Senior Supplier Development & Quality Engineer

VAT GROUP; Batu Kawan; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT GROUP is seeking a Senior Supplier Development & Quality Engineer to drive supplier improvement and qualification across major suppliers in Batu Kawan, Malaysia. The role focuses on metal parts secondary processes including coating and anodizing, with emphasis on delivering quality improvements and process optimization.

The candidate will manage supplier performance, lead change initiatives, and work with production teams to minimize line disruptions while ensuring compliance with VAT

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in mechanical/mechatronics engineering or equivalent.
• 8+ years in metal parts secondary processes (coating, anodizing).
• Experience in supplier management and change management.
• Experience with aluminium, stainless steel and standard parts.
• Strong analytical ability and ability to present results clearly.
• Experience with production line setup/validation and supplier qualification.
• Team player and self-starter with problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Head of SDQ to drive supplier improvement and qualification.
• Deploy VAT supplier standard across major suppliers.
• Lead supplier base to meet company requirements.
• Evaluate suppliers with selection criteria; audit capability assessments.
• Drive continuous process improvements and identify gaps at suppliers.
• Represent SDQ in management and escalation meetings.
• Handle supplier non-conformance and implement corrective actions.
• Provide data for supplier development status reporting.
• Ensure technical actions are validated for process improvements.
• Co-drive Supplier Quality Management Review with Category Management.
• Minimize production line disruptions and support production.
• Adhere to VAT rules and regulations.

Skills

Supplier management

Change management

Analytical ability

Problem solving

Team player

Self-starter

Process improvement

Contract manufacturers

M&E/P&E/E&E knowledge

Education

Engineering degree (mechanical, mechatronics)

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Power BI

Job description

Senior Supplier Development & Quality Engineer

Location: Batu Kawan, Malaysia

Employment Type: Permanent

Responsibilities

• Support Head of SDQ to drive supplier improvement, evaluation & qualification action.
• Deploy VAT supplier standard & processes effectively across major suppliers.
• Lead & deploy supplier base to support relevant company requirements.
• Evaluate and qualify suppliers based on selection criteria. Audit and perform supplier capability assessments according to Asia Supply Chain Growth Plan.
• Drive continuous process improvement & identify key gaps at suppliers. Main focus on non-machining suppliers, but not limited to raw materials, surface treatment (clear/hard anodizing/coating, cleaning level, heat treatment etc), M&E/P&E/E&E assembly. Includes supplier training on VAT-specific processes and standards.
• Represent SDQ Dept during management and escalation meetings.
• Perform supplier situation analysis and execute quality improvement plan. Pursue quality goals and implement and monitor improvement measures.
• Handle suppliers’ non-conformance and implement corrective actions.
• Feed technical & analytical data to support reporting of supplier development status.
• Ensure technical action is validated in the event of process improvement or escalation.
• Co‑drive Supplier Quality Management Review or Quarterly Business Review with Category Management.
• Ensure continuous support to production and minimize line disruptions by any means possible.
• Adhere to VAT’s rules and regulations.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, postgraduate or master’s degree in engineering (mechanical, mechatronics or equivalent).
• At least 8 years of working experience in the area of metal parts secondary process (coating, anodizing etc).
• Experience in supplier management and change management.
• Familiar with handling aluminium, standard parts & stainless steel.
• Demonstrated technical and analytical ability with high degree of professional acumen. Coupled with the ability to present results clearly and compellingly.
• Demonstrated experience with production line set‑up/validation, equipment selection/qualification, manufacturing approaches for high/low volume/mix, and working with contract manufacturers.
• Team player who works effectively in team or independent work environments.
• Self‑starter with the ability to adapt, critical thinking skills & problem solving.

Preferred Qualification

• Worked directly from complex blueprints, patterns, sketches, 2D/3D/steps files.
• Proficient in Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance (GD&T) and datum referencing.
• Experience in equipment & process enhancement to improve production efficiencies, manufacturing techniques and quality improvement.
• Familiar with Copy Exact! and Process Of Records (POR).
• Proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Power BI is an added advantage.

VAT is an equal opportunity employer.