Supplier Quality Engineer

Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.; Salina (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. in Salina, KS is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to drive supplier quality improvements for purchased components. This on-site role collaborates with purchasing, sourcing, quality, and manufacturing to raise product quality across current and new parts.

The role requires leading audits, PPAP activities, and supplier scorecards, with travel up to 30% outside Kansas. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• 3+ years in a manufacturing facility or operations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with precision measuring tools and troubleshooting.
• Project management experience and ability to deliver engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier quality audits to ensure quality standards.
• Lead PPAP activities from a technical perspective.
• Escalate unresolved quality issues with vendors.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to improve product quality.
• Prepare and process product reports by analyzing information and trends.
• Identify opportunities for internal Quality Check fixtures.
• Maintain and report Supplier Scorecards.
• Recommend new or enhanced methods and standards.
• Support NPI test plans and monitor supplier plan compliance.
• Participate in FMEAs, design reviews, and other NPI activities.
• Lead advanced problem-solving efforts.
• Travel for vendor meetings (up to 30% out of state, 50% within KS).
• Adhere to company and OSHA safety regulations.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality improvement

Project management

MS Excel

PowerPoint

3D modeling

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Creo

Solidworks

Inventor

Job description

Great Plains Manufacturing, a Kubota company, is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to join our team in Salina, KS. The role involves close collaboration with purchasing, sourcing, quality, and manufacturing to drive supplier quality improvements for new and current purchased components. This is an on-site role based in Salina, KS. The schedule is typically Monday‑Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some overnight travel outside of Kansas is required (up to 30%).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead supplier quality audits to ensure compliance with quality standards.
• Lead PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) activities from a technical perspective.
• Escalate unresolved quality issues as appropriate to facilitate resolution with vendors.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers while focusing on the improvement of product quality.
• Prepare and process product reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Identify opportunity and necessity for internally-designed Quality Check fixtures.
• Maintain and report Supplier Scorecards.
• Recommend new or enhanced methods, procedures and standards.
• Support the development of New Product Engineering Test Plan and monitor the compliance of the plan related to critical suppliers.
• Participate in FMEAs (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), design reviews, and other New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
• Lead advanced problem‑solving endeavors.
• Travel expectations to meet with vendors include overnight travel outside of Kansas (up to 30%) and day trips within Kansas (up to 50%).
• Follow all Great Plains and OSHA safety regulations and wear prescribed safety and protective equipment.
• Other duties may be assigned that require additional qualifications, physical demands, and/or work environment.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; minimum of 3 years’ experience working within a manufacturing facility as part of an engineering or operations department; or combination of education and experience.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).
• Agriculture, Construction or Heavy Equipment manufacturing background helpful.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving expertise, including experience with precision measuring tools and mechanical troubleshooting.
• Project management experience and proven ability to plan and deliver engineering projects.
• Formal problem‑solving certification a plus (e.g., Shainin Red X or Six Sigma).
• Propensity to build and manage relationships at all organizational levels, including senior leadership; exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading cross‑functional quality or process improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience in 3D modeling software (i.e., Creo, Solidworks, Inventor).