Advanced Supplier Quality Engineer

Muth Company; Sheboygan (WI); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Safe, climate-controlled environment

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Life insurance

Job summary

Muth Company in Wisconsin seeks an Advanced Supplier Quality Engineer to ensure suppliers meet quality, capacity, timing and launch-readiness for new automotive programs. You will lead APQP activities, conduct supplier readiness reviews, Run at Rate evaluations and drive containment actions to protect program milestones.

The role requires hands-on collaboration with suppliers on the manufacturing floor, strong problem-solving skills (8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa), and frequent travel to supplier

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline preferred; equivalent automotive supplier-quality experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of automotive quality, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or launch experience.
• Strong understanding of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, capability studies, and Run at Rate.
• Experience conducting supplier manufacturing process assessments and production-readiness reviews.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive customer-specific requirements.
• Experience with structured problem solving, including 8D and 5-Why.
• Ability to evaluate manufacturing processes, tooling readiness, capacity, quality controls, and production risk.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supplier management, engineers, manufacturing personnel, and customer representatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage supplier quality and production readiness for new automotive programs from supplier nomination through SOP and Safe Launch.
• Develop and maintain supplier readiness plans aligned with overall APQP and customer program timing.
• Monitor supplier tooling, equipment, component, validation, capacity, and production-readiness timing.
• Conduct regular supplier status reviews and identify potential delays before they impact milestones.
• Escalate supplier timing, quality, capacity, or technical risks when recovery plans are not sufficient.
• Conduct onsite Supplier Readiness Reviews, process audits, production trials, and Run at Rate.
• Verify that suppliers have appropriate manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, staffing, training, inspection methods, capacity, packaging, traceability, and contingency plans in place before launch.
• Review and approve supplier APQP documentation, including validation documentation.
• Ensure supplier special characteristics and customer-specific requirements are properly incorporated into supplier manufacturing controls.
• Review supplier capacity and validate that demonstrated production rates support program needs.
• Work directly with suppliers to develop recovery plans when tooling, components, testing, or production timing is behind schedule.
• Coordinate expedited activities and onsite support for high-risk suppliers to meet timing.
• Lead supplier corrective actions using 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa, and containment/corrective action plans.
• Support supplier manufacturing process improvements and mistake-proofing activities.
• Support Safe Launch activities and enhanced supplier controls when launch risk warrants additional inspection.
• Track suppliers launch KPIs and communicate readiness status to Program Management, Quality, Purchasing, Engineering, and Manufacturing.
• Participate in customer launch and supplier readiness meetings when required.
• Maintain documentation of supplier visits, assessments, Run at Rate results, open issues, recovery plans, and action-item closure.
• Support supplier development for improving quality systems, manufacturing controls, capacity, or launch management.

Skills

APQP

PPAP

PFMEA

Control Plans

MSA

SPC

Capability studies

Run at Rate

IATF 16949

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Automotive supplier-quality experience

Job description

Position Summary/Objective:

The Advanced Supplier Quality Engineer (ASQE) is responsible for ensuring suppliers are prepared to meet quality, capacity, timing, and production-readiness requirements for new automotive product launches.

This position serves as the primary quality and launch interface between Muth and assigned suppliers from sourcing through production launch. The ASQE proactively monitors supplier progress, identifies risks to program timing, conducts onsite supplier readiness assessments and Run at Rate evaluations, and drives corrective actions when supplier performance or readiness does not meet expectations.

The position requires a hands-on individual who is comfortable working directly with suppliers on the manufacturing floor to resolve issues, improve timing, and ensure successful launches.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Manage supplier quality and production readiness for new automotive programs from supplier nomination through SOP and Safe Launch.
  • Develop and maintain supplier readiness plans aligned with overall APQP and customer program timing.
  • Monitor supplier tooling, equipment, component, validation, capacity, and production-readiness timing.
  • Conduct regular supplier status reviews and identify potential delays before they impact Muth or customer milestones.
  • Escalate supplier timing, quality, capacity, or technical risks when recovery plans are not sufficient.
  • Conduct onsite Supplier Readiness Reviews, process audits, production trials, and Run at Rate
  • Verify that suppliers have appropriate manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, staffing, training, inspection methods, capacity, packaging, traceability, and contingency plans in place before launch.
  • Review and approve supplier APQP documentation, including validation documentation.
  • Ensure supplier special characteristics and customer-specific requirements are properly incorporated into supplier manufacturing controls.
  • Review supplier capacity and validate that demonstrated production rates support Muth and customer volume requirements.
  • Work directly with suppliers to develop recovery plans when tooling, components, testing, or production timing is behind schedule.
  • Coordinate expedited activities and onsite support for suppliers identified as high‑risk to program timing.
  • Lead supplier corrective actions using structured problem‑solving methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa, and containment/corrective action plans.
  • Support supplier manufacturing process improvements and mistake‑proofing activities.
  • Support Safe Launch activities and establish enhanced supplier controls when launch risk warrant additional inspection or monitoring.
  • Track suppliers launch KPIs and communicate supplier readiness status to Program Management, Quality, Purchasing, Engineering, and Manufacturing.
  • Participate in customer launch and supplier readiness meetings when required.
  • Maintain accurate documentation of supplier visits, assessments, Run at Rate results, open issues, recovery plans, and action‑item closure.
  • Support supplier development activities for suppliers requiring improvement in quality systems, manufacturing controls, capacity, or launch management.

Education, and/or Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline preferred; equivalent automotive supplier-quality experience may be considered.
2. 5+ years of automotive quality, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or launch experience.
3. Strong understanding of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, capability studies, and Run at Rate.
4. Experience conducting supplier manufacturing process assessments and production‑readiness reviews.
5. Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive customer-specific requirements.
6. Experience with structured problem solving, including 8D and 5-Why.
7. Ability to evaluate manufacturing processes, tooling readiness, capacity, quality controls, and production risk.
8. Strong project-management and organizational skills.
9. Ability to communicate effectively with supplier management, engineers, manufacturing personnel, and customer representatives.
10. Ability and willingness to travel frequently to supplier locations, including short notice visits when program timing or quality concerns require onsite support.
11. Excellent written and verbal communication
12. This job is considered a “Sensitive Work Field” this means the team member will have direct contact with confidential documents and data.
    1. Team member must be trustworthy and genuine.
    2. Team member must be able to ensure security of documents and data.
    3. Team members must be accountable and liable for their actions.

The above statement reflects the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work that may be inherent in the occupation.

Why work at Muth?

• Competitive wages.
• Clean, safe and climate-controlled environment.
• Paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Company provided STD, LTD and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program provides 100% confidential 24/7 support, resources, and referrals for work and personal life challenges at no cost to employees and family members.
• 401(K) with company match.
• Onsite fitness center.
• Employee game room.
• Tuition assistance program.
• Employee referral program.
• Monthly employee appreciation anniversary day.
• Offsite wellness center.
• Summer picnic and winter holiday party.
• Free soda and coffee!