Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer, Global Material Transitions
At Watlow's Advanced Technology Center in St. Louis, Missouri, we bring together engineering, quality, and supply chain expertise to support Watlow's operations around the world. Part of a global thermal solutions leader founded in 1922, our heaters, sensors, and controls power industries like semiconductor, aerospace, energy, and industrial equipment.
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We are hiring a: Senior Supplier Quality Engineer, Global Material Transitions
St. Louis, MO OR Columbia, MO
Watlow is seeking a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer, Global Material Transitions who will serve as our enterprise Supplier Quality Engineering lead for global direct material transfers between suppliers and plants. This individual will evaluate and audit new suppliers, own the approval and release of new materials across many simultaneous projects, and help our global supply base build the capability to meet Watlow's expectations. They will work closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, and other cross-functional partners, and will report to the Senior Supplier Quality Engineering Manager. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on supplier quality experience, strong auditing skills, and the ability to keep many projects moving at once. This role includes up to 50% domestic and international travel.
What you'll do:
Supplier transitions: Serve as the enterprise SQE lead on Supply Chain projects, evaluating and auditing new suppliers for global direct material transfers between suppliers and plants.
Material approval & release: Lead the evaluation, approval, and release of new materials across numerous simultaneous projects, partnering with internal cross-functional teams.
Supplier development: Deploy Watlow requirements to suppliers, identify gaps, and work alongside them to build the capability to meet expectations.
Performance management: Use supplier performance data and sourcing strategies to target improvement areas and drive better supplier performance.
Change control: Make sure suppliers understand and apply Watlow's change control requirements through annual training and conformance audits.
Corrective action: Lead major and escalated supplier corrective actions, ensuring a thorough 8D is defined and executed by the supplier and appropriate action is taken on the Watlow side.
Continuous improvement: Continuously improve and implement updates to SQE operating procedures.
What you'll need to succeed?
B.S. degree in engineering, manufacturing, or a related technical discipline
5+ years in a Supplier Quality, Quality Assurance, or Supply Chain role
5+ years in an engineering/design or manufacturing/process role
Expertise applying and executing 8D, PPAP, APQP, control plans, and other quality tools
Auditing experience, including quality system elements, process audits, and on-site PPAP reviews
Strong problem-solving skills and expertise with root cause corrective action tools
Working knowledge of a registered ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
Ability to lead, coach, and communicate with all levels of a supplier's organization, from operator to President/CEO
Capable of representing the supplier quality function during customer audits and project work
Desire and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50%
Preferred qualifications:
Project management experience, including phased launch processes and integration of SQE activities
Oracle ERP experience; development of quality management tools a plus
A supplier advocate who stays focused on Watlow and customer needs
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts and tools
Ability to understand and apply engineering specifications, prints, drawings, and standards
Ability to recognize potential safety issues during supplier visits
Comfort communicating directly with customers in audits and report outs
Familiarity with Watlow products: heaters, sensors, and controls