Supplier Quality Engineer

*POSITION SUMMARY:* Champion supplier activities (domestic and internationally) in areas including but not limited to supplier development, pre-launch PPAP activities, supplier audit/assessments, quality claim negotiation/management, continuous improvement and root cause analysis/countermeasure activities.
*PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:* •Ensure suppliers adhere to Seiren North America (SNA) policies as defined in Supplier Quality Manual.
•Review, maintain and update SNA Supplier Quality Manual as necessary for continuous improvement.
•Maintain continuous dialogue with various internal departments to understand suppliers’ on-going performance related to quality, delivery, service and cost.
•Provide Supplier Score Cards to report performance in areas of quality, delivery, service and cost once annually, at a minimum.
•Coordinate improvement activity to improve quality, delivery or service in a timely manner.
•Administrate, coordinate and cooperatively work with SNA departments to resolve issues including but not limited to yarn, dyestuff, chemicals, foam, backing, greige, woven and synthetic leather products.
•Support Production Control with activity related to internal import vendors including but not limited to direct dialogue with vendors, submission of samples, SMRRs and corrective actions.
•Own Supplier Material Rejection Report (SMRR) process in terms of issuing, following-up and tracking through to closure with accounting department.
•Travel (both domestically and internationally) on an as needed basis to work with suppliers to correct quality issues.
•Travel on as needed basis to SNA customers to understand quality issues as related to supplier product.
•Schedule meetings with suppliers to communicate and follow-up on quality issues.
•Develop strategy and champion activity to successfully obtain 100% financial payment of filed SMRR’s.
•Translate quality reports provided by Japanese and Spanish-speaking suppliers to English on as needed basis.
•Support Quality Engineer and/or General Manager Quality Assurance in presenting supplier corrective actions at customer.
•Champion supplier development activity to ensure successful product launches.
Ensure PPAP’s and related documentation are obtained, reviewed and approved prior to product transfer.
•Ensure certificates of analysis (COA’s) are obtained, reviewed and approved for each supplier part number on a per lot basis.
•Conduct supplier quality audits and/or self-assessments as deemed necessary.
•Conduct supplier readiness audits for new products on an as needed basis.
•Evaluate new suppliers from quality standpoint as necessary.
•Lead efforts to continually improve supplier approval process •Conduct self in professional manner and build/maintain a positive, open business relationship with suppliers.
•Maintain excellent documentation of all activities and conversations with suppliers including but not limited to meeting minutes and follow-up emails.
•Exhibit teamwork and a strong working relationship with other SNA employees.
•Support other requested tasks by immediate manager.
•Report vendor claim status on monthly basis in Monthly Sales and Production Meeting.
•Any other duties as requested by management.
*SKILLS REQUIRED:* •Basic computer skills with proficiency in MS Word and Excel.
•Strong written and verbal communication skills (Clear and effective).
•Ability to negotiate effectively and in a professional manner.
•Leadership and organizational skills with the ability to effectively handle and prioritize multiple work assignments.
•Self-motivated with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
*QUALIFICATIONS:* •Education: 4 year college degree (technical field of study preferred).
•Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
•Ability to work flexible hours as needed.
•Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
•Effective negotiation skills.
•Strong written and verbal communication skills.
*SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:* •Has no direct report.
*PHYSICAL DEMANDS:* The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
•Be able to sit, stand, or walk for long periods in an office environment and production areas.
(Ergonomics knowledge is a plus for limbering exercises during working hours) the department will support an ergonomic workstation with approval of management or/and medical personnel retained by SNA as needed.
•Medium lifting required from time to time, (75 lbs) shoulder height.
•Bending over to floor level and reaching above the head to obtain items of not more than 10 lbs.
to 35 lbs.
•Some exposure to heat and cold temperature not to exceed & maintain (40 degrees to 100degrees).
These temperatures will not be for long periods of time.
(Defined as: Less than fifteen minutes at any of the extremes of cold and hot) •Repetitive movement will sometimes be ongoing for long periods.
(Defined as: Two and one-half hours to three and one-half hours at a time then break and repeat.
).
*WORK ENVIRONMENT:* The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position will normally be in an office/inside environment and in a manufacturing plant.
Job Type: Full-time Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Life insurance * Vision insurance Experience level: * 5 years Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Monday to Friday Education: * Bachelor's (Preferred) Work Location: In person