Section Manager (Supplier Quality Engineering)

Primary Roles

The Section Manager – Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) is responsible for leading and strengthening supplier quality performance across Makino Asia’s supply chain. This role serves as a critical frontline function within QA to drive quality at source, enhance supplier defect prevention capability, and ensure robust incoming quality control.

The position will support Makino's transition from reactive quality management to preventive, process-driven quality assurance, while ensuring alignment across regional factories and suppliers.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Management & Governance

• Lead supplier quality strategy and execution to improve supplier performance and reliability.
• Drive supplier defect reduction initiatives.
• Establish and enforce supplier quality governance, KPIs, and escalation frameworks.
• Manage Vendor Quality Index (VQI) tracking and deployment.

Incoming Quality Control (IQC) & Risk-Based Inspection

• Strengthen IQC processes for high-risk components through risk-based inspection models
• Oversee incoming inspection activities including: First Article (FA), sampling, and 100% inspection and Quality lot clearance and defect segregation.
• Ensure compliance to standardized SOPs and Control Plans across suppliers and factories.

Supplier Development & Audit

• Lead supplier audits, process validation, and capability assessments.
• Drive supplier corrective actions and ensure effective closure of non-conformances.
• Develop supplier capability improvement plans focusing on process robustness and defect prevention.
• Collaborate with SCM for supplier performance reviews (e.g., QBR support).

Field Issues & Corrective Feedback Loop

• Lead investigation of supplier-related field issues, defects, and rejection trends.
• Ensure effective feedback to suppliers and translation of field issues into process improvements.
• Support warranty and critical claim resolution through root cause analysis and corrective action.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:

o Supply Chain Management (SCM) for supplier performance and parts availability.

o Production / Assembly teams for incoming quality and defect containment.

o Quality Engineering (QE) for process improvements and failure analysis.

• Support cross-factory quality alignment initiatives (Yokoten / best practice sharing).

Process Improvement & Quality Transformation

• Drive transition from “firefighting” to preventive quality systems through:

o Risk-based QA checkpoints.

o Standardization of quality processes.

o Digitalization / data-driven quality monitoring.

• Lead or support QA-wide continuous improvement and Kaizen initiatives.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop a team of SQE engineers, technicians, and admin staff.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and performance management.
• Ensure effective manpower planning, resource allocation, and team competency development.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Monitor and report key SQE performance indicators:

o Supplier defect rates

o VQI trends

o Incoming quality performance

o AWC / Critical Claims linked to suppliers

• Prepare monthly reports and management updates for QA and senior leadership.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Quality Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in the precision manufacturing or machine tool industry.
• At least 3–5 years of leadership experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Assurance (QA), or Quality Engineering (QE).
• Strong expertise in: -Supplier Quality Management, Incoming Inspection Systems, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions, ISO 9001 and Quality Management Systems.