Supplier Development & Qualification Quality Engineer

Vertiv•Pelzer, SC

About The Position

As a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer in Supplier Development & Qualification, you will scale and optimize Vertiv’s external supplier base in alignment with strategic procurement and quality goals. You will drive supplier excellence by assessing and supporting the implementation of Operational Management Systems, conducting technical and manufacturing assessments, and leading product and process audits to assure supplier capability and capacity. The role maintains strong supplier relationships to ensure the quality of purchased components and materials through continuous improvement. Supporting both new product development introduction (NPDI) and serial production, the engineer works closely with Supplier Quality Engineers to achieve quality objectives, ensure timely project PPAP delivery, and develop the supplier base over the long term. The position supports the execution and maintenance of an ISO 9001-certified Quality Management System and requires 10% travel.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in Supplier Development and Qualification, a Supplier Quality Engineer role, or a related field.
Experience with Supplier Operational Management Systems.
Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing, capacity planning, and quality systems such as ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
Professional experience in relevant fields, including sheet metal and enclosures, power switching, electronics manufacturing services, transformers, heat exchangers, fans and coils, compressors, cables and wiring, or metal plumbing and piping.
Experience handling high-risk, critical projects of significant scope to the company.
Experience leading, mentoring, and coaching people to improve organizational technical knowledge.
Technical expertise supporting proactive, preventive, and reactive supplier quality strategies across regional and global scopes.
Experience with problem-solving tools and techniques such as 8-D, 5 Whys, SCAR, Fishbone, Pareto, Six Sigma, and PPAP.
Ability to manage multiple tasks according to priority, difficulty, and severity.
Background applying statistical tools to process and product development and control, such as Gage R&R, process capability, control plans, SPC, and PFMEA.
Bachelor’s degree.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; the employer will not provide sponsorship for work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
Master’s degree.
ASQ certification, such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
Strong evidence of experience in Supplier Development and Qualification, Supplier Quality Engineering, or a related field.
Strategic leadership experience in supplier management.
Knowledge of one or more relevant commodities, including sheet metal and enclosures, power switching, electronics manufacturing services, transformers, heat exchangers, fans and coils, compressors, cables and wiring, or metal plumbing and piping.
Proficiency in quality tools and methodologies, including root cause analysis, control plans, and capacity and capability studies.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as a team member.
Experience documenting or designing business processes, performing business analysis, and defining requirements.
Experience driving supplier lead-time improvement strategies.

Responsibilities

Qualify, evaluate, audit, and develop suppliers to assure excellence in supplier industrialization.
Lead supplier performance improvement strategies with suppliers to identify and resolve issues affecting NPDI, PPAP, and mass production, in coordination with the commodity SQE team.
Assure OEE, production cycle time, capacity utilization, and throughput requirements in pre-launch and post-launch phases through supplier operational system audits and technical and manufacturing feasibility assessments.
Support robust APQP to establish manufacturing industrialization readiness at suppliers.
Ensure supplier compliance with drawings, specifications, standards, and customer requirements.
Monitor and address supplier nonconformances by developing quality control plans and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
Drive permanent resolution of supplier issues reported by Vertiv facilities and customers, in coordination with the SQE commodity team.
Support supplier industrialization readiness and PPAP requirements for new programs and change management.
Lead problem definition and preventive problem solving, including containment, root cause identification, and corrective action through SCARs.
Develop root cause analyses and supplier reports; communicate investigation outcomes internally and externally.
Collaborate with Engineering, Service, Manufacturing/Operations, Sales, Offering Management, Plants Quality, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and other internal stakeholders to resolve quality issues and communicate requirements and changes.
Prepare concise verbal and written executive summaries for the Leadership Team.
Conduct on-site supplier audits to monitor Quality Management System compliance and effectiveness, identify improvement opportunities, and evaluate and score potential new suppliers.
Visit suppliers to assess installations, document improvement needs, investigate issues, and initiate corrective action.
Provide monthly supplier performance and quality initiative reports and status updates to management; present performance metrics and improvement action plans to leadership.
Support sourcing and procurement teams in supplier selection and onboarding.
Lead supplier development projects and initiatives supporting business objectives.
Provide suppliers with technical guidance and training on company standards, Lean operating systems, and best practices.
Support the execution and maintenance of an ISO 9001-certified Quality Management System.
Undertake other responsibilities as assigned based on company and departmental needs.