Supplier Quality Engineer

Summary

As a Supplier Quality Engineer at Powerex, you will hold a pivotal position in upholding and elevating the quality of our products through close collaboration with our suppliers. Your key responsibilities will include establishing and enforcing quality standards, conducting audits, fostering collaboration across various teams, and spearheading ongoing improvement endeavors within our supplier network.

These duties are essential to maintaining high-quality standards and fostering collaborative relationships with suppliers to ensure the overall success of the organization.

Who We Are

Powerex has become a leader in vacuum and air systems through our foundation built on engineering, innovation, quality, and service.  We are a highly integrated operation where we not only assemble systems, but we also manufacture many of the major components.  We are committed to providing the best value in the market we serve by applying these pillars of our foundation in every system we build.

Essential Duties

• Monitor and analyze supplier performance data, detecting trends, and collaboratively addressing any deviations or issues with suppliers.
• Work closely with the Purchasing team to assess potential new suppliers, evaluating their capabilities against our quality benchmarks.
• Establish and uphold supplier quality standards, guidelines, and requirements in line with company quality objectives and industry regulations.
• Lead and engage in cross-functional teams to tackle quality issues related to suppliers, employing problem-solving methodologies like root cause analysis, and 5 Whys.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Design teams in supplier selection, ensuring alignment between supplier capabilities and product specifications.
• Implement and oversee Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), driving suppliers to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurring quality issues.
• Lead and participate in the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) with critical customers, ensuring suppliers develop their design and production processes to meet necessary requirements.
• Foster continuous improvement initiatives within the supplier network to enhance quality, efficiency, and overall performance.
• Develop and deliver training programs for suppliers on quality standards, processes, and requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, & Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality Management, or a related field.
•  3-5 years of experience in Quality Engineering and/or related roles within the manufacturing industry.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems, industry standards (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.), and quality tools (SPC, FMEA, Control Plans, etc.).
• Proficiency in problem-solving methodologies such as Lean, and root cause analysis.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel for supplier visits, (average 15%-20%, (most suppliers are local) audits, and meetings as required. (When traveling you are home on weekends. The average travel time is 2-3 days)
• Knowledge of controls and electromechanical designs is desired.
• Must be Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision and make autonomous decisions.
• Conduct regular supplier audits to evaluate adherence to quality standards, pinpoint areas for enhancement, and guarantee effective implementation of corrective measures.

Work Conditions

While carrying out responsibilities in the Plant or Warehouse, employees may be exposed to noise. Typically, the noise level is moderate, although hearing protection may be necessary in specific designated areas.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements outlined here are indicative of those necessary for an employee to effectively carry out the essential duties of this role. During the course of performing job responsibilities, the employee may occasionally need to stand, walk, or sit. They will utilize their hands to manipulate objects, tools, or controls, extend their arms and hands to reach, negotiate stairs, maintain balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, as well as communicate verbally or through listening.

Frequent sitting and prolonged use of a computer keyboard and mouse are typical aspects of this position. Additionally, the employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

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Company

Powerex is a thriving and expanding company that has demonstrated remarkable growth over the past decade. As a frontrunner in vacuum and air systems, we cater to various critical sectors such as Healthcare Facilities, Laboratories, Electric Vehicles, and Food & Beverage processing. Our success is attributed to our strong engineering base, innovative approach, unwavering commitment to quality, and exceptional service standards.

At Powerex, we operate as a tightly integrated team, engaging in both system assembly and the manufacturing of key components. Our dedication to excellence is evident in every system we produce, as we consistently apply our foundational principles of engineering, innovation, quality, and service to deliver unparalleled value to our customers. We are actively seeking individuals with high potential to join our dynamic team as we continue to expand our operations. Powerex is proud to be a part of the esteemed Berkshire Hathaway family of companies.