Supplier Quality Engineer

Key Responsibilities 1. Supplier Qualification and Onboarding: • Conduct supplier audits to assess capabilities, quality systems, and compliance with industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001). • Evaluate and approve new suppliers based on quality, cost, and delivery performance metrics. • Work with cross-functional teams to establish quality requirements for new suppliers during onboarding. 2. Supplier Performance Monitoring: • Monitor and evaluate supplier quality performance using metrics such as PPM (Parts Per Million), OTIF (On-Time In-Full), and DPPM (Defects Per Million). • Develop and maintain supplier scorecards, providing regular feedback to drive continuous improvement. • Identify underperforming suppliers and develop improvement plans in collaboration with suppliers. 3. Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions: • Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for supplier-related non-conformances, including material defects and delivery issues. • Collaborate with suppliers to develop and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to prevent recurrence. • Track the effectiveness of corrective actions to ensure sustained improvement. 4. Supplier Development and Training: • Partner with suppliers to improve their processes, quality systems, and manufacturing capabilities. • Provide training and guidance on company quality standards, product specifications, and inspection requirements. • Drive supplier adoption of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to enhance efficiency and quality. 5. Incoming Material Quality Assurance: • Establish and maintain incoming inspection plans for critical components and materials. • Collaborate with quality and production teams to define inspection criteria, sampling plans, and acceptance standards. • Ensure defective materials are properly managed, including segregation, documentation, and disposition. 6. Collaboration with Internal Teams: • Act as the primary liaison between suppliers and internal teams, including procurement, engineering, and production. • Collaborate with design and engineering teams to ensure supplier materials meet product design specifications. • Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by ensuring supplier readiness and compliance with project timelines. 7. Supplier Audits and Compliance Checks: • Plan, schedule, and conduct regular supplier audits to assess compliance with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations. • Monitor supplier certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949) and ensure they remain up to date. • Document audit findings and follow up on corrective actions to close non-conformances. 8. Support for New Product Introduction (NPI): • Ensure supplier readiness for NPI projects, including reviewing First Article Inspections (FAI) and pre-production runs. • Verify that suppliers can meet design, quality, and production requirements during the prototype and pilot stages. • Conduct Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) evaluations for new or revised supplier components. Key Requirements: 1. Education and Experience: • Education: o Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electronics, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field. • Experience: o 3-5 years of experience in supplier quality, supply chain, or quality assurance roles within the EMS or manufacturing sector. o Proven experience in working with suppliers of electronic components, mechanical parts, and PCBs. 2. Skills and Competencies: • Technical Skills: o Knowledge of quality tools such as FMEA, APQP, PPAP, and SPC. o Proficiency in using statistical analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP) and quality management systems (QMS). o Familiarity with inspection methods, GD&T, and testing processes for electronic and mechanical components. o Experience with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 standards. • Soft Skills: o Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with suppliers and internal teams. o Excellent problem-solving and negotiation skills to resolve quality and delivery issues. o Detail-oriented with the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 3. Certifications (Preferred): • Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). • Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification. • Lead Auditor certification for ISO 9001 or ISO 14001. • IPC certifications for electronics manufacturing standards, such as IPC-A-610 or J-STD-001.