Supplier Development and Quality Engineer

VAT Group AG; Haag; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Group AG is seeking a Supplier Development and Quality Engineer to ensure supplier product and process quality for machining and welding in line with VAT specifications, standards and customer requirements. You will drive supplier qualification, industrialization and ramp-up, and address risk mitigation to support VAT's growth and ensure stable material availability.

The role involves auditing suppliers, leading 8D investigations, coordinating with Engineering and Supply Chain, and guiding

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering.
• 5–10+ years in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or supplier development.
• Strong background in machining and welding quality and related manufacturing processes.
• Experience with ISIR, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, Control Plans and process validation.
• Ability to work in international matrix organizations with regular supplier travel.

Responsibilities

• Own supplier qualification and development for machining and welding suppliers globally.
• Assess supplier capability, process maturity, production capacity and readiness for serial production.
• Drive supplier development, industrialization and ramp up activities with clear action ownership.
• Support relocations, second source implementation and qualification projects.
• Train suppliers in VAT requirements, standards, technologies and process expectations.
• Lead supplier complaints, root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D methodology.
• Review and approve ISIR, PPAP and process qualification documentation.
• Monitor supplier KPIs, process capability and risk trends; define improvement actions with suppliers and procurement.
• Plan and perform system and process audits for machining, welding and manufacturing controls.
• Audit CNC turning, milling, grinding, multi-axis machining, TIG, orbital, laser and vacuum soldering.
• Drive closure and effectiveness verification of audit findings.
• Support supplier related Change Requests, customer escalations and shortage prevention with technical risk assessments.
• Lead supplier recovery actions, including capability assessments, material risk assessments and top management escalation support.
• Define and drive actions to secure material availability in close alignment with Engineering, Operations and Strategic Sourcing.

Skills

Strong communication

Project management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Problem solving

ISO 9001 / ISO 3834 knowledge

International travel

8D / corrective action

GC&T understanding

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

GD&T understanding

Process qualification

Job description

Supplier Development and Quality Engineer

Purpose of the role: Ensure supplier product and process quality for machining, welding in line with VAT specifications, standards and customer requirements. Drive supplier qualification, industrialization, ramp up, risk mitigation and recovery actions to support VAT's growth strategy and stable material availability.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Supplier quality performance for assigned suppliers, including QPPM target achievement
• Timely supplier and process qualification for relocations and second sources
• Effective closure of complaints, audits, corrective actions and escalation recovery activities

Responsibilities

• Own supplier qualification and development for machining and welding suppliers globally
• Assess supplier capability, process maturity, production capacity and readiness for serial production
• Drive supplier development, industrialization and ramp up activities with clear action ownership
• Support relocations, second source implementation and qualification projects
• Train suppliers in VAT requirements, standards, technologies and process expectations
• Lead supplier complaints, root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D methodology
• Review and approve ISIR, PPAP and process qualification documentation
• Monitor supplier KPIs, process capability and risk trends; define improvement actions with suppliers and procurement
• Plan and perform system and process audits for machining, welding and manufacturing controls
• Audit CNC turning, milling, grinding, multi-axis machining, TIG, orbital, laser and vacuum soldering processes
• Drive closure and effectiveness verification of audit findings
• Support supplier related Change Requests, customer escalations and shortage prevention with technical risk assessments
• Lead supplier recovery actions, including capability assessments, material risk assessments and top management escalation support
• Define and drive actions to secure material availability in close alignment with Engineering, Operations and Strategic Sourcing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or similar
• 5 to 10+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering or supplier development
• Strong background in machining and welding quality, manufacturing, engineering, or supplier development
• Experience in supplier audits, process qualification, ramp up and corrective action management
• Practical experience with supplier relocations, second sources or supplier recovery situations
• Good understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 3834 and semiconductor customer requirements
• Ability to work in international matrix organizations with regular supplier travel
• Strong communication, negotiation, project management and stakeholder management skills
• High level of resilience, ownership and flexibility
• Familiarity with CNC machining technologies: turning, milling, grinding, multi-axis machining
• Familiarity with welding technologies: TIG, orbital, laser and vacuum soldering
• Technical drawing interpretation, GD&T and specification review
• Experience with ISIR, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, Control Plans and process validation
• Root cause analysis skills: 8D, 5 Why, corrective action effectiveness verification
• Process validation and capability analysis (Cp, Cpk) and KPI monitoring
• Supplier auditing, process assessments and risk-based supplier development
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 3834 and manufacturing process control
• Project management, stakeholder management and escalation handling

Work Location

9469 Haag (Rheintal) (SG)

Employment

• Workload: 100%
• Employment start: Immediately
• Employment duration: Permanent