Supplier Quality Engineer

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions.

About the role

This position has primary responsibility for both Supplier Development and Management initiatives. The Supplier Development focus includes supplier evaluations/audits, project management, supplier development plans for "at risk" suppliers, and approval of PPAP for new and revised parts. The Supplier Management focus ensures resolution of part quality concerns, approval of RCA & CAR submissions, verifying correct, revised, and new parts to the engineering specification, and Change Management. The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for using metrology to confirm Fit, Form, and Function on PPAP parts. This position will utilize relevant databases to ensure supplier metrics are met and to create reports including supplier quality reviews and support department initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Drive "Zero" defect mentality within the supply base
• Monitor, communicate, and improve key supply chain KPI's, including PPM, RMA, and CAR response timing
• Manage projects released into the system, ensuring timely information receipt and completion of project tasks and steps
• Decision maker, monitoring supplier rejects and projects daily and leading action plans for quick resolution, including when due dates are not met
• Confirm PPAP submission including accuracy of quality information, approval of PPAPs for projects, and support pilot production builds
• Conduct and support new and existing supplier audits and on-boarding, including data preparation and report documents
• Champion problem solving, root cause analysis activities, and containment with suppliers and customers to eliminate non-conformances where needed
• Supplier management including metric data review, report generation for project management, supplier development, risk mitigation, and supplier reviews
• Create supplier development plans (data driven) for new and existing suppliers, as needed to ensure project and quality goals are realized
• Communicate engineering and manufacturing specifications with clarity to supplier technical teams
• Utilize escalation process as needed for items which do not meet supplier quality criteria, response timing, or project timing deadlines
• Use metrology tools to confirm parts to engineering specification
• Lead inter-departmental meetings for root cause analysis for part concerns with applicable teams
• Create 5W-2H reports for supplier part failures identified in-house to submission to supplier requesting corrective action for non-conformances
• Review supplier corrective action reports (CAR) for root cause definition and adequate application of corrective actions
• Manage and record supplier deviations and PPCNs, issuing TCRs as needed
• Support department/company activities and issue purchase requests as needed
• Support departmental ISO compliance and documentation of process changes and/or improvements
• Must be a team player and maintain 5S within the assigned work area

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related field required
• 1+ years of Supplier Quality Engineer experience within a manufacturing environment required
• Transportation/Automotive industry experience preferred

Skills

• Computer literate, competency in Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Visio/Access) preferred
• Knowledge of and experience in QMS methodologies preferred
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills with ability to interact with various internal departments
• Ability to work independently and self-motivated
• Familiar with vehicle function and technical knowledge of component parts and processes preferred
• Basic problem-solving skills, proficient in using metrology equipment (CMM preferred)
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changes in priority

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of various quality system methodologies: 8D, 5-Why, Lean, Pareto Analysis, 6-Sigma, PFMEA, Control Plan, PPAP, ISO, etc.
• 5+ years of related experience in quality within a manufacturing environment (Transportation/Automotive industry preferred)

Work Conditions

• Office environment with occasional periods in manufacturing environment, especially during product testing, launch, or when problem solving
• Frequent computer and telephone use
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day either in formal meetings or informally
• Travel: 0-10%