Supplier Quality Engineer

US Tsubaki Automotive • Portland, TN

9h

About The Position

The TSUBAKI name is synonymous with excellence in quality, dependability, and customer service. U.S. Tsubaki Automotive, LLC is an international tier-one supplier of high-speed chain drive systems to the automotive industry. The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) works directly with Tier Two suppliers to ensure compliance with Quality System requirements and to drive continuous improvement across the supply base. This role performs supplier audits, leads corrective action activities, and evaluates supplier performance against established standards. The SQE coordinates closely with Manufacturing and Quality Assurance on issues impacting daily production and new product launches and is responsible for day to day Supplier Quality and Packaging Engineering functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; ASQ CQE certification preferred.
• 3–7 years of experience in supplier quality, packaging engineering, or manufacturing quality.
• Experience working directly with Tier One/Tier Two suppliers strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with APQP, PPAP, control plans, and process validation in a production environment.
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Strong organizational and planning skills; ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with extreme attention to detail.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with ERP and customer/supplier portals.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Travel domestically up to 50%, with volume fluctuating based on project and supplier needs; occasional international travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Supply Chain desirable.
• Leadership experience (formal or informal) in driving cross functional problem solving and supplier development is preferred.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles, project management, and ISO/IATF quality management system procedures is strongly desirable.
• Experience working directly with Tier One or Tier Two automotive suppliers is a plus.
• Proficient use of Statistical Process Control (SPC) tools and Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies to identify opportunities and drive improvements within the supplier base.
• Effective in control plan auditing and process verification.

Responsibilities

• Develop Supplier Quality expectations aligned with IATF 16949 (and related customer-specific) requirements.
• Review supplier compliance with Quality System standards and document supplier performance using established metrics and reporting tools.
• Build process expertise for supplier operations, with a focus on critical commodities such as powdered metals, plastics, aluminum die casting, and cast iron.
• Monitor and report occurrences related to supply base non conformities and drive effective containment, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 20–30 automotive Tier Two suppliers while continuously strengthening relationships between U.S. Tsubaki Automotive (USTA) and the supply base.
• Plan, conduct, and document periodic supplier audits based on risk (high, medium, low) and follow up to verify completion and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Manage, maintain, and improve the USTA Supplier Development and Monitoring scoring system to ensure alignment with performance expectations and customer requirements.
• Track, record, and ensure closure of corrective actions, including those associated with official OEM complaints, SCARs, and other formal customer notifications.
• Develop strong, collaborative relationships and clear lines of communication with Tier Two suppliers, emphasizing a partnership approach rather than a transactional customer–supplier mindset.
• Coordinate internal packaging requirements and maintain data within customer packaging databases and portals.
• Create and maintain packaging work instructions, and coordinate packaging trials with internal departments and customers to validate functionality, quality, and logistics requirements.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams (Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics) to address supplier-related issues and support new product introductions, engineering changes, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Utilize quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, SPC) to prevent quality issues and proactively improve supplier process capability and performance.
• Lead and/or support continuous improvement projects with suppliers to reduce variation, improve quality, and lower the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
• Prepare and deliver reports, presentations, and status updates regarding supplier performance, audit results, and improvement activities to management and cross functional stakeholders.
• Other tasks, functions and projects as assigned.

Benefits

• U.S. Tsubaki offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including health benefits effective on date of hire, dental and vision benefits effective on the first of the month following date of hire, Paid Time Off ("PTO"), 10 paid holidays, generous 401(k) match and profit sharing, annual bonus potential, life insurance, short and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, education reimbursement, home and auto insurance discounts, and pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level