Supplier Quality Engineer

Join our quality assurance team in Omaha, Nebraska, where you will ensure that the materials and components received from our vendors meet our high-quality expectations and standards. You will act as the primary contact between our company and our suppliers, overseeing quality-related communications, audits, and improvement initiatives. Your role will involve qualifying new vendors, auditing their quality management systems, and managing performance metrics to ensure compliance with our specifications. Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, you play a critical part in supporting our operational objectives by aligning vendor quality with our business and customer demands.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain vendor quality assurance protocols and processes.
• Conduct thorough on-site audits to evaluate vendor quality management practices and capabilities.
• Lead vendor qualification processes, including detailed assessments and process validations.
• Oversee vendor performance through metrics analysis and performance reviews, encouraging collaborative improvement efforts.
• Address and resolve vendor quality issues using advanced problem-solving methodologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Purchasing, and Operations, to address and resolve quality discrepancies.
• Review and sanction vendor-supplied quality documentation such as PPAPs, and FAI reports.
• Develop and enforce vendor improvement plans and oversee their successful implementation.
• Work closely with vendors to drive process optimization, reduce inconsistencies, and ensure adherence to corporate and regulatory quality standards.
• Maintain comprehensive records of audits, corrective actions, and ongoing vendor performance.
• Relay quality requirements to vendors clearly and effectively.
• Lead internal quality audits following ISO standards.
• Assist in product launches and change management in relation to vendor quality.
• Provide thorough training to internal teams on vendor quality protocols.
• Travel domestically and internationally, dedicating 40-60% of your time to vendor development activities.

Education & Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- At least 2 years of experience in vendor quality assurance or a similar role.
- Familiarity with quality tools and methodologies like PPAP, FMEA, and SPC.
- Experience with quality standards such as ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
- Strong communication skills, both written and spoken.
- Proficient in analysis, organization, and problem-solving.