Supplier Quality Assurance Specialist

Atonne Group Inc•Wyoming, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for managing the quality aspects of materials, components, and services provided by external suppliers. This role supports supplier quality assurance processes, supplier audits, corrective action activity, supplier performance monitoring, and quality documentation to ensure purchased materials meet HME quality standards, production needs, and applicable regulatory or compliance requirements. The Supplier Quality Assurance Specialist works closely with Purchasing, Production, Engineering, Quality, Warehouse, and external suppliers to identify quality risks, resolve supplier-related issues, support continuous improvement, and help maintain reliable material flow to production. The role is also responsible for managing supplier-related RMA activity, including vendor communication, tracking of nonconforming materials, coordination with internal departments, and final disposition direction for materials held in the RMA process.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in supplier quality assurance, quality assurance, manufacturing quality, or a related role.
Familiarity with quality management systems, standards, audit practices, and supplier quality expectations.
Advanced understanding of quality assurance methodologies, inspection practices, corrective action processes, and continuous improvement methods.
Proven experience conducting supplier audits, assessments, reviews, or quality investigations.
Familiarity with regulatory requirements, compliance standards, manufacturing processes, and related quality standards.
Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and root cause analysis skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, including the ability to work with suppliers and internal cross-functional teams in a professional and constructive manner.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, supplier issues, and follow-up actions simultaneously.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team while keeping leadership and affected departments informed.
Excellent organization, time management, documentation, and follow-up skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and basic computer navigation and utilization.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma principles, statistical analysis, and quality control tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage and support supplier quality assurance activity for externally sourced materials, components, and services.
Develop, maintain, and support quality control plans, supplier quality programs, and related processes for supplier-provided materials.
Ensure suppliers adhere to applicable quality standards, regulatory requirements, compliance expectations, and HME quality requirements.
Conduct supplier audits, assessments, and reviews to evaluate compliance with quality standards, process expectations, and supplier performance requirements.
Support and coordinate supplier qualification and approval processes, including documentation, follow-up, and cross-functional communication.
Provide technical support and guidance to suppliers on quality-related matters, expectations, and corrective action requirements.
Collaborate with suppliers to address, contain, and resolve quality issues impacting materials, components, production, or delivery performance.
Conduct root cause analysis and support implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions for defective or nonconforming materials.
Work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement corrective and preventive actions that reduce recurrence and improve supplier performance.
Own and manage the RMA process for supplier-related defective, nonconforming, or rejected materials.
Coordinate RMA communication with suppliers, Purchasing, Warehouse, Production, Quality, and Engineering as needed to ensure material status, supplier response, and next steps are clearly understood.
Maintain visibility of materials placed in the RMA bucket, including open items, supplier authorization status, return requirements, replacement expectations, credit status, and aging items.
Provide final disposition direction for RMA materials, including return to supplier, scrap, rework, use-as-is with approval, replacement, or credit, in coordination with appropriate internal stakeholders.
Ensure RMA records, supplier responses, corrective actions, and material disposition decisions are properly documented and communicated.
Analyze supplier quality data, metrics, and performance trends to identify risks, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement.
Monitor and report on supplier quality performance, key performance indicators, corrective action status, and continuous improvement activity.
Maintain and update supplier quality documentation, records, audit results, performance data, corrective action records, and related quality files.
Participate in supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives to improve supplier quality, responsiveness, and material reliability.