Lead Supplier Quality & Process Improvement Engineer

Challenge Manufacturing; Holland (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP program

Employee ownership

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing is seeking a Supplier Operations Engineer to monitor supplier quality, lead a cross-functional team, and drive corrective actions. The role emphasizes root-cause analysis, FMEA/Control Plan expertise, and Six Sigma/Lean principles to ensure on-time delivery of conforming parts from suppliers.

Responsibilities include leading 8D verifications, audits, and qualification processes, with up to 25% travel. The plant is located in Holland, MI, with ESOP ownership benefits.

Qualifications

• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Hands-on IATF quality system experience in manufacturing.
• Ability to read GD&T drawings and engineering documentation.
• Experience with supplier audits and 8D problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Conduct root-cause investigations and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Communicate performance metrics to suppliers for continuous improvement.
• Lead advanced supplier readiness and qualification initiatives.
• Identify true root causes of non-conformances and ensure sustainable actions.
• Develop inspection methods for critical characteristics of incoming parts.
• Lead training on quality tools (FMEA, SPC, DMAIC, MSA, statistics).
• Support supplier performance issue resolution and 8D verification.
• Participate in supplier audits and qualification of new suppliers.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Supplier quality management

Advanced Quality Planning

FMEA

Control Plan

Process Mapping

Gage Studies

SPC

Six Sigma

Lean Manufacturing

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

IATF quality system

DFMEA/PFMEA

Education

Engineering degree (B.E./B.S.)

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Project

Job description

Challenge Manufacturing is seeking a Supplier Operations Engineer to monitor supplier quality, lead a cross-functional team, and drive corrective actions. The role emphasizes root-cause analysis, FMEA/Control Plan expertise, and Six Sigma/Lean principles to ensure on-time delivery of conforming parts from suppliers.

Responsibilities include leading 8D verifications, audits, and qualification processes, with up to 25% travel. The plant is located in Holland, MI, with ESOP ownership benefits.