Supplier Quality Engineer I

Fresenius Medical Care; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresenius Medical Care is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer in Knoxville to oversee end-to-end quality for allocated supplier base, validate components, and support supplier excellence initiatives.

The role involves on-site supplier quality audits (and some remote work), tracking performance metrics, and driving improvements in supplier processes while ensuring adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 0–2 years of related experience or an advanced degree.
• Experience using quality tools.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Good written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Interface with suppliers to follow up on quality issues and manage supplier corrective actions.
• Conduct on-site and remote supplier quality audits and participate in supplier approvals.
• Document audit results and required actions for suppliers.
• Track, analyze, and report supplier performance metrics to quality, logistics, and manufacturing stakeholders.
• Perform problem analysis and propose statistical process controls for supplier processes.
• Escalate issues to supervisor when needed and support various projects.

Skills

Quality tools

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Diplomacy

Computer skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Responsible for the End-to-End quality and sustainability with allocated supply base, validate, and release components, as well as support the definition and implementation of supplier quality functional excellence initiatives.Ensures the company receives top quality product and service at all times and will investigate, root cause, and make recommendations on how to proceed with suppliers who do not meet that requirement.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under close supervision, utilizes established procedures to perform routine assigned tasks to interface directly with suppliers to follow up on the quality and performance issues, manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests.
• Performs on-site and remote supplier quality audits for new suppliers; participates in supplier approval process.
• Documents and follows up on audit results and required actions to be addressed by the supplier.
• Tracks, analyzes, and reports in supplier performance metrics to stakeholders within quality, logistics, and manufacturing management using the appropriate software tools.
• Performs problem analysis, process, and machine capability studies as required, and for determining and proposing statistical process controls for appropriate supplier’s processes.
• Learns to use professional concepts. Applies company policies and procedures to resolve routine issues.
• Works on problems of limited scope. Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained.
• Builds stable working relationships internally.
• Normally receives specific, detailed instructions on all work.
• Reviews and complies with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies and procedures, local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• May refer to higher level staff, if applicable, for assistance with day-to-day problems that may arise.
• Escalates issues to supervisor/manager for resolution, as deemed necessary.
• Assist with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Up to 30% travel as required.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Minimum 0 – 2 years of related experience; or an advanced degree without experience.
• Experience using quality tools.
• Problem solving ability, strong analytical skills and diplomacy required.
• Must possess good computer skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.