Sr. Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer

Woodbridge • Troy, MI

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineer is responsible for ensuring that direct production components and raw materials comply with Woodbridge and Customer quality standards, and meet all regulatory and technical requirements, for flawless launch execution and maintenance of robust supplier performance to maximize Customer satisfaction. The role serves as a liaison between Procurement, Engineering, Operations, Materials/Logistics, and Program Management to drive APQP discipline and manage supplier deliverables, to resolve supplier performance issues, to improve defect prevention, to foster continuous improvement, and to maintain a responsive, accountable and high-functioning supply base.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Engineering, with 5+ years experience in Supplier Quality or Manufacturing Quality, preferably in an automotive environment.
• Strong understanding of automotive quality requirements (AIAG manuals, APQP, PPAPs, Control Plans, FMEAs, TS16949, etc.).
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes, preferably those used in the automotive seating industry (molded foams, fabric lamination, injection molding, stamping, welding, chemicals, etc.).
• Knowledgeable of 8D methodology and problem solving.
• Ability to interpret automotive design records and specifications.
• Skilled in statistical analysis, capability studies, DOEs, and sampling methods to drive variation reduction.
• Ability to travel regularly domestically, and internationally as required.
• Strong organizational, communication, conflict management and computer skill, coupled with an ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Strong negotiation, problem solving, and decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

• Audit experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, 5S, Kaizen and a Six sigma green belt or equivalent is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) deliverables with the direct production component and raw material supply base, while monitoring appropriate readiness and qualification measurables such as Supplier Risk Assessment, Supplier Team Feasibility, Supplier Run at Rate, Supplier PSO, adherence to Supplier Requirements Manual, and Supplier PPAP and IMDS submission, as applicable.
• Conduct supplier on-site audits (PSO, control plan, corrective action, etc.) and process capability studies, as required, to serve as “boots on the ground” to evaluate supplier compliance with quality standards and contractual requirements. Partner with Procurement to make recommendations on supplier suitability and readiness based on findings.
• Monitor monthly supplier scorecards (PPM, delivery, Customer satisfaction) generated within the Woodbridge Supplier Performance System (SPS).
• Identify poor performing suppliers using a risk-based approach combined with SPS reporting, and implement appropriate quality improvement plans (QIP) as needed, to drive defect prevention through robust corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for critical supplier quality issues, communicating regularly with site quality and materials for alignment, to monitor and manage timely and robust resolution. This includes review of Product Complaint Notices (PCNs) with plant teams and suppliers when support is requested, as well as verifying the completeness of supplier 8D response and implementation of permanent corrective action.
• Oversee structured problem-solving (8D, 5-Why) for supplier issues, and ensure corrective actions accurately address root cause.
• Partner with site quality and materials teams for supplier responsiveness and accountability for controlled shipping schedules and recovery plans in response to supplier quality issues, including cost recovery for WFC operations.
• Support the Procurement team through RFQ technical reviews, as required. Work with suppliers under consideration for award of new parts, to review prints and designs in coordination with product engineering, and to document supplier input on part/tooling feasibility, potential process improvements, innovations to improve process capability, etc.
• Guide suppliers through process requalification, tool/part transfers, and major engineering changes.
• Approve Supplier PPAPs and PSWs, and conduct supplier on-site PPAP data verification, as required.
• Support annual reviews and routine maintenance of supplier quality WOL documentation and the supplier requirements manual, to ensure QMS compliance and that concise expectations are communicated to the supply base.
• Recommend VA/VE ideas based on SQA observations gathered during supplier visits and remote reviews. Partner with Procurement to promote supplier VA/VE ideas, and present to WFC cross-functional teams.
• Support department initiatives to automate supplier quality reporting and analytics.
• Conduct periodic tooling audits at supplier sites to verify tooling conditions, asset tags, storage, and adherence to contractual terms, as requested.
• Participate in forums and training sessions between SQA, and site Quality and Materials teams, to reinforce education and roles & responsibilities around supplier quality and delivery issues escalation process.
• Contribute input and rationale for annual travel and training budget, specific to your sites, commodities, and suppliers identified for improvement, visitation & audit plan.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, data‑driven decision‑making, accountability and proactive risk management within your supply base, and foster strategic relationships to drive innovation and continuous improvement techniques and processes.
• Ensure suppliers meet regulatory and Customer-specific requirements (e.g., IMDS, REACH, CMRT, CQI special processes, etc.) and deploy tools to acquire timely supplier declarations and reporting records accordingly.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation & Benefits Plan
• Defined Contribution Plan with additional company match – Automatic company contribution to a top quartile retirement savings plan with more incentives to match
• Flexible Working Hours
• Employee Assistance Program with free access to health and wellness coaches
• Continuous Learning Culture – We believe in Upskilling & Internal Promotions!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees