Supplier Quality Engineer (Metallurgy)

About the role

Wolverine Advanced Materials (WAM) is seeking a highly experienced Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) with deep metallurgical expertise to strengthen our metal raw material supply base and drive supplier quality performance across our global manufacturing network. This is a field-active, supplier-facing technical authority role – not a laboratory position. This role will operate at the intersection of metallurgical depth and supplier quality execution, combining hands-on problem solving with structured quality system management (IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP).

The SQE – Metallurgy will serve as WAM’s technical expert for metallic raw materials, working directly with steel mills, galvanizers, metal service centers, and internal manufacturing, quality, and R&D teams. The role demands proven capability to resolve complex metal-related quality issues, qualify new suppliers, manage supplier performance metrics, and support new product and process development. Core materials include carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum in coil form, with a strong focus on downstream coating and elastomer-lamination processes.

 This position is located on site in Blacksburg, VA.

What you'll do

Supplier Quality Management & Performance

• Own supplier quality performance for assigned metal raw material suppliers, including monitoring KPIs (PPM, OTD, SCAR closure rate, audit scores) and driving continuous improvement.
• Manage Supplier Problem Notification (SPN’s) end-to-end: initiation, root cause verification, corrective action validation, and effectiveness monitoring.
• Lead or support supplier audits (process audits, system audits) in accordance with IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, and WAM internal standards.
• Serve as the primary technical interface between WAM and metal suppliers during quality escalations, containment actions, and customer-impacting incidents.
• Maintain supplier quality records, corrective action logs, audit reports, and performance dashboards.

 Supplier Quality Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis

• Lead technical investigations and root cause analysis (8D, A3, PDCA) for metal-related quality issues, including:
• • Galvanization and coating layer defects (thickness variation, adhesion failure, flaking, surface defects)
  • Mechanical properties out of specification (yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, hardness)
  • Surface defects (scratches, pits, roll marks, inclusions, stains, dross)
  • Flatness, camber, edge wave, crossbow, and coil deformation issues
• Work directly with steel mills, galvanizers, and metal service centers to define root causes using metallurgical principles and data-driven methods.
• Review chemical composition, microstructure, processing routes, and heat treatment records as part of investigations.
• Establish and track corrective and preventive actions to closure, ensuring permanent elimination of recurrence.
• Act as WAM’s subject-matter expert during customer escalations and warranty claims related to metal raw material quality.

 Supplier Development & Qualification (APQP / PPAP)

• Lead or support the development and qualification of new metal suppliers for carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
• Define technical requirements for raw materials including chemical composition, mechanical properties, surface and flatness criteria, and coating specifications (zinc coating type and mass).
• Manage the PPAP process for new and changed metal sources: part submission warrants, material certifications, dimensional reports, initial process capability studies.
• Conduct APQP activities for new material introductions: supplier selection criteria, DFMEA/PFMEA participation, control plan review, and industrialization milestones.
• Evaluate supplier metallurgical capability, process controls, and quality systems prior to qualification approval.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, R&D, Quality, and Operations to reduce supply risk and improve supply chain robustness.

 Internal Technical Support, Process Interface & Product Development

• Provide metallurgical expertise to manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams in areas including coil handling, slitting, forming, and downstream processing.
• Assess and communicate the impact of metal substrate properties on elastomer coating adhesion, functional performance, and long-term durability.
• Support new product development activities by defining material requirements, supporting supplier trials, and validating metal substrate performance.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing scrap, rework, and cost of poor quality related to metal raw materials.
• Contribute to the development, review, and maintenance of material specifications, acceptance criteria, and inspection methods.
• Perform metallurgical testing and failure analysis; interpret results and drive clear, actionable technical conclusions.

 Documentation, Standards & Knowledge Management

• Interpret and apply relevant standards and specifications: ASTM, ISO, DIN, SAE, IATF 16949, and customer-specific requirements.
• Lead creation and maintenance of material specifications, acceptance criteria, inspection and testing methods, and supplier quality agreements.
• Document findings, conclusions, and technical recommendations clearly for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of the supplier quality management system.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, Materials Science, or related field (required)
• Master’s degree in Metallurgy or Materials Engineering preferred

• 8+ years of combined experience in metallurgical engineering and supplier quality, preferably in:
• • Steel mills, galvanizing operations, or metal processing/service centers
  • Automotive Tier 1 / Tier 2 suppliers with supplier-facing SQE roles
  • Coated-metal, elastomer-metal laminate, or gasket product environments
• Demonstrated experience with APQP, PPAP, and IATF 16949 quality systems in an automotive or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of leading supplier audits, managing supplier root cause analysis, and driving supplier quality improvement programs.
• Field-active experience: direct engagement with suppliers at their facilities (not purely lab or office-based).

 Technical Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth knowledge of:
• • Carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum metallurgy
  • Galvanization processes: hot-dip, electro galvanizing, coating weight control, adhesion mechanisms
  • Mechanical properties, testing methods (tensile, hardness, bend, formability)
  • Microstructure, heat treatment, annealing, and forming behavior
  • Common coil defects and their metallurgical root causes

• Strong understanding of:
• • Coil manufacturing: rolling, annealing, galvanizing, slitting, and temper passing
  • Interaction between metal substrates and elastomer or polymer coatings (adhesion, delamination mechanisms)
• Automotive quality systems: IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC
• Structured problem-solving: 8D, PDCA, A3, Is/Is-Not
• Supplier audit techniques: process audits, layered process audits, VDA 6.3

 Behavioral Competencies

• Supplier Influence: Ability to drive corrective action and quality improvement at suppliers without direct authority, through technical credibility and professional persuasion.
• Cross-functional Communication: Communicates complex metallurgical and quality concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders (purchasing, operations, customers).
• Escalation Management: Comfortable managing high-pressure situations involving customer complaints, production stoppages, and supplier disputes.
• Ownership & Accountability: Operates autonomously in the field; self-directed and results-oriented with strong follow-through.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across engineering, purchasing, R&D, and operations teams in a matrixed, global organization.

Travel Requirements

Domestic and international travel required to support suppliers and WAM manufacturing facilities worldwide (estimated 30–40%). Travel destinations include supplier sites in North America, Europe (Germany), and Asia (China, Japan).

Valid passport required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods (4–8 hours depending on workflow).
• Ability to walk on the production floor, between workstations, storage areas, and equipment.
• Capacity to bend, reach, and crouch to access low or high shelves.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 40lbs.

**Wolverine Advanced Materials is an Equal Employment Opportunity Company