Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Title:

Supplier Quality Engineer Job Description The Supplier Quality Engineer ensures successful launch and ongoing quality performance of new tooled end items by leading supplier engagement, advanced product quality planning, and production part approval activities. This role serves as a key liaison between suppliers and internal cross-functional teams, driving readiness assessments, resolving quality issues, and securing on-time PPAP approvals to support program milestones and build events. Responsibilities Identify all new tooled end items for the program, including parts under multi-party agreements and directed tier 2 suppliers, and maintain complete and accurate part information. Represent suppliers and act as their advocate in cross-functional meetings, ensuring their readiness, constraints, and risks are clearly communicated and addressed. Develop and maintain a program-specific New Tooled End Item (NTEI) file containing all pertinent part number information. Load and maintain program data in the eAPQP system, including late starters, design changes, VPP updates, and other program-specific updates. Obtain site codes for each NTEI from Program Purchasing to initiate eAPQP Schedule A submission requests. Lead priority supplier selection using the GPDS Priority filter, facilitate concurrence with Product Development, Purchasing, and Site Supplier Technical Assistance (STA), and formally notify selected suppliers. Lead the Supplier Champion process using the Supplier Champion filter, driving agreement with Product Development, Purchasing, and Site STA on supplier selection. Train suppliers and cross-functional team members as needed on the Supplier Engagement Process and

APQP/PPAP

Readiness Assessment, including Advanced Product Quality Planning and Production Part Approval Process requirements. Manage and track on-time completion of GPDS priority supplier team evaluations, ensuring all required assessments are completed according to program timelines. Track PPAP and Schedule A external supplier

APQP/PPAP

Readiness Assessment status and submission requirements to the Site STA organization and supply base. Prepare standard documentation for all milestone reviews, Special Attention Reviews (SAR), and

OESAR/NML

assessments to support program gates and approvals. Drive resolution of all YELLOW and RED deliverables with cross-functional team members, ensuring issues are contained, actions are assigned, and closure is verified. Participate in Program Activity Team (PAT), Program Steering Team (PST), and Program Module Team (PMT) change control meetings to stay aligned with program direction and changes. Collaborate with Component Program Module Team (CPMT) leaders and Purchasing Program Managers to understand program changes that impact launch and supplier readiness. Support NMP Part Pedigree meetings and develop Parts Pedigree Risk and Industrialization Readiness Assessments prior to each build for review with STA leadership. Aggressively manage and review phased PPAP status and timing plans to ensure on-time phased PPAP approvals for all relevant parts. Arrange and lead cross-functional meetings to resolve PPAP issues, manage action plans, and ensure on-time Part Submission Warrant (PSW) approvals. Proactively monitor, manage, and escalate significant issues that inhibit supplier PPAP completion or create launch risks, ensuring stakeholders are informed and engaged. Drive on-time PPAP completion through Open-to-Go (OTG) meetings, aligning PPAP timing with eAPQP, and communicating PSW status and delinquencies to Site STA and the program team. Provide onsite STA launch support for build events such as Design Completion Verification (DCV) builds, PCF/TCB builds, and fixture/trim coordination builds. Drive resolution of supplier quality issues raised through the Automated Issues Management System (AIMS), leading containment, 8D problem-solving, and follow-up on interim and permanent corrective actions (ICA/PCA). Engage Incoming Quality, Site, or Resident STA engineers as needed for AIMS issues related to carryover parts to ensure effective containment and resolution. Support startup meetings and quality-related activities such as FCPA, consumer product audits, Voice of Customer Fleet (VOCF) reviews, campaign prevention efforts, craftsmanship reviews, DEMS/Hard Rocks reviews, shortage meetings, and white board reviews. Essential Skills Demonstrated manufacturing experience, with a strong understanding of production processes and shop-floor practices. Demonstrated quality experience, including hands-on involvement with quality systems, defect analysis, and corrective action implementation. Cross-functional and cross-cultural work experience, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams such as Product Development, Purchasing, STA, and suppliers. Program management experience, including coordination of activities, timeline management, and status tracking across multiple stakeholders. Supplier quality engineering experience, particularly in managing new tooled end items and supplier launch readiness. Proficiency in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), including planning, execution, and readiness assessments. Strong knowledge and practical experience with Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), including documentation, submissions, phased approvals, and PSW management. Experience with structured problem-solving methodologies, including 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action planning. Familiarity with Six Sigma Green Belt-level concepts and tools, particularly as they relate to problem solving and process improvement. Experience providing technical assistance to suppliers, including coaching on requirements, processes, and quality expectations. Ability to interpret and manage data within eAPQP or similar

APQP/PPAP

tracking systems. Strong communication skills to advocate for suppliers, lead cross-functional meetings, and present status at reviews and build events. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience in supplier engagement processes, including supplier selection using priority and champion filters. Exposure to GPDS or similar product development systems and processes. Experience preparing documentation for milestone reviews, Special Attention Reviews (SAR), and

OESAR/NML

assessments. Familiarity with AIMS or comparable automated issue management systems for tracking and resolving quality concerns. Experience supporting launch activities and build events, including DCV builds, PCF/TCB builds, and fixture/trim coordination. Experience in conducting or supporting parts pedigree risk assessments and industrialization readiness assessments. Experience participating in or supporting startup meetings, consumer product audits, Voice of Customer Fleet activities, and campaign prevention initiatives. Understanding of craftsmanship, DEMS, Hard Rocks, and shortage management processes within a manufacturing or automotive environment. Any formal Six Sigma Green Belt certification is advantageous. Any prior experience in STA (Supplier Technical Assistance) or similar supplier quality/launch support roles is beneficial. Work Environment The role operates in a dynamic, cross-functional environment that bridges suppliers, manufacturing sites, and internal engineering and purchasing teams. You will work extensively with digital tools such as eAPQP systems, issue management platforms like AIMS, and various program management and review systems to track

APQP/PPAP

status, milestones, and launch readiness. The position involves regular participation in program meetings (PAT, PST, PMT, CPMT) and launch-related reviews, as well as onsite support at manufacturing or build facilities during key events such as DCV builds, PCF/TCB builds, and fixture/trim coordination builds. The work setti