Supply Chain Quality Engineer

API Heat Transfer•Buffalo, NY

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

API Heat Transfer is seeking a driven and highly organized Supply Chain Quality Engineer to develop, manage, and improve supplier quality performance across its supply chain. This position serves as the primary quality liaison between API and its suppliers, ensuring materials, components, and manufacturing processes consistently meet company requirements. This role requires frequent interaction with suppliers and includes travel to vendor facilities to conduct audits, assess manufacturing capabilities, certify suppliers, investigate quality concerns, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise, auditing experience, and the ability to build productive partnerships with suppliers while maintaining a focus on quality, compliance, and risk reduction.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical field.
Minimum 3 years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems.
Experience conducting supplier audits and supplier assessments.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, machining, fabrication, welding, castings, electrical components, and purchased materials.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
Frequent use of computers and office equipment.
Ability to travel to supplier facilities, manufacturing sites, and customer locations.
Ability to walk production floors and manufacturing environments.
Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
Ability to conduct inspections in industrial environments.

Nice To Haves

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and/or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
Lead Auditor certification.
Experience with supplier qualification and development programs.
Experience in manufacturing, heat transfer, industrial equipment, or engineered-to-order environments.
Knowledge of PPAP, APQP, FMEA, SPC, and MSA methodologies.
Experience with non-destructive examination (NDE); certified VT and/or PT Level I.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, qualify, and approve new suppliers through capability assessments and quality audits.
Conduct on-site supplier audits to verify compliance with API requirements, industry standards, and customer specifications.
Assess supplier manufacturing processes, quality systems, and technical capabilities.
Develop supplier improvement plans and monitor progress against established objectives.
Support supplier certification programs and ongoing supplier performance evaluations.
Establish and maintain supplier quality requirements, specifications, and expectations.
Analyze supplier performance metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.
Lead supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and verify effectiveness of implemented corrective actions.
Partner with suppliers to resolve non-conformances and recurring quality issues.
Drive root cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, and Pareto Analysis.
Support containment activities and recovery plans related to supplier quality concerns.
Review and approve supplier PPAPs, FAI documentation, inspection plans, and qualification packages as applicable.
Evaluate raw materials, components, and outsourced manufacturing processes for compliance with engineering and quality requirements.
Participate in material qualification and validation activities.
Ensure suppliers maintain required certifications and compliance documentation.
Identify and mitigate supplier-related quality risks.
Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to improve supplier performance and product quality.
Support supplier scorecard development and quarterly business reviews.
Recommend sourcing improvements based on supplier capability, quality performance, and risk assessments.
Participate in strategic initiatives aimed at improving supply chain reliability and quality.
Conduct supplier audits in accordance with ISO 9001 and company standards.
Ensure supplier compliance with contractual, customer, regulatory, and quality requirements.
Maintain supplier audit reports, qualification records, and corrective action documentation.
Support customer audits involving supplier quality and traceability requirements.