Senior Supplier Quality Engineer
Overview of Role:
The Senior Engineer – Supplier Quality Engineering located in Watlow’s Advanced Technology Center in St. Louis, Missouri, will be responsible for ensuring direct material manufacturing/quality readiness, and acceptable performance of the supply base through effective linkage, active involvement, evaluation, and continuous performance management of our global suppliers.
The engineer will report to Watlow’s Senior Supplier Quality Engineering Manager.
Key Responsibilities will include:
Support Supply Chain projects as enterprise Supplier Quality Engineering lead to evaluate/audit new Watlow suppliers for global direct material transfers between suppliers and plants
Lead new material evaluation, approval, and release process across numerous simultaneous projects. Collaborate with internal cross-functional partners
Deploy Watlow requirements to suppliers, identify gaps, and work with suppliers to develop the capability to meet expectations. Continuously improve and implement improvements to SQE operating procedures.
Utilize supplier performance data and sourcing strategies to target, define approach, and continuously improve supplier performance
Ensure suppliers understand and apply Watlow’s change control requirements through annual training and auditing supplier’s conformance to the requirement
Lead major/escalated supplier corrective action activity, ensuring thorough 8D has been defined and executed by supplier and Watlow has also taken appropriate action
Qualifications:
B.S. degree in an engineering, manufacturing, or applicable technical discipline
Five years working in a Supplier Quality, Quality Assurance, or Supply Chain role
Five years working in an engineering/design or manufacturing/process role
Working knowledge of registered ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System
The desire and ability to travel domestic and internationally, up to 50%
Auditing experience – quality system elements, process audits, on-site PPAP reviews, etc.
Expertise in applying and executing 8D, PPAP, APQP, Control Plans, and other quality tools
Expertise in Problem Solving and applying root cause corrective action tools
Ability to lead, coach, and communicate to all levels of a supplier’s organization (Operator to President/CEO)
Capable of representing supplier quality function during customer audits and project work
Ability to work independently, with remote supervision
Additional success factors:
Project Management experience, including phased launch process and integration of SQE activities
Oracle ERP experience; development of Quality management tools a plus
Being an advocate of the suppliers, but also remaining focused on Watlow and customer’s needs
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts and tools
Ability to recognize potential safety issues during supplier visits
Ability to communicate directly with customers relating to supplier quality function in audits, report outs, etc.
Understand and apply engineering specifications, prints, drawings, standards, etc.
Familiarity with products produced by Watlow; heaters, sensors, and controls
Demonstrate alignment to the Watlow Way Values, Behaviors, and Principles