Tristaff Group is partnering with our client in a search for Supplier Quality Engineer in their San Diego office.  This position ensures the quality and reliability of the products and components provided by our client’s suppliers.  They are also tasked with communicating with the supply chain to build relationships and continually improve the quality of material received as well as investigate, analyze, and resolve supplier quality problems by conducting audits, analyzing non-conforming material trends, and managing supplier corrective actions. Leads continuous improvement projects with the supply chain.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage the supplier approval process and maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL)
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate and qualify potential new suppliers, ensuring their capabilities meet quality requirements.
• Conduct regular supplier audits to assess compliance with client’s Quality Management System, (QMS) processes, and specifications.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, fostering effective communication, and promoting a culture of quality excellence and continuous improvement.
• Establish specific supplier quality goals and work with suppliers to continually improve.
• Lead supplier development activities, including providing guidance, support, and training to suppliers to enhance their quality systems and processes.
• Issue and monitor supplier corrective action as needed. Champion problem solving and root cause analysis activities with suppliers to eliminate recurrence of non conformances.
• Collaborate with internal teams, such as Engineering, Manufacturing, and Purchasing, to resolve quality issues and implement supplier-driven improvement projects.
• Represent the Quality Department in the MRB process and work with Engineering and Operations and other departments as needed to determine disposition of non-conforming material.
• Monitor and analyze supplier performance metrics, including defect rates, delivery reliability, and responsiveness, and drive improvement initiatives as necessary.
• Analyze Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ) metrics, and drive improvement initiatives as needed.
• Present supplier performance metrics to executive management during management review and discuss trends and action plans.
• Participate in regulatory audits and lead the supply chain portion of the audits.
• Work with the supply chain to ensure material received complies with applicable restricted substance lists such as RoHS and REACH. Also, maintain client’s conflict minerals reporting.
• Stay up-to-date with industry best practices, emerging trends, and regulations related to supplier quality management and incorporate them into the company's processes and procedures.
• Additional tasks as assigned by the Quality department leadership.

Required Experience and Capabilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, or bachelor’s degree in a business-related field plus CQE certification.
• Proven experience in supplier quality engineering or a similar role within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in conducting supplier audits.
• Experienced in managing supplier performance metrics, and trend analysis.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to perform root cause analysis and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100) and quality tools and methodologies (e.g., Pareto Analysis, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC).
• Attention to detail, with a focus on ensuring product quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Must have strong organizational skills and be able to function independently of direct supervision.
• A valid driver’s license in good standing and the ability to travel abroad is required.
• 2+ years of experience working with suppliers in a manufacturing environment.