Lead Supplier Quality Engineer

Accountabilities:

• Supplier selection and qualification: Lead supplier selection activities through Supplier Readiness Reviews, qualification audits, process audits, and other assessments to evaluate supplier capabilities and readiness.
• Supplier audits: Conduct periodic and surveillance audits, coordinate supplier self-assessments, and support audit requests from product lines to ensure ongoing compliance with quality and process expectations.
• Supplier performance management: Work with product lines and global commodity leaders to address critical supplier performance issues and sustain annual targets across quality, delivery, and cost.
• Non-conformity management: Lead investigations into supplier non-conformities, drive root cause analysis, ensure effective corrective actions are implemented, and verify that improvements are sustained.
• Supplier improvement and development: Analyze key performance indicators and supply chain intelligence to identify competency gaps, develop Supplier Improvement Plans, and work directly with suppliers to improve quality and delivery performance.
• Product development and approval: Partner with suppliers in India to develop parts and products that meet requirements from international business units, defining product, process, and documentation expectations and ensuring compliance.
• Technical collaboration: Communicate with international colleagues and suppliers to clarify technical topics, interpret requirements, and resolve product or process concerns.
• Major investigations and special projects: Provide leadership during significant quality investigations and strategic projects, building effective relationships across suppliers and the wider supply chain.
• Pre-shipment inspection: Conduct or coordinate inspections of newly developed and serial-production parts before shipment to confirm compliance with defined requirements.
• Supplier relationships: Maintain open, professional, and respectful communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders at all organizational levels while promoting a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Requirements

• Education and experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from a four-year college or university, with 14+ years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional background: Significant experience in quality engineering, supplier quality engineering, or product development engineering within an electrical or electronic manufacturing environment.
• Supply chain expertise: Experience working with low-cost-country supply chains, including knowledge of Incoterms, packaging requirements, and supplier documentation requirements.
• Quality systems: Strong knowledge of supplier auditing and ISO 9001 standards, with practical experience applying quality management principles.
• Problem solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with knowledge of Lean Six Sigma and proven ability to resolve complex supplier and manufacturing issues.
• Technical skills: Ability to interpret technical procedures, engineering drawings, governmental regulations, quality management requirements, and other technical documentation. Strong knowledge of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is required.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with suppliers and international stakeholders. Bilingual capabilities are an advantage.
• Collaboration: Strong supplier and customer relationship management skills, excellent interpersonal abilities, and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and locations.
• Independence and adaptability: Comfortable working independently, taking initiative, solving practical problems in situations with limited standardization, and adapting to changing priorities.
• Organization: Strong organizational skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Windows-based operating systems.
• Professional mindset: High ethical standards, openness, resilience, optimism, and a proactive approach to teamwork, compliance, health and safety, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Remote work opportunity with a hybrid designation and flexibility based on role requirements.
• Relocation assistance provided.
• Opportunity to work with suppliers and stakeholders across global markets.
• High-impact role with significant ownership over supplier quality and performance.
• Exposure to international product development, manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain initiatives.
• Opportunity to lead supplier improvement programs and major quality investigations.
• Collaborative environment that values innovation, initiative, and continuous improvement.
• Professional growth through complex technical challenges and cross-functional collaboration.
• Opportunity to contribute to quality and supply chain initiatives supporting the global energy transition.