Continuous Improvement Staff Engineer
Why you should join:
Disclaimer: This role requires regular travel, including international trips, approximately 50–75% of the time.
As a Continuous Improvement Staff Engineer, you will play a key role in elevating supplier performance by building resilient partnerships with targeted new and existing suppliers. Your mission is to drive excellence across Quality, Delivery, Cost, Technology, and Sustainability, in alignment with our strategic goals.
Your role will include conducting current-state assessments of supplier operations, identifying areas for improvement, and securing supplier management commitment to close performance gaps. You will champion the adoption of Lean Manufacturing principles, ensuring suppliers deliver year-over-year improvements in Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
Acting as a subject matter expert, you will provide training in Lean Manufacturing, Problem Solving methodologies, and Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3) to internal Procurement and Supplier Quality teams, leveraging your deep expertise in Lean principles and operational excellence.
Your main tasks:
- Define and execute Supplier Integration Programs at selected suppliers to drive performance improvement and alignment with strategic goals.
- Conduct Potential Analyses for new suppliers using VDA 6.3 methodology to assess readiness and capability.
- Perform Supplier Integration Assessments and lead workshops under the Integration Program to achieve QCDTS (Quality, Cost, Delivery, Technology, Sustainability) targets.
- Verify CQI certifications and conduct CQI audits where applicable to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Support supplier QMS compliance with IATF 16949, including transitions from ISO 9001 to IATF where required.
- Monitor supplier performance throughout the Supplier Development Program and collaborate with Procurement to manage escalations.
- Train internal experts within the Supplier Quality (SQ) function on Lean tools and principles to build organizational capability.
- Own the Supplier Academy and Onboarding Process for Quality, ensuring consistent training and integration of new suppliers.
- Enhance tooling and technical skill capabilities within the SQ team, focusing on key commodities and manufacturing processes.
- Act as a subject matter expert in Lean Manufacturing, leading value stream mapping and flow analysis workshops at supplier sites.
- Lead Supplier Improvement Workshops in collaboration with Procurement SDE and Centers of Excellence (CoE), identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities through waste reduction, CoPQ minimization, cycle time optimization, and improved process flow.
Your ideal profile:
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum 5 years of experience in Automotive Quality Management; experience in Procurement is a plus
- At least 5 years of hands-on experience in Lean Manufacturing environments
- Certified VDA 6.3 (2023 version) and IATF 16949 2nd party auditor
- Expert knowledge of:
- VDA 6.3, IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14000
- Lean Manufacturing tools and principles
- Automotive Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC)
- Proficiency in problem-solving methodologies: 8D, PDCA, A3, DMAIC, SPS, 5-Why, Ishikawa, Fault Tree Analysis
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent experience
- Strong tooling and technical skills aligned with key commodities and manufacturing processes (e.g., molding, stamping, plating, die casting, mechanical assembly, PAB/PCBA)
- Auditor skills aligned with ISO 19011, Automotive Process Approach, and Risk-Based Thinking
- Basic knowledge of SAP (Quality Module) and GD&T
- Strong presentation, communication, negotiation, and coaching/training skills
- Ability to work effectively across cultures and geographies
- Fluent in English (spoken, written, and listening)
Additional Requirements
- This role requires regular travel, including international trips, approximately 50–75% of the time.
- You must be independent, self-driven, and able to collaborate effectively across functions, countries, and regions in a dynamic, matrixed environment.
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