Quality - Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Summary: Lead and direct supplier issues to closure, by facilitating appropriate teams and problem solving, and providing quality assurance to prevent future quality events   Essential Functions: · Primary interface with suppliers for plant-level quality issues · Coordinate, lead, and facilitate quality requests and verification audits in a timely manner · Maintain all related databases, tracking systems, and schedules for supplier quality issues, audits, process error proofing, and quality assurance · Complete and analyze/evaluate appropriate documentation has required, including tools such as Layered Process audits (LPA), General Procedures (GP), Quality Assurance Visit (QAV), Process Flow Diagrams, PDCA, 8Ds, 5Ps, Mind Maps, etc · Plan and conduct the analysis, inspection, testing requirements/procedure, and integration to assure the long-term quality of the assigned product or process at the supplier as it relates to recurrence, error-proofing, or lateral evolution · Champion continuous improvement efforts to assure continued supplier quality assurance · Ensure supplier compliance to latest TS/ISO/IATF and Nifco internal standards · Work closely with Corporate Supplier Development to ensure unity and clarity of supplier interface · Analyze and interpret drawings, data, manuals, and other materials to determine requirements, inspection/testing procedures, and path forward to resolve the issue · Coordination of sorting and containment activities (internal/external) · Promote a clear understanding of NAM supplier management system to suppliers · Cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships between NAM and our suppliers · Perform on-site quality audits to assess the ability of the supplier to meet NAM expectations, verify countermeasures, and participate in improvement activities · Support assigned NAM business units for supplied product, and act as liaison between plant and supplier for quality concerns · Serve customer’s needs relating to supplier produced products, including such areas as correspondence, quality issues, policy matters and/or any other concerns which may arise · Obtain RMA from supplier and process vendor debits · Review mass production PPAP from supply base · Perform internal and supplier countermeasure verification as required · Maintain a positive influence by behaving in a manner that enhances Nifco’s success · Position requires up to 50% travel · All other duties assigned by management     Education: Four-year degree or equivalent related experience.   Experience/Skills/Requirements: · 3-5 years related quality experience in an automotive/manufacturing environment · ASQ or equivalent certification or training (CQE, LSS Belt, etc.) · IATF certification for Internal or Lead auditor with documentation available · Must be able to facilitate and lead cross-functional teams and meetings · Must be able to understand and interpret part quality standards, drawings, and PPAP’s · Must be able to operate simple accounting functions and charge back suppliers · Proficient in Microsoft Office and creating/managing data, metrics, and presentations · Must have strong interpersonal skills and ability to express ideas and thoughts well · Must be able to travel for days at a time (internationally as required)   Please note this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties and responsibilities that are requires of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time or without notice.