Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description

This role is ideal for someone experienced in Supplier Quality Engineering with strong skills in manufacturing and mechanical commodities. You will lead supplier quality and supply chain initiatives across custom machining, mechanical fabrication, mechanical assemblies, metal distribution, and custom sheet metal. You will work in a fast-paced environment where multitasking is essential and clear written and verbal communication is critical. The position focuses on supplier selection and management, supply chain optimization, and support of new product development while driving continuous improvement in quality, service, cost, safety, and integrity.

Responsibilities

* Serve as the Supplier Engineer for mechanical commodities, focusing on supplier quality and supply chain performance.

* Lead supplier selection and ongoing supplier management for assigned mechanical commodities.

* Define, communicate, and track annual improvement objectives for key suppliers, monitoring performance against agreed metrics.

* Ensure suppliers consistently meet defined quality standards and drive corrective and preventive actions when needed.

* Develop and implement supply chain programs that improve inventory turns, reduce stock-outs, and enable flexible response to changing customer demands.

* Prepare and execute commodity strategies aimed at reducing the supply base while effectively identifying and managing supply risks.

* Support new product development engineering teams by identifying and developing qualified sources for components that meet engineering specifications.

* Identify new components and suppliers that meet technical, quality, and commercial requirements, and negotiate pricing and customer flow-down requirements.

* Prepare supplier agreements with key suppliers, including terms for quality, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement expectations.

* Lead commercial and contractual negotiations with suppliers and implement projects for assigned commodities.

* Develop and maintain a preferred supplier list for each commodity, ensuring alignment with organizational sourcing strategies.

* Categorize assigned suppliers as Grow, Maintain, or Rationalize, and develop and execute associated plans for each category.

* Monitor key supplier metrics including quality, service (including delivery performance), and cost, ensuring all activities align with supplier safety and integrity expectations.

* Build and maintain strong working relationships with Engineering, Sales, Operations, and other functional leaders to support and lead cross-functional project teams.

* Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to align supplier strategies with product, operations, and customer requirements.

* Communicate supplier-related activities, issues, and improvement plans clearly and effectively to both suppliers and internal customers.

* Apply quality engineering principles, including root cause analysis and corrective action, to resolve supplier quality issues.

* Drive measurable year-over-year savings and improvements in direct spend through strategic sourcing and continuous improvement initiatives.

* Leverage Lean principles to drive process improvements within supplier quality and supply chain operations.

Essential Skills

* Minimum of 7 years of experience in supply chain operations within an industrial or commercial manufacturing environment.

* At least 2 years of experience in engineering logistics.

* Proven experience in supplier quality and quality engineering within a manufacturing setting.

* Strong understanding of mechanical components and mechanical commodities, including custom machining, mechanical fabrication, mechanical assemblies, metal distribution, and custom sheet metal.

* Demonstrated experience in sourcing contract administration and negotiation.

* Experience in establishing and implementing strategic commodity plans for world-class sourcing of manufactured parts, preferably mechanical commodities.

* Experience supporting operations that produce highly engineered mechanical product lines.

* History of managing direct spend with measurable improvements in year-over-year cost savings.

* Strong technical and…