Supplier Quality Engineer

Dexter Career•Elk Grove Village, IL

79d

About The Position

Dexter Magnetic Technologies supplies specialized magnetic solutions and components to demanding applications in the medical, aerospace, defense, semiconductor manufacturing, oil and gas, and industrial end markets. Dexter’s engineers solve complex customer problems with innovative solutions, winning business based on quality, customer support, and application engineering expertise. The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for developing, monitoring, and improving supplier quality and manufacturing performance within a high-mix, low-volume machining and assembly environment. This role manages suppliers supporting precision machining, plating/coating, grinding, magnets, raw materials, and other critical manufacturing processes. The SQE partners with Purchasing, Engineering, Operations, and suppliers to drive corrective actions, process capability, continuous improvement, cost reduction, and supply-chain reliability.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, or related technical field preferred.
5+ years of supplier quality, manufacturing quality, supplier development, or related engineering experience.
Experience supporting a high-mix, low-volume machining and assembly manufacturing environment.
Strong working knowledge of precision machining, grinding, plating/coating, special processes, and/or magnet manufacturing preferred.
Demonstrated experience with supplier corrective actions, root-cause analysis, supplier audits, and supplier development.
Experience developing supplier scorecards and leading supplier performance reviews.
Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FAI, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, 8D, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
Strong communication, analytical, problem-solving, and supplier relationship skills; ability to travel to suppliers as required.

Responsibilities

Manage supplier quality performance for precision machining, plating/coating, grinding, magnet, raw material, and outside-processing suppliers.
Assess supplier manufacturing capability, quality systems, capacity, process controls, and overall risk through audits, site visits, and performance reviews.
Develop supplier improvement plans focused on quality, delivery, process capability, lead time, responsiveness, and operational performance.
Support qualification and development of new suppliers and processes, including technical reviews, first article requirements, and production readiness.
Lead supplier corrective action activities for quality escapes, recurring defects, process failures, and customer-related issues.
Drive structured problem solving using 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, Pareto, and other root-cause methodologies.
Review and approve supplier corrective actions and verify effectiveness to prevent recurrence.
Coordinate containment, sorting, rework, replacement, and recovery activities when supplier issues impact production or customers.
Partner with suppliers to improve machining, grinding, plating/coating, magnet manufacturing, inspection, and special-process controls.
Review drawings, specifications, inspection methods, control plans, process flows, PFMEAs, capability studies, and measurement systems as applicable.
Support PPAP/FAI or equivalent supplier qualification requirements based on product and customer needs.
Work cross-functionally with Engineering and Operations to resolve supplier-related technical and manufacturability issues.
Develop and maintain supplier scorecards covering Quality, Delivery, Responsiveness, Corrective Action, and Continuous Improvement.
Monitor supplier PPM/defect rates, OTD, corrective-action closure, repeat issues, and other supplier KPIs.
Lead supplier performance reviews and establish recovery plans for underperforming suppliers.
Use supplier performance data to support supplier segmentation, sourcing decisions, development priorities, and risk mitigation.
Lead joint supplier Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives to improve cost, quality, manufacturability, and lead time.
Facilitate supplier workshops to identify process improvements, material alternatives, specification optimization, and waste reduction opportunities.
Partner with Purchasing and Engineering to evaluate and implement supplier-driven cost-reduction and productivity ideas.
Promote Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement throughout the supply base.