Supplier Quality Engineer

The Supplier Quality Engineer at Day & Zimmermann plays a critical role in ensuring that suppliers deliver products and services of the highest quality that meet or exceed stringent specifications, drawings, and contractual requirements. This position involves extensive collaboration with cross‑functional teams including Purchasing, Quality Engineering, and Receiving Inspection to drive continuous improvement and risk mitigation throughout the supply chain. The individual in this role will conduct thorough assessments of supplier processes, implement corrective action programs, and develop supplier capabilities, all while maintaining a keen focus on compliance and customer satisfaction.

This dynamic role requires a proactive approach to quality assurance and supplier development within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will possess strong analytical skills to evaluate supplier performance data, identify potential risks, and implement effective solutions in partnership with suppliers and internal stakeholders. This position offers the opportunity to influence supplier quality strategies that directly impact operational excellence and cost‑efficiency at Day & Zimmermann.

• Lead and execute comprehensive supplier quality audits, assessing compliance with Quality System requirements, process capabilities, and risk management strategies, including the application of Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies relevant to Longhorn Systems (LS) and Keystone Systems (KS) products. (Approximately 25% of role)
• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective Supplier Corrective Action Program to ensure timely resolution of quality issues through root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action plans that support supplier continuous improvement. (Approximately 15%)
• Drive supplier development initiatives to ensure consistent delivery of high‑quality products on schedule while optimizing cost, collaborating closely with suppliers to clearly communicate product and service specifications, inspection methods, and documentation requirements. (Approximately 20%)
• Coordinate and oversee supplier submissions related to product qualification plans (such as First Article Acceptance Test (FAAT)) and Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) documentation, ensuring all validation processes are executed efficiently. (Approximately 15%)
• Provide expert guidance to Receiving Inspection teams regarding inspection techniques and supplier documentation verification. Partner with Purchasing to streamline processes preventing defective product receipt and eliminating documentation errors or omissions. (Approximately 15%)
• Support the establishment and refinement of a supplier quality rating system to systematically monitor supplier adherence to quality, delivery, and responsiveness metrics, fostering transparency and accountability in supplier performance management. (Approximately 10%)

• Comprehensive understanding of Supply Chain Management principles, including risk assessment and mitigation strategies to ensure supplier reliability and compliance with contractual obligations.
• Proficiency in reviewing supplier contracts and agreements, articulating clear and measurable quality expectations to suppliers, and fostering collaborative supplier relationships that encourage openness and continuous improvement.
• Expertise in applying quality assurance tools such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) and other relevant statistical techniques to evaluate and monitor manufacturing processes, with the ability to train and support suppliers in these methodologies.
• Strong technical aptitude to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and…