Supplier Quality Engineer - VOC

Key Job Responsibilities

• Own supplier-related Juhin / Product Issues as a Project Manager or Technical Lead, including problem definition, root cause analysis, interim containment, permanent corrective actions, and recurrence prevention.
• Investigate customer-impacting issues through Komatsu’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, ensuring timely response, effective containment, and sustained resolution.
• Interface with Customer Quality and VOC teams on quality escapes, warranty claims, and field issues, ensuring robust corrective actions and feedback into manufacturing and design processes.
• Ensure lessons learned from VOC and field failures are captured and deployed to prevent recurrence in current and future products including support for Region’s task force.
• Lead and facilitate structured root cause analysis and corrective action activities using 8D, A3, 5-Why, and Fishbone methodologies.
• Verify effectiveness of corrective actions through data analysis and validation, ensuring actions are sustained and systemic.
• Drive disciplined closure of quality issues and recurrence prevention across suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Lead discussions with suppliers on quality issues, root cause identification, and development of robust mitigation and corrective action plans.
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop, maintain, and improve Inspection and Control Plans to ensure ongoing quality conformance.
• Lead escalation of supplier containment activities including holds, controlled shipping, sorting, rework, deviation management, and risk mitigation to protect the customer.
• Identify and prioritize supplier quality risks using VOC data, warranty trends, incoming inspection results, and SPC signals.
• Develop, maintain, and fulfill warranty metrics and VOC reporting requirements across the Komatsu business.
• Drive actions to reduce Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through targeted supplier and process improvements and cost recovery.
• Support ISO 9001 internal audits, ensuring compliance and effective corrective action closure.
• Coach suppliers and internal stakeholders on quality tools, standards, and best practices to strengthen problem-solving capability.
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Customer Quality to drive alignment and sustainable improvement.
• Champion a culture of quality excellence, continuous improvement, and proactive change leadership across the Longview facility.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent technical discipline).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in quality, manufacturing, engineering, service, or a related field demonstrating the competencies required for this role.
• Proven experience developing, implementing, and sustaining quality control processes in a manufacturing or assembly environment.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical assemblies, preferably in heavy equipment or industrial machinery.
• Demonstrated ability to lead root cause analysis and corrective action activities using structured problem-solving methods (8D, A3, 5-Why, Fishbone, Six Sigma).
• Working knowledge of quality methods, statistical tools, and corrective/preventive action systems.
• Experience working within a Quality Management System (QMS); familiarity with ISO 9001 requirements preferred.
• Experience with SAP Quality Module (QM) or similar ERP quality systems preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze quality data and KPIs to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and levels of the organization, as well as with customers and suppliers.
• Background in surface mining machinery or equivalent heavy industrial equipment preferred.
• Leverage Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification or experience preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a manufacturing and shop-floor environment.