Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description:

The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for monitoring, improving, and sustaining supplier quality performance across assigned suppliers, commodities, business units, and manufacturing locations. This role partners with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with quality requirements, reduce defects, improve supplier performance, and mitigate supply chain risk. The position drives continuous improvement through supplier assessments, corrective action management, qualification activities, and performance monitoring. This role contributes to operational excellence by ensuring supplier quality systems, processes, and product performance support organizational objectives and customer expectations.

Primary Duties:

• Monitors supplier quality performance through the evaluation of quality metrics, performance trends, and risk indicators to identify improvement opportunities.
• Leads supplier corrective action activities and works with suppliers to implement sustainable solutions that improve product quality and process performance.
• Conducts supplier audits, assessments, and surveillance activities to verify compliance with quality management systems, manufacturing processes, and organizational requirements.
• Evaluates and approves suppliers by assessing quality systems, manufacturing capabilities, technical competencies, and operational risks.
• Supports new product introductions and supplier transitions through product and process validation activities, launch readiness reviews, and risk mitigation planning.
• Collaborates with engineering, operations, supply chain, purchasing, and suppliers to improve quality performance, delivery reliability, and overall supplier effectiveness.
• Reviews supplier production processes and quality controls to ensure consistent product conformance and manufacturing capability.
• Develops and maintains supplier quality reporting, scorecards, and performance reviews to support decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.

Primary duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Facilitating advanced quality planning, production validation, and supplier readiness activities for new or revised products.
• Supporting supplier change management activities by evaluating risks associated with product, process, material, or manufacturing changes.
• Analyzing supplier quality data and developing recommendations to reduce defects, improve process capability, and minimize the cost of poor quality.
• Participating in supplier selection, sourcing activities, and supplier development programs.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline;
• 3+ years of experience in quality engineering, supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or a related technical field;
• Experience with advanced quality planning, production part approval processes, failure mode and effects analysis, control plans, root cause analysis, supplier audits, and corrective action methodologies;
• Or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background.
• Professional quality certifications and experience within manufacturing, industrial, or engineered product environments preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of quality management systems and supplier quality management principles.
• Knowledge of advanced quality planning, production validation, process controls, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis, corrective action processes, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis and quality assurance tools.
• Ability to evaluate supplier manufacturing processes, quality systems, and operational risks.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while working with cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
• Proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and performance measurement techniques.

Essential Mental and Physical Functions:

• Ability to analyze complex quality issues, supplier performance data, and manufacturing processes to identify effective solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with suppliers, customers, management, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to prepare and present reports, supplier assessments, audit findings, and performance reviews.
• Ability to conduct supplier audits and investigations in manufacturing and warehouse environments.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required, up to 75%.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

• Combination of office, manufacturing, warehouse, and supplier-site environments.
• Frequent interaction with suppliers, manufacturing personnel, engineering teams, quality teams, and business leaders.
• Domestic and international travel may be required to support supplier development, audits, investigations, and business initiatives.
• Exposure to manufacturing and warehouse environments that may include varying temperatures, noise, moving equipment, and industrial materials.
• Use of required personal protective equipment and compliance with all applicable safety policies and procedures.

Disclaimer:

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 a time with or without notice. This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform, and the employee may be required to perform additional functions. The company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.