Management Systems (QMS) relevant to manufacturing and supplier quality.
• Communication & Writing: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical writing ability to produce clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, quality manuals, and supplier communications.
• Leadership and
  
  Coaching:
  
  Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, fostering a…