Supplier Quality Engineer

Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for ensuring supplierâprovided components meet specifications at the point of use and do not disrupt production flow. This role serves as the first responder to inâplant supplier material issues leads immediate containment and disposition drives root cause and corrective actions (RCCA) and develops supplier performance programs and audits to prevent recurrence. Youll partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering Materials/Purchasing and Supplier teams to protect the assembly line and advance worldâclass quality delivery and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as first responder for supplier material issues found on the line in receiving and preâassembly inspection.
• Implement immediate containment (e.g. sort rework scrap stopâshipment stopâbuild) to protect production.
• Raise track and close NonâConformance Reports (NCRs); ensure proper segregation identification and inâplant disposition of nonâconforming material.
• Assess operational impact and coordinate temporary updates to work instructions or process steps as needed.
• Lead structured problem solving (8D 5 Whys Fishbone/Ishikawa DMAIC) through verified effectiveness.
• Collaborate with crossâfunctional teams and suppliers on CAPA/RCCA including verification/validation of fixes at point of use.
• Participate in/lead MRB activities and provide timely dispositions aligned with risk and product requirements.
• Plan and conduct supplier audits/assessments (e.g. ISO 9001âbased; ISO 13485/AS9100 as applicable).
• Support supplier qualifications process approvals and DockâtoâStock readiness.
• Establish closedâloop corrective action with suppliers; evaluate the effectiveness of APQP/PPAP and incoming inspection strategies based on inâplant performance.
• Analyze and report inâplant supplier metrics (e.g. line fallout NCR trends escape and detection rates containment effectiveness DPPM/DPU).
• Maintain robust use of core quality tools: Process Flow PFMEA Control Plan MSA (e.g. Gage R&R) and SPC (control charts Cp/Cpk).
• Utilize GD&T to rapidly assess part conformity and functional risk.
• Partner with Engineering Manufacturing Materials/Purchasing and Supplier teams to drive sustainable improvements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing test and supplier processes to improve yield reduce cost of poor quality (CoPQ) and enhance delivery reliability.
• Prepare and lead supplier review meetings share best practices and recognize high performance.

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Industrial Manufacturing or related Engineering discipline (or equivalent technical experience).
• 3 years in Plant Quality Manufacturing Quality or Supplier Quality within highâvolume manufacturing (automotive electronics semiconductor capital equipment medical devices or similar).
• Strong familiarity with assembly line operations and the impact of material quality on production flow.

Technical Skills

• Structured problem solving: 8D 5 Whys Fishbone/Ishikawa DMAIC/Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt preferred).
• Core Quality tools: PFMEA Control Plans Process Flow MSA (Gage R&R) SPC (control charts Cp/Cpk).
• Supplier quality processes: APQP PPAP supplier audits/assessments DockâtoâStock readiness.
• GD&T proficiency for rapid part assessment and risk evaluation.
• Comfortable with data analysis and statistical methods; strong Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint) skills.

Soft Skills

• Proactive detailâoriented and calm under pressure in fastâpaced highâvolume environments.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) facilitation and stakeholder management internally and externally.
• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to influence without authority and close actions on time.

Preferred

• ASQ CQE or equivalent certification; Six Sigma GB/BB.
• Experience implementing supplier performance programs/scorecards and leading supplier development.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 (and ISO 13485/AS9100 where applicable).
• Experience with MRB processes and QMS/PLM/ERP integrations.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work performed in office manufacturing and supplier environments.
• Ability to sit for extended periods; move arms/hands/fingers; lift up to 25 lbs (with assistance for heavier items).
• May require use of PPE in production areas; exposure to moderate noise (printers equipment manufacturing).
• Visual acuity required to perform inspections data analysis and documentation.

Travel

• Up to 25% travel for supplier visits audits trainings and reviews.