Supplier Quality Engineer

About the role

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, contributing to operational excellence by ensuring supplier quality systems, processes, and product performance support organizational objectives and customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor supplier quality performance through evaluation of quality metrics, performance trends, and risk indicators to identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead supplier corrective action activities and work with suppliers to implement sustainable solutions that improve product quality and process performance.
• Conduct supplier audits, assessments, and surveillance activities to verify compliance with quality management systems, manufacturing processes, and organizational requirements.
• Evaluate and approve suppliers by assessing quality systems, manufacturing capabilities, technical competencies, and operational risks.
• Support new product introductions and supplier transitions through product and process validation activities, launch readiness reviews, and risk mitigation planning.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, supply chain, purchasing, and suppliers to improve quality performance, delivery reliability, and overall supplier effectiveness.
• Review supplier production processes and quality controls to ensure consistent product conformance and manufacturing capability.
• Develop and maintain supplier quality reporting, scorecards, and performance reviews to support decision‑making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate advanced quality planning, production validation, and supplier readiness activities for new or revised products.
• Support supplier change management activities by evaluating risks associated with product, process, material, or manufacturing changes.
• Analyze supplier quality data and develop recommendations to reduce defects, improve process capability, and minimize the cost of poor quality.
• Participate in supplier selection, sourcing activities, and supplier development programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.
• Professional quality certifications and experience within manufacturing, industrial, or engineered product environments preferred.
• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides a comparable background.

Skills

• 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.
• 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.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• 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 includes a combination of office, manufacturing, warehouse, and supplier‑site settings, with exposure to varying temperatures, noise, moving equipment, and industrial materials; use of required personal protective equipment and compliance with safety policies is mandatory.