Supplier Quality Development Engineer

We are looking for an experienced Supplier Quality Development Engineer with 10 years of expertise in bumpers, injection molding, and painted parts. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and improving the quality of externally sourced injection-molded and painted components, specifically bumpers, ensuring they meet all customer specifications, quality standards, and compliance requirements. This role will involve close collaboration with suppliers and internal teams, including product development, engineering, and production, to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality parts

Responsibilities

• Supplier Quality Management:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers for bumpers, injection-molded, and painted parts, ensuring high-quality production standards and on-time delivery.

• Conduct comprehensive supplier evaluations, audits, and assessments, focusing on quality systems, processes, and performance metrics.
• Lead and support the resolution of supplier-related quality issues and deviations, working with suppliers to implement corrective actions and preventive measures.

• Collaborate with suppliers on design changes, tooling modifications, and material specifications to ensure manufacturability and optimal product quality.

• Quality Improvement & Process Optimization:

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for suppliers to reduce defects, optimize processes, and improve overall quality.

• Identify, analyze, and resolve quality issues related to bumpers, injection molding, and painted parts through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Implement Six Sigma, Lean, and other quality improvement methodologies to optimize supplier processes and reduce production costs.

• Ensure suppliers are continuously improving their processes and adhering to the latest quality standards and industry best practices.

• Part Approval and Compliance:

• Lead the approval process for new bumpers, injection-molded, and painted parts through Part Submission Warrant (PSW), ensuring alignment with all quality requirements and specifications.

• Review and approve supplier PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) submissions, ensuring products meet quality, performance, and regulatory standards.

• Manage and ensure compliance with industry-specific quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA, or similar) for bumpers, injection-molded, and painted parts.

• Supplier Development & Training:

• Develop and implement supplier development programs to improve quality, delivery, and cost performance, with a focus on bumpers, injection-molded, and painted parts.

• Provide training and support to suppliers on quality standards, manufacturing processes, and the use of quality tools such as FMEA, SPC, and control plans.

• Guide suppliers in process and product improvements for injection molding and painted parts, focusing on reducing defects, improving cycle times, and enhancing product performance.

• Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between internal teams (Engineering, R&D, Production, Purchasing) and external suppliers to address quality concerns and facilitate the timely resolution of issues.

• Collaborate closely with design and manufacturing engineers to ensure that product designs, tooling, and processes are optimized for quality and manufacturability, particularly for bumpers and painted parts.

• Work closely with the Purchasing team to evaluate and select new suppliers based on quality, cost, and delivery capabilities.

• Data Management & Reporting:

• Collect and analyze quality data, supplier performance metrics, and trends to identify areas for improvement.

• Develop and present detailed reports on supplier performance, quality issues, and improvement activities to senior management.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as defect rates, cost reduction, supplier performance and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of injection molding processes, painting techniques, and materials used in bumper manufacturing.
• In-depth knowledge of quality management systems and standards (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA, PPAP, FMEA, SPC).
• Proven experience in managing supplier relationships and driving quality improvement projects within the automotive or related industries.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to solve complex quality problems using root cause analysis and statistical methods.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• Experience with automotive parts manufacturing and quality requirements for bumpers, painted components, and injection-molded plastic parts.
• Familiarity with advanced technologies such as multi-shot injection molding or gas-assisted injection molding.
• Experience working with global suppliers and cross-functional teams in diverse regions.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in supplier quality engineering, specifically related to bumpers, injection-molded, and painted parts.