Supplier Quality & Process Engineer - Lead Continuous Improvement

Challenge Manufacturing; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 73,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing in Holland, MI is seeking a Supplier Operations Engineer to strengthen supplier quality and lead continuous improvement initiatives within our IATF quality system. You will monitor supplier performance, drive root-cause investigations, and lead cross-functional teams to ensure products meet all specifications.

Travel up to 25% may be required. Responsibilities include root cause analysis, FMEA, SPC, and cross-functional project leadership to drive a zero-defect culture.

Qualifications

• Experience establishing, auditing, leading, and maintaining an IATF quality system.
• 5+ years in QE/SQE roles in manufacturing with IATF.
• Ability to read and interpret GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Experience with DFMEA, PFMEA, process control plans and technical process documentation.
• ASQ certification preferred; strong software skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Word).
• Up to 25% travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead root cause investigations and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Communicate performance metrics and expectations to suppliers for continuous improvement.
• Utilize AQP tools (FMEA, Control Plans, Process Mapping, Gage Studies, SPC).
• Lead cross-functional projects to support supplier readiness, capacity, cost reduction, and changes.
• Identify true root causes of non-conformances and ensure durable corrective actions.
• Develop inspection methods for incoming parts and communicate results to teams and suppliers.
• Lead training in quality tools (FMEA, SPC, DMAIC, MSA, statistics).
• Support design and improvement initiatives with training materials and methodologies.
• Assist manufacturing locations with supplier-related performance issues (8D, CS1/CS2).
• Participate in supplier audits and onboarding of new suppliers.
• Develop acceptance sampling within incoming supplier lots (ASQ/Z1.4).
• Review supplier metrics to drive zero-defect mentality.
• Drive preventative measures to minimize incoming defects.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Supplier communication

Six Sigma

Lean manufacturing

Project leadership

Quality planning

IATF quality systems

Education

ASQ certification preferred

Tools

FMEA

Control Plan

Process Mapping

Gage Studies

SPC

Job description

Challenge Manufacturing in Holland, MI is seeking a Supplier Operations Engineer to strengthen supplier quality and lead continuous improvement initiatives within our IATF quality system. You will monitor supplier performance, drive root-cause investigations, and lead cross-functional teams to ensure products meet all specifications.

Travel up to 25% may be required. Responsibilities include root cause analysis, FMEA, SPC, and cross-functional project leadership to drive a zero-defect culture.