Supplier Development Quality Engineer

Focuses on ensuring the quality of materials and components supplied by vendors, working to identify and resolve quality issues, and driving continuous improvement within the supply chain.

Ability to perform supplier assessments evaluating the supplier’s capability to meet all design, quality, and delivery requirements.

Communicate assessment report to the organization providing a full picture of the supplier for selection / evaluation decisions.

Assess products and supplies from vendors to ensure they meet quality standards and specifications including Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) review and communication of status.

Responsible for incoming receiving inspection activities, including maintaining performance metrics for each supplier and communicating any issues found with a corrective action request (if required).

Conduct audits of supplier facilities and processes to ensure compliance with quality standards (IATF 16949, ISO 9001), and regulatory requirements (ISO 14001).

Responsible for leading corrective actions for all supplier issues.

Communicate issues and report on the progress between the supplier and the organization.

Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, acting as a liaison between the company and its vendors.

Track supplier improvement activities through use of FMEA high risk reduction.

Analyze supplier performance data to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Maintain performance scorecards for each supplier on quality and delivery.

Drive actions to improve performance.

Provide training to suppliers on quality assurance procedures and protocols, when necessary.

QMS (Quality Management Systems):It is essential to comprehend and have experience with QMS standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, or other pertinent certifications. Documentation and compliance standards need to be familiar to you. You must be able to conduct thorough audits of the suppliers’ systems.

Technical knowledge: Technical Knowledge can include understanding of materials, production techniques, or product design. Understanding engineering drawings and technical standards is crucial.

Problem-Solving Ability: Excellent analytical ability to recognize, evaluate, and fix quality-related problems. This covers methods for root cause analysis such as 8D, Fishbone diagrams, and the Five Whys.

Statistical Analysis: Expertise in using statistical tools and techniques, such as Control Charts, Design of Experiments (DOE), and Statistical Process Control (SPC), to analyze high-quality data.

Communication Skills:Interacting with vendors, internal teams, and stakeholders requires effective communication. You must negotiate solutions, give feedback, and express quality expectations in an easy-to-understand way.

Project Management:Proficiency in project management, encompassing the strategic development, implementation, and oversight of supplier quality enhancement programs.

Paying close attention to details:Being exact while assessing procedures, carrying out quality checks, and examining data to guarantee compliance with guidelines and requirements.

Technical writing:The capacity to clearly and concisely generate and assess high-quality documentation, such as reports, processes, and corrective action plans.

Software Proficiency:Working knowledge of ERP programs, quality management software, and data analysis tools like Minitab, Microsoft Excel, and the like.

Continuous Improvement:The application of concepts and techniques from continuous improvement, such as Kaizen, Six Sigma, and Lean, to increase quality through risk reduction.

Education: Bachelor’s in Engineering related field preferred but not required.

Travel: Required supplier assembly plant and headquarter visits for both courtesy and quality issues to complete audits, inspections, and corrective action follow-up. Possibly to include international destinations.