Supplier Quality Engineer

Key Responsibilities:

• Build Relationships: Develop strong relationships with external suppliers, customers, and internal stakeholders such as Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Engineering.
• Supplier Selection: Support the cross-functional supplier selection process for components.
• Process Validation: Collaborate with external suppliers to ensure manufacturing processes conform to engineering standards and customer requirements.
• Quality Planning: Apply Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) tools, and Cummins specialty tools to develop zero defect components.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to product and process improvement projects using methodologies like lean and six-sigma.
• Supplier Audits: Conduct audits to mitigate risks, ensure readiness, and improve performance.
• Quality Improvement: Support quality improvement plans to enhance supplier performance.
• Problem Resolution: Lead root cause analysis, develop corrective actions, and verify their effectiveness.

External Qualifications and Competencies
Qualifications:

• Education: College, university, or equivalent degree in Engineering or a related technical or scientific subject.
• Licensing: May require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.

Competencies:

• Communication: Develop and deliver multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of different audiences' needs.
• Customer Focus: Build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions.
• Auditing: Apply auditing skills and Quality Management Systems knowledge to appraise manufacturing processes.
• Technical Interpretation: Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing principles and Engineering Standards to interpret technical requirements.
• Process Design: Design manufacturing processes that consistently meet technical and customer requirements.
• Process Validation: Use core Automotive tools (DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, SPC, MSA, Source Release, PPAP) to validate manufacturing processes.
• Measurement Design: Design measurement systems that meet industry and customer requirements.
• Problem Solving: Use systematic analysis processes and industry methodologies to solve problems and mentor others.
• Quality Influence: Engage stakeholders, drive constructive conflict, and influence outcomes to ensure balanced decisions.
• Quality Standards: Apply knowledge of ISO9001:2015 and IATF16949 to develop procedures and processes.
• Statistical Foundations: Use statistical tools to influence decision-making and drive improvement actions.
• Supplier Improvement: Develop and execute quality improvement strategies to enhance supplier performance.
• Project Planning: Apply APQP skills to develop and execute quality plans for external suppliers.
• Value Differences: Recognize the value of different perspectives and cultures.

Additional Responsibilities Unique to this Position
Skills and Experience:

• Work Environment: Ability to work from the office.
• Hands-on Experience: Experience in Heat Treatment, Casting, and Machining.
• Metallurgical Skills: Control of heat treating processes, furnaces, and auxiliary equipment; quench & temper of wrought steel; carburizing processes; induction hardening; steels for quenching & tempering; steel mill selection & approval.
• Forging Skills: Technical feasibility, simulation, die design; material certifications; steel bar quality; heating practices; types of forging & application; process defects RCA & corrective actions; machinability hardness, mechanical & chemical composition; defects.
• Machining Skills: Understand part design; determine material (tools, inserts, coolant); machining features; machining methods; setups & tool changes; sequence of operations; tolerance and surface finish requirements; tool and machine limitations.
• Self-Motivation: Ability to take ownership and drive actions at the supplier end.
• Coordination: Close coordination with regional plants (NA, SA, Europe).
• Team Player: Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Experience: Preferably, a minimum of 3 years in a Manufacturing or Engineering role in the automotive industry or a similarly regulated industry.