Supplier Quality Engineer

The position requires a strong hands-on presence at supplier locations to drive corrective actions, monitor production processes, reduce defects, and improve overall supplier performance for service parts. This role acts as the primary quality and delivery representative at assigned supplier sites and serves as a key liaison between internal engineering, operations, and supplier teams.

Title: Supplier Quality Engineer
Location: Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Duration: 12 Months

Description:
The Supplier Quality and Risk Management Specialist is responsible for providing direct, on-site support at supplier manufacturing facilities. This role ensures suppliers consistently meet company quality standards, regulatory requirements, and delivery expectations. The position requires a strong hands-on presence at supplier locations to drive corrective actions, monitor production processes, reduce defects, and improve overall supplier performance for service parts.
This role acts as the primary quality and delivery representative at assigned supplier sites and serves as a key liaison between internal engineering, operations, and supplier teams. They will also be responsible for working cross functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality and purchasing to find innovative solutions to provide the best-in-class customer service. The SQRM specialist will also support launch and engineering change management to ensure parts availability.

Job responsibilities include but not limited to:
•Lead immediate containment activities for service part defects impacting dealers, distribution centers, or end customers.
•Lead structured root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, etc.).
•Validate corrective actions on-site to prevent recurrence.
•Perform product audits and dock audits prior to shipment.
•Support warranty investigation and field return analysis.
•Maintain regular physical presence at supplier facilities producing service/aftermarket parts.
•Monitor manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and preservation processes.
•Ensure compliance with service part specifications, appearance standards, and traceability requirements.
•Verify adherence to drawings, engineering change notices (ECNs), and service part deviations.
•Audit packaging for damage prevention during storage and shipment.
•Track supplier PPM, field returns, warranty claims, packaging damage rates, and on-time delivery.
•Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect prevention and service fill rate performance.
•Escalate chronic issues and partner with suppliers on recovery plans.
•Collaborate with Service Parts Planning, Distribution Centers, Warranty, Engineering, and Procurement.
•Communicate supplier risks that may impact dealer orders or customer satisfaction.
•Provide real-time updates during critical containment situations.
•Perform supplier quality systems and process audits and lead supplier improvement/development programs.
•Initiate and follow-up on corrective actions and verify effectiveness on-site.
•Participation in launch teams, lead and coordinate APQP/PPAP deliverables for purchased components within the supplier quality group.
•Work with Engineering and Supplier organizations to alleviate discrepancies in product specifications.
•Assist in educating suppliers on *** systems and requirements.

Position Requirements
Basic Qualifications
•Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field
•3+ years of work experience in Quality, Supplier Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing or a related field
•Ability to travel up to 80%.
•Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite, Powe4rPoint and Excel
•Excellent organization, written and oral communication skills.
•Business process optimization experience
•Experience analyzing quality aspects of any process or operation.
•Ability to organize and communicate problem solving techniques into visual displays and presentations for all levels of the organization.
•Ability to work in small teams with both leadership and operational level team members.
•Proficient with Teams, Outlook and other Microsoft Applications, PowerPoint and Excel

Preferred Qualifications
•Experience supporting aftermarket or service parts preferred.
•Knowledge in different process in Automotive
•GD&T Knowledge
•Problem Solving Knowledge
•Strong Conflict Resolution Skills
•Certification in project management and data analytics
•Previous experience working with suppliers.

Custom Fields:
Name: Badge Needed?
Value: Yes

Name: Driving Required?
Value: Yes

Name: Resource Type
Value: Supplemental (Staff Aug/SRA)

Name: If Travel is Required, List the Travel Requirements
Value: At least once a month to the red suppliers on the engineer's deck and once a quarter to the yellow suppliers

Name: Travel Required?
Value: Yes

Name: *** Laptop Needed?
Value: Yes

Name: Company Car Required?
Value: No

Name: Amex Card Needed?
Value: Yes