Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer

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Experience: 3+ yrs

Location: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

Job Type: Full-time

We are looking for a Supplier Quality Engineer to drive supplier quality, new product development, localization, and continuous improvement initiatives across a diverse manufacturing supply base.

The role will work closely with suppliers and internal teams such as Engineering and Supply Chain to ensure suppliers meet defined quality requirements, achieve Right First Time (RFT) performance, and successfully deliver products through FAI and PPAP processes. The position will also focus on supplier development, process improvement, audits, and effective resolution of quality issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive new product development at supplier locations across fabrication, forging, machining, sheet metal, injection molding, casting, rubber, sub-assembly, and other standard BOPs.
• Lead supplier quality activities through APQP, FAI, and PPAP, with a focus on achieving Right First Time performance.
• Ensure successful localization of components in line with defined quality and project requirements.
• Conduct and support supplier assessments and audits, including audit planning, preparation, execution, reporting, corrective actions, and follow-up.
• Develop supplier improvement strategies and establish meaningful supplier performance metrics to monitor quality and delivery performance.
• Support Supply Chain/SCM teams in the supplier approval process by evaluating manufacturing capabilities, technologies, processes, and quality systems.
• Participate in new product launches and ensure timely FAI/PPAP approvals from suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes and work collaboratively with suppliers to implement process improvements and technology upgrades.
• Handle supplier-related non-conformances, including root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions.
• Apply quality improvement tools and methodologies such as CAPA, 7 QC Tools, PPAP, SPC, Poka-Yoke, Kaizen, and PFMEA.
• Coordinate with Engineering teams to ensure effective implementation of design and process changes at supplier locations.
• Ensure suppliers comply with applicable quality standards and Quality Management System (QMS)requirements.
• Support and guide suppliers in improving their inspection and testing capabilities.
• Work with quality inspection equipment and techniques such as CMM, magnetic particle inspection, video measuring systems, hardness testing, and contour tracing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and improve overall supplier performance.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• 3+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Vendor Quality, Quality Engineering, or a similar role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience working with suppliers involved in fabrication, forging, machining, sheet metal, injection molding, casting, rubber, and sub-assembly.
• Hands-on knowledge of APQP, FAI, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, CAPA, and supplier quality improvement methodologies.
• Practical experience in supplier audits, supplier assessment, corrective action management, and supplier development.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, process capability, inspection methods, and quality control techniques.
• Ability to evaluate supplier manufacturing technology, process capability, and quality systems.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and applicable quality standards.
• Experience handling supplier non-conformances, conducting root-cause analysis, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Good understanding of quality inspection equipment, including CMM, magnetic particle inspection, video measuring machines, hardness testers, and contour tracers.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering requirements and work collaboratively with Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and supplier teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• A proactive and hands-on approach toward supplier development, localization, continuous improvement, and Right First Time performance.
• Knowledge of chemical and mechanical testing of raw materials is an advantage.