Supplier Quality Engineer

Position Summary:

The Supplier Quality Engineer will play a critical role in ensuring the quality and reliability of products sourced from our global network of suppliers. This position will collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish and maintain robust quality management systems, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and proactively address supplier-related quality issues. Supplier Quality expertise is crucial to maintaining and enhancing our commitment to delivering high-quality products to our customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supplier Qualification and Auditing:
• Conduct thorough assessments to qualify new suppliers, ensuring they meet the company's quality standards.
• Regularly perform supplier audits to evaluate and monitor compliance with quality management systems and processes.
• Lead and perform supplier evaluations, assessments, and subcontractor quality audits.
• Quality Planning and Control:
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop and implement quality plans that meet the company's requirements.
• Define and communicate quality control standards and expectations to suppliers.
• Assist Purchasing in the selection of suppliers.
• Ensure initial communication of CVG Policies and Procedures to new suppliers.
• Verify and maintain records of suppliers’ ISO/IATF certifications.
• Develop the supply base to achieve IATF 16949 requirements aligned with over-the-road vehicle applications and corporate business objectives.
• Ensure new product programs launch without supplier issues.
• Assist suppliers with QMS development activities where necessary.
• Spearhead the quality initiatives with the supply base in the preparation of PPAP with new suppliers or programs.
• Aid in the procurement of initial sample requirements.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in supplier processes and products.
• Work closely with suppliers to implement corrective and preventive actions to address quality issues.
• Actively promote continuous improvement for all processes and products with both suppliers and CVG operations.
• Liaise between Suppliers, Engineering, Purchasing, and Production to be both proactive in preventing and resolving quality issues during analysis for improved cost efficiency and product improvement.
• Root Cause Analysis:
• Lead investigations into quality issues, conducting thorough root cause analyses to determine the source of problems.
• Collaborate with suppliers to implement corrective actions and prevent recurrence.
• Performance Monitoring:
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for Supplier Quality performance and monitor them regularly.
• Provide feedback to suppliers on their performance and collaborate on improvement initiatives.
• Monitor and report supplier performance metrics monthly.
• Produce and provide monthly scorecards at a minimum to all suppliers within the top 80 percentile of defect contributors.
• Use the supplier performance metrics to target suppliers for development with the goal of improving the overall supply chain's performance.
• Develop supplier-specific improvement plans with quantifiable goals.
• Cross-functional Collaboration:
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as sourcing, engineering, and manufacturing to align Supplier Quality with overall business objectives.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to resolve complex issues and drive quality improvements.
• Support Production in achieving targets and goals; interface and cooperate cross-functionally and departmentally.
• Documentation and Reporting:
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation related to Supplier Quality activities.
• Generate regular reports on supplier performance, highlighting trends and areas for improvement.
• Support plants with communication of supplier nonconformances when suppliers are non-responsive, or issues arise.
• Other Responsibilities:
• Other duties, special projects, and ad hoc reporting as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
• Bachelor's or Associate’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Supply Chain, or a related field. An advanced degree is a plus.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 3-5+ years of experience in Supplier Quality Engineering within a global manufacturing environment. Experience in heavy truck or automotive is preferred.
• Technical Skills:
• In-depth knowledge of quality management systems, ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 standards, and industry best practices.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods and tools for data analysis (8D, PPAP, APQP, etc.).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, as well as proficiency with other Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Power Point, etc.
• Able to compile and analyze large data sets and maintain supplier performance metrics.
• Proficiency in blueprint reading with GD&T.
• Experience in the use of SPC, MSA, PFMEA.
• Statistics training and experience with statistical software such as Mini-Tab (Six Sigma experience is a plus).
• AIAG core tool competency required (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA).
• Knowledge of the AIAG MAQMSR for sub-tier suppliers preferred.
• Experience with change management processes (ECN’s, Deviations, etc.), and the Control of Nonconforming/Suspect product.
• Knowledge of CS1 and CS2 containment activities.
• Knowledge of CQI special process assessments.
• Communication and Collaboration:
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and cultures.
• Ability to develop and present detailed reports to upper management.
• Primary Language is English with Bi-Lingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
• Ability to partner with internal and external customers/suppliers; a team player able to work well in a group and take direction, as well as an individual contributor able to work autonomously in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Problem Solving:
• Proven ability to lead root cause analysis and problem-solving efforts.
• Certifications:
• Relevant certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or similar are preferred.
• Travel:
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed, with extensive travel throughout North America, up to 60-70% of the time. Passport or ability to obtain a Passport is required.
• Additional Skills:
  • Able to set self-directed work schedules based on supplier performance data, supplier developmental needs, and to support manufacturing plants.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) is an equal employment opportunity employer such that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Visa Sponsorship
Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) does provide sponsorship for employment visa status based on business need. However, for this role, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors
Please note that Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) and any of its affiliated companies does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to CVG will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before any resume or offer is received.

Career Scam Disclaimer
Commercial Vehicle Group (CVG) makes no representations or guarantees regarding employment opportunities listed on any third-party website.  To protect against career scams, job applicants should take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting employment positions allegedly offered by CVG.  Applicants should never provide their national ID numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account information or other private information when communicating with prospective employers or responding to employment opportunities online.  Job applicants are invited to contact CVG through CVG’s website to verify the authenticity of any employment opportunities.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.