Supplier Quality Engineer

Position Summary

The Plant Supplier Quality Engineer / Lead is responsible for ensuring incoming supplier materials and components meet Malibu Boats' quality, performance, and reliability standards to support high-performance marine manufacturing operations. This role partners closely with purchasing, operations, engineering, and key suppliers to drive defect prevention, supplier development, and continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

This leader will play a critical role in maintaining production flow, product integrity (cosmetic, functional, structural), and customer satisfaction by proactively managing supplier quality risks in a fast-paced, built-to-order boat manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Management

• Serve as the primary quality interface between MBI plant location and production suppliers.
• Maintain supplier quality performance metrics (PPM, on-time delivery, corrective actions, warranty impact) via scorecard.
• Lead supplier selection support activities (engaged in product development prior to sourcing), including:
• Supplier APQP participation
• Risk assessments (PFMEA, control plans)
• PPAP approvals for new parts and changes

Incoming Quality & Production Support

• Establish and maintain incoming inspection standards.
• Drive containment activities to minimize line disruptions due to supplier defects.
• Collaborate with production teams to resolve quality issues.

Corrective Action & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and manage supplier corrective actions using structured methods (8D, DMAIC, A3).
• Perform root cause analysis on supplier-related defects affecting production or field performance.
• Track and verify effectiveness of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Partner with suppliers to implement lean manufacturing and process capability improvements.

Supplier Development

• Identify Top 5 suppliers (using scorecard data) needing process/product development to improve part quality - develop a plan and achieve results.

• Conduct supplier audits (process, system, and layered process audits).

• Drive supplier capability improvements aligned to Malibu's expectations for:

• High-end finish quality

• Durability in marine environments

• Consistency in custom configurations

• Develop strategic supplier relationships focused on long-term quality performance and innovation.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to ensure supplier quality readiness for new boat models.
• Ensure early supplier involvement for:
• Design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Material validation (UV resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.)
• Prototype and pilot build support.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze supplier-related quality trends impacting:

• Production efficiency

• Scrap/rework costs.

• Warranty/field failures

• Provide insights and action recommendations to leadership.

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