SPM Engineer

About the role

This role focuses on proactively evaluating and managing supplier manufacturing and logistics systems to eliminate variability in quality and delivery. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine product and process designs, improve quality, and reduce costs.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Global Category team for assigned commodities.
• Plan and execute audit activities across the global organization, prioritizing areas of business risk and ensuring governance committees are informed of significant issues.
• Identify organization-wide issues and drive process or system improvements to mitigate risk.
• Engage stakeholders, including management, to understand needs, address concerns, and lead development of stakeholder communication plans.
• Develop and present materials for critical audiences, including sensitive presentations.
• Drive program launches with Volvo stakeholders and supplier teams.
• Monitor and manage team activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Develop, interpret, and implement procedures and policies, advising the wider organization on their application.
• Provide training and coaching to internal and external stakeholders to enable performance improvement.
• Support the annual Commodity Business Plans (CBP).
• Perform supplier evaluations prior to sourcing decisions.
• Lead APQP reviews, drive resolution of supplier-related actions, communicate risks to the Program Management team, and ensure timely PPAP submission.
• Conduct regular assessments during running operations, drive resolution of deviations, and lead continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers (including VQE programs).
• Manage supplier quality incidents using the 8D process and resolve delivery issues, including constraint cases.

Requirements

• Technical university degree or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in supplier quality, new product launches, and process development within the automotive industry.
• Experience with injection molding including paint processes or complex seating systems preferred.
• Strong applied knowledge in APQP, PPAP, lean principles, and problem-solving methodologies (including 8D).
• Project management experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience in supplier greensite start-ups, BIW, or functional plastics preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50% - 70% of working time.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Tax-advantaged savings accounts and a wellness program with discounts and gifts, most of which start on day one of employment.
• Voluntary benefits and a robust retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• The Family Bond by Volvo Cars, a global paid parental leave policy covering all employees, including adoptive, permanent care foster, and surrogate parents.
• Employee and eligible family members can lease a new Volvo at discounted rates through the Volvo Employee Lease Program (VELP).