Supplier Quality Engineer

API Heat Transfer; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & welfare benefits

401(k)

PTO

Job summary

API Heat Transfer is seeking a driven Supply Chain Quality Engineer to lead supplier quality activities across our network. This role partners with suppliers to ensure materials and processes meet rigorous quality standards while supporting continuous improvement and risk reduction.

The position demands auditing experience, technical depth in manufacturing processes, and strong collaboration with cross-functional teams to optimize performance and reliability across North America.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and supplier assessments.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and purchased materials.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, qualify, and approve new suppliers through capability assessments and quality audits.
• Conduct on-site supplier audits to verify compliance with API requirements and standards.
• Develop supplier improvement plans and monitor progress against objectives.
• Lead supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and verify effectiveness.
• Drive root cause investigations using 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, and Pareto analysis.
• Participate in strategic initiatives to improve supply chain reliability and quality.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Communication skills

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

API Heat Transfer is looking for people who enjoy being part of our growth. Our Operations Team is focused on building a world-class supply chain that delivers quality, reliability, and value to our customers. If you enjoy solving problems, building supplier partnerships, and driving continuous improvement throughout the supply chain, we'd love to speak with you about our Supplier Quality Engineer position.

At API, we take our culture transformation seriously. To help find the best fit for our positions and organization, we ask that you complete our 10-minute Culture Index Survey. Simply follow the link after submitting your application to help us use our interview time to dive deeper into your job behaviors and work history. https://surveys.cultureindex.com/s/7Y0awCvsZZ/91889

What We Offer You

• Stable and growing 140+ year-old company
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Ability to impact customers across multiple industries
• Full health & welfare benefits, 401(k), and PTO
• Competitive salary and performance-based growth opportunities
• Pay Range: $60,000 - $80,000 (based on experience and qualifications)

What You Will Do

We are seeking a driven and highly organized Supply Chain Quality Engineer to develop, manage, and improve supplier quality performance across our supply chain. This position serves as the primary quality liaison between API and its suppliers, ensuring materials, components, and manufacturing processes consistently meet company requirements.

This role requires frequent interaction with suppliers and includes travel to vendor facilities to conduct audits, assess manufacturing capabilities, certify suppliers, investigate quality concerns, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise, auditing experience, and the ability to build productive partnerships with suppliers while maintaining a focus on quality, compliance, and risk reduction.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Qualification & Development

• Evaluate, qualify, and approve new suppliers through capability assessments and quality audits.
• Conduct on-site supplier audits to verify compliance with API requirements, industry standards, and customer specifications.
• Assess supplier manufacturing processes, quality systems, and technical capabilities.
• Develop supplier improvement plans and monitor progress against established objectives.
• Support supplier certification programs and ongoing supplier performance evaluations.

Supplier Quality Management

• Establish and maintain supplier quality requirements, specifications, and expectations.
• Analyze supplier performance metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and verify effectiveness of implemented corrective actions.
• Partner with suppliers to resolve non-conformances and recurring quality issues.
• Drive root cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, and Pareto Analysis.
• Support containment activities and recovery plans related to supplier quality concerns.

Material & Process Qualification

• Review and approve supplier PPAPs, FAI documentation, inspection plans, and qualification packages as applicable.
• Evaluate raw materials, components, and outsourced manufacturing processes for compliance with engineering and quality requirements.
• Participate in material qualification and validation activities.
• Ensure suppliers maintain required certifications and compliance documentation.

Supply Chain Risk & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and mitigate supplier-related quality risks.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to improve supplier performance and product quality.
• Support supplier scorecard development and quarterly business reviews.
• Recommend sourcing improvements based on supplier capability, quality performance, and risk assessments.
• Participate in strategic initiatives aimed at improving supply chain reliability and quality.

Compliance & Auditing

• Conduct supplier audits in accordance with ISO 9001 and company standards.
• Ensure supplier compliance with contractual, customer, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Maintain supplier audit reports, qualification records, and corrective action documentation.
• Support customer audits involving supplier quality and traceability requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and supplier assessments.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, machining, fabrication, welding, castings, electrical components, and purchased materials.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Preferred

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and/or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
• Lead Auditor certification.
• Experience with supplier qualification and development programs.
• Experience in manufacturing, heat transfer, industrial equipment, or engineered-to-order environments.
• Knowledge of PPAP, APQP, FMEA, SPC, and MSA methodologies.
• Experience with non-destructive examination (NDE); certified VT and/or PT Level I.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong relationship-building and supplier management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence suppliers and drive accountability.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Data-driven decision making and analytical thinking.
• Ability to balance quality, cost, and delivery considerations.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent use of computers and office equipment.
• Ability to travel to supplier facilities, manufacturing sites, and customer locations.
• Ability to walk production floors and manufacturing environments.
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to conduct inspections in industrial environments.

Travel Required

25-50% travel required, including visits to supplier facilities throughout North America and occasional international travel as business needs dictate.

INDZ

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact API Heat Transfer at [phone] for assistance.