Supplier Quality Engineer

Summary

As a Supplier Quality Engineer at Powerex, you will play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of our products by working closely with our suppliers. You will be responsible for establishing and implementing quality standards, conducting audits, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement initiatives within our supplier network.

Who We Are

Powerex is a successful and growing company, that has achieved outstanding growth over the past 10 years. Powerex has become a leader in vacuum and air systems for many critical applications including Health Care Facilities, Laboratories, Electric Vehicles, and Food & Beverage processing. We have achieved our success through a foundation built on engineering, innovation, quality, and service.  We are a highly integrated close-knit operation where we not only assemble systems, but we also manufacture many of the major components.  We are committed to providing the best value in the market we serve by applying these pillars of our foundation in every system we build. We are seeking high-potential people to join our growing team. Powerex is a part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies.

Essential Duties

• Perform regular supplier audits to assess compliance with quality standards, identify areas for improvement, and ensure corrective actions are implemented effectively.
• Monitor and analyze supplier performance data, identifying trends, and working collaboratively with suppliers to address any deviations or issues.
• Collaborate with the Purchasing team to evaluate potential new suppliers and assess their capabilities to meet our quality standards.
• Develop and maintain supplier quality standards, guidelines, and requirements that align with our company’s quality objectives and industry regulations.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional teams to resolve supplier-related quality issues, utilizing problem-solving methodologies such as root cause analysis, 5 Whys, and Six Sigma principles.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Design teams to provide input during the supplier selection process, ensuring alignment between supplier capabilities and product requirements.
• Implement and manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), driving suppliers to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence of quality issues.
• Lead and participate in the PPAP process with critical customers to ensure the supplier has developed their design and production processes to meet necessary requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the supplier network to enhance quality, efficiency, and overall performance.
• Develop and deliver training programs for suppliers on quality standards, processes, and requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality Management, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of experience in Supplier Quality Engineering or related roles within the manufacturing industry.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems, industry standards (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.), and quality tools (SPC, FMEA, Control Plans, etc.).
• Proficiency in problem-solving methodologies such as Six Sigma, Lean, and root cause analysis.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel for supplier visits, audits, and meetings as required.
• Possessing knowledge of controls and electromechanical designs is desired.
• Capability of handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and possess a willingness to make autonomous decisions.
• Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Familiarity with various measuring devices.

Work Conditions

While performing the duties of this job in the Plant or Warehouse, the employee can be exposed to noise.  The noise level is usually moderate but hearing protection may be required in designated areas.

Physical Demands