Supplier Quality Engineer

About the position

The Supplier Quality Engineer will work in a team environment with suppliers to develop and implement best practices that emphasize defect prevention, reduction in variation and waste, provide for continuous improvements in meeting all customer requirements, and supports Sourcing, Quality Dept. and all aspects of the Supplier Quality Assurance function. The purpose of the position is to ensure that the Metalcraft of Mayville supply base continually develops their processes in line with the performance requirements of the customer products and verifies their systems to ensure that they are compliant with the quality expectations to deliver conforming products to include regular and on-going supply chain verification activities. Travel is a required part of the position - approximate 25% both planned and in response to supplier quality issues.

Responsibilities

• Carry out supplier validation audits for the Sourcing, Quality and/or Engineering Depts. to validate new or potential suppliers.
• Work with Engineering (Design and Manufacturing Engineers) team to define process parameters and criteria to ensure supplier process capability is effective to meet product and process requirements.
• Lead the supplier approval process by assessing manufacturing/technology capabilities, health & safety and risk to MoM and its customers.
• Support new product launches to ensure that supplier quality meets the required standards.
• Facilitate the PPAP and FAI approval process with suppliers for product approval.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective actions of supplier quality issues and provide feedback to prevent line stops due to supply issues.
• Perform on-site supplier visits and lead supplier quality audits for root cause analysis and verification of corrective actions of supplier quality issues.
• Work with the supplier directly and create correction action plans to address process failures.
• Manage the customer specific requirements and offer technical support to suppliers.
• Ensure that the products produced meet quality standards required to minimize quality costs and maximize customer satisfaction while ensuring that procedures and processes are followed.
• Maintain the robustness of product builds following new product introductions to ensure continuity and improvement in supplier capability.
• Review supplier manufacturing processes, collaborate with suppliers on process improvement and value enhancement opportunities.
• Promote the use of customer preferred techniques for continuous improvement such as Lean, Six-Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), Measurement System Analysis, and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA).
• Facilitate the escalation of unresolved supplier quality issues within assigned projects and suppliers.
• Support the Sourcing and Quality Dept. to monitor and report on supplier product quality and performance.
• Report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in order to adhere to process and prevent occurrence of any non-conformity relating to product, process or system.
• Assist with first off or proto-type sample approvals, and undertake special projects as required.
• Participate in cross-functional teams in the development of new products or changes related to current products in meeting customer requirements.
• Work on multiple phases or sub-tasks of projects or entire projects of complexity, with results impacting project completion.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities; lead and support process improvement activities at the supplier.
• Write reports and present progress at project meetings and to clients.
• Achieve goals within budget and timing.
• Conduct benchmarking studies to determine best practices/designs and future trends.
• Plan projects or subtasks so they may be tracked and presented.
• Attend various meetings and action/communicate instructions; produce written reports and make presentations.

Requirements

• Knowledge of quality and business systems.
• Knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).
• Lean Manufacturing knowledge.
• Understanding of ISO9001 (and AS9100 is a plus).
• Knowledge of measurement techniques, metrology, and inspection methods and equipment.
• Understanding and interpretation of engineering drawings.
• Understanding manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment.
• Solid planning and prioritizing activities.
• Good written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; must be able to present data effectively.
• Independently determine approach of assigned tasks.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Understands and complies with the Health, Safety and Environmental Policies.
• Proactively contributes to the team efforts, and has a collaborative approach to working with others.
• Understanding of cost and financial impacts.
• Assertive, optimistic, resilient and welcomes change.
• Displays moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.