Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer
Job Number: 9951
External Description:
About the role
The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of externally sourced components that support production within the air-cooled chiller value stream. This role partners closely with suppliers, operations, engineering, and supply chain teams to drive supplier performance, resolve quality issues, and implement robust processes that protect production continuity and customer satisfaction. The position plays a critical leadership role in supplier development, problem solving, and risk mitigation across the supply base.
Key Responsibilities
As a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer, you’ll be responsible for:
- Monitor and drive supplier quality performance through metrics such as PPM, on-time corrective actions, and defect trends.
- Lead regular supplier reviews to address performance gaps and establish improvement plans.
- Escalate chronic supplier issues and drive resolution through structured action plans.
- Lead root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, A3, DMAIC)
- Ensure effective containment, corrective action, and systemic prevention of supplier-related defects.
- Support rapid response to production disruptions caused by supplier quality issues.
- Executing supplier qualification and certification processes, including supplier capability assessment, audits, performance monitoring, escape management, and quality issue resolution.
- Partner with strategic suppliers to improve process capability, reliability, and quality systems.
- Drive supplier readiness for new product introductions and engineering changes.
- Recommending and supporting corrective and preventive actions to address systemic process and product design issues related to supplier-provided products.
- Develop inspection strategies and risk-based quality controls such as source inspection, material release, and participation in Corrective Action Boards (CABs) or DQ Clinics with suppliers.
- Identify supplier development opportunities to drive continuous improvement, reduce supplier-related defects, improve material flow, and enhance supply chain reliability.
- Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, operations, and supply chain to resolve incoming quality issues and minimize production downtime.
- Develop inspection strategies and risk-based quality controls for critical purchased components.
- Support material review boards and disposition of nonconforming supplier material.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or Technology field.
- 4+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or quality engineering within a manufacturing environment.
- 2+ years of hands-on experience working directly with suppliers to resolve technical and quality issues.
- 4+ years of experience applying structured problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies.
- At least 1 year of experience with PPAP/UPPAP processes and supplier part qualification.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% annually, both domestically and internationally.
Preferred Qualifications
- Valid driver’s license with the ability to travel to nearby logistics or supplier sites.
- Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), or ISO Auditor.
- Proven success leading suppliers through transformational change and managing crisis stabilization efforts.
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, and other operational excellence tools.
- Familiarity with SAP ERP/MES systems and quality data analysis.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
- Comfortable working on-site at supplier locations, including hands-on shop floor engagement.
Job Number: 30201736
Community / Marketing Title: Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer
Location_formattedLocationLong: North Carolina, US