Supplier Quality Engineer

nVent•Blaine, MN

2d•$76,000 - $141,100•Onsite

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Engineer serves as a key partner among suppliers, operations, engineering, program teams, and customers to ensure product quality and a reliable supply chain. The role leads supplier quality management, resolves supplier issues, develops supplier capabilities, supports product and process quality activities, and drives continuous improvement. The position includes visits to supplier locations, with up to 30% travel. The engineer leads root cause and corrective action activities, manages supplier corrective actions, and verifies their effectiveness and sustainability. The role also supports APQP and PPAP activities for new product introductions and engineering changes, and works with suppliers on process capability studies, FMEA reviews, and control plans. The position maintains supplier quality documentation and supports compliance with applicable environmental, health, safety, and quality standards. nVent describes a global organization focused on electrical connection and protection solutions, employee inclusion, community support, and benefits for eligible full-time employees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related field.
At least 4 years of experience in supplier quality-related functions.
Solid understanding of APQP, PPAP, SPC, process capability studies, FMEA, control plans, and GD&T.
Proficiency in root cause analysis investigations, such as RCCA, 8D, and 3L5Y.

Nice To Haves

Quality certifications such as CQE, CMQ, or CQA.
Training as an ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary liaison between suppliers, program teams, production, and customers to resolve supplier quality issues and improve performance.
Lead daily supplier quality management activities and identify and escalate risks.
Build supplier partnerships through regular engagement and performance reviews.
Visit supplier locations and work with supplier teams to develop and strengthen quality systems; travel may be up to 30%.
Participate in supplier assessments, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Coach, mentor, and train suppliers on quality-related matters.
Lead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities for supplier quality issues.
Issue and manage supplier corrective actions, evaluate their effectiveness and sustainability, and verify and validate actions to prevent recurrence.
Assess supplier performance and recommend actions to improve supplier relationships and quality outcomes.
Communicate the urgency and business impact of quality concerns to suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Work with customers and cross-functional teams to understand requirements, mitigate risks, and ensure uninterrupted product quality.
Support APQP and PPAP activities for new product introductions and engineering changes.
Partner with suppliers on process capability studies, FMEA reviews, and control plan development and validation.
Lead supplier quality improvement initiatives and support a zero-defect mindset.
Champion supplier development efforts, including Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma projects.
Identify opportunities to improve quality, reduce costs, and increase supply-chain efficiency.
Maintain supplier quality documentation, audit reports, and supplier performance records.
Support compliance with applicable environmental, health, safety, and quality standards.