Supplier Quality Engineer

The Supplier Quality Engineer supports supplier quality initiatives that enable the business to achieve operational and strategic quality objectives. This role collaborates with suppliers and cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing processes, ensure compliance with quality standards, support new product introduction through Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), and drive continuous improvement across the supply base. The role is responsible for supplier quality planning, process validation, supplier performance improvement, problem resolution, and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities to ensure products consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders including Purchasing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Sourcing, and Quality to improve supplier quality and business performance.
• Support supplier quality planning activities using Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), AIAG core tools, and Cummins quality methodologies.
• Participate in supplier audits and quality assessments, identify improvement opportunities, and support corrective and preventive actions to improve supplier processes and quality systems.
• Investigate supplier quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies, perform root cause analysis, verify corrective actions, and ensure sustainable resolution.
• Drive supplier performance improvement initiatives through continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma.
• Review, evaluate, and disposition Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions, including approval, interim approval, or rejection for assigned product categories.
• Coordinate with suppliers, Supplier Quality Engineers, sourcing teams, and change managers to obtain complete PPAP documentation and resolve documentation gaps or non-conformances.
• Monitor interim approvals, ensure timely closure of expired PPAPs, and maintain targeted turnaround times for PPAP disposition.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to resolve technical questions related to drawings, specifications, manufacturing processes, and PPAP submissions.
• Apply engineering drawing interpretation, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T), statistical methods, and manufacturing process validation techniques to ensure product quality and manufacturability.
• Support manufacturing process validation activities including PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, Source Release, and PPAP.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capability, measurement systems, and product reliability to ensure compliance with customer and industry requirements.
• Analyze supplier quality performance data, identify trends, and recommend improvement strategies that reduce defects and improve process capability.
• Ensure supplier quality processes comply with applicable quality management standards, including ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Contribute to quality improvement projects, knowledge sharing, and continuous enhancement of supplier quality processes.

• Supplier Quality Management
• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
• Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
• AIAG Core Tools (DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, SPC, MSA)
• Supplier Auditing and Quality System Assessment
• Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Management
• Manufacturing Process Design and Validation
• Engineering Drawing Interpretation and GD&T
• Statistical Analysis and Process Capability
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
• Supplier Performance Improvement
• Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, IATF 16949)
• Product Reliability and Measurement System Design
• Cross-functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Management
• Effective Communication and Customer Focus
• Project Planning, Organization, and Execution
• Continuous Improvement and Analytical Problem Solving

• Entry-level to early career experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience supporting supplier quality activities, APQP, PPAP, quality audits, manufacturing process validation, or quality improvement projects is preferred.
• Exposure to automotive, industrial manufacturing, or heavy equipment industries is advantageous.
• Experience working with supplier quality management systems such as CQMS, EQMS, or similar quality management platforms is preferred.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, quality standards, statistical tools, and cross-functional collaboration within manufacturing environments is desirable.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical or scientific discipline.
• Export control or sanctions compliance eligibility may be required based on business and regional requirements.