Supplier Quality Engineer

Primary Purpose:

The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring that the products and services supplied by external vendors align with the Quality Management System and Quality Policy, and also meet the company's quality standards and requirements. This role involves selecting, developing, implementing, and managing supplier quality processes, conducting audits, and collaborating closely with suppliers to drive continuous improvement. Also responsible for ensuring that suppliers continue to develop and implement best practices that emphasize defect prevention, reduction in variation and waste, and provide for continuous improvements and continue to meet quality standards required to minimize quality costs and maximize customer satisfaction while ensuring that procedures and processes are adhered to.

Responsibilities:

• Assess and qualify new suppliers through audits and evaluations.
• Lead supplier development strategy, designing the metrics for the function and supplier performance.
• Lead quality and validation audits for suppliers.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for quality-related issues with suppliers.
• Own and improve the Product Part Approval Processes (PPAP).
• Maintain accurate records of supplier quality metrics and audit reports.
• Monitor and report on supplier product quality and performance understanding any commercial issues and impacts.
• Prepare regular reports for management on supplier performance and quality trends.
• Work with Engineering (Design and Manufacturing Engineers) team to define process parameters and criteria to ensure supplier process capability meets product and process requirements.
• Manage the root cause analysis and corrective actions process for supplier quality issues.
• Promote the use of customer preferred techniques for continuous improvement such as Lean, Six-Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), Measurement System Analysis and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis).
• Manage the Supplier Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Manage supplier PPM (Parts per Million), supplier problem solving on time, cost recovery and supplier warranty indicators.
• Stay current and up to date on any changes that may affect the supply and demand of needed products and materials and advise others of any impact.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Proven experience with supplier audits and quality improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, planning and decision making.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Knowledge of quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001) and regulatory requirements.
• Certification in Quality Management (e.g., ASQ Certified Quality Auditor).
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and Auditor certifications.
• Lean Six Sigma: Green or Black Belt certification.