Strategic Supplier Quality Engineer: Audits & Improvement

Actalent; Maple Grove (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Disability insurance

401k matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Maple Grove, MN is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to manage supplier quality processes, qualify new suppliers, and drive continuous improvement across the supply base. You will join cross-functional teams to ensure supplier readiness, ISO compliance, and effective corrective action execution.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a technical field and 2+ years in supplier quality, with audits experience and the ability to travel up to 15%.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of related experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or a similar quality engineering role.
• Experience conducting supplier audits.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and quality documentation systems.
• Ability to travel up to 15% (domestic and international).

Responsibilities

• Assess supplier performance using data and analytical methods and communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain regular supplier engagement mechanisms such as project reviews, self-assessments, qualification activities, and audit planning.
• Evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers through robust vetting and audits, providing sourcing recommendations based on risk, capability, and quality maturity.
• Lead supplier audits (remote and onsite), assess supplier risk, and drive corrective actions when gaps are identified.
• Issue Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and support suppliers with root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action implementation.
• Monitor corrective actions for timeliness and effectiveness, verify sustained improvements, and update internal documentation as needed.
• Represent Quality in new product development and supplier transition projects to ensure supplier readiness and stable launch performance.
• Define PPAP submission requirements and review/approve submissions to ensure compliance with customer and internal requirements.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, tracking milestones, risks, and deliverables to meet schedule and quality targets.
• Support Supplier Change Requests by assessing impact, managing risk, and ensuring controlled implementation.
• Evaluate internal and supplier-facing quality processes, identify gaps, and implement system-level improvements.
• Ensure effective document control, record retention, and change management across QMS documentation.
• Analyze quality and operational data to identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Define and track key quality metrics (KPIs) related to defects, audit findings, supplier performance, and process capability.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to integrate supplier quality requirements into the QMS.
• Support supplier qualification, performance monitoring, and corrective action.

Skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Travel availability

Education

Bachelors degree in Engineering/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

ASQ Lead Auditor certification

Job description

Actalent in Maple Grove, MN is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to manage supplier quality processes, qualify new suppliers, and drive continuous improvement across the supply base. You will join cross-functional teams to ensure supplier readiness, ISO compliance, and effective corrective action execution.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a technical field and 2+ years in supplier quality, with audits experience and the ability to travel up to 15%.