Supplier Quality Engineer (with iron casting exp)

Harvey Nash; Chillicothe (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey Nash is seeking a Supplier Quality professional to lead efforts in evaluating supplier capability, reducing defects, and driving PPAP conformity. You will work with cross-functional teams to implement process controls and quality plans on critical supplier programs.

The role emphasizes audits, supplier development, and continuous improvement across manufacturing environments, including on-site assessments and PPE-aware operations.

Qualifications

• Years of experience: 5+ years in supplier quality and manufacturing environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering; masters considered with experience.
• PPAP knowledge and ability to manage supplier qualification activities.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and manufacturing standards.
• Experience in supplier evaluations, certifications, and audits.

Responsibilities

• Improve supplier performance by identifying capability gaps and implementing corrective actions.
• Guide suppliers to reduce defect rates and ensure quality, cost and delivery standards.
• Conduct supplier quality audits, assess manufacturing environments, and ensure compliance.
• Develop quality assurance plans and PPAP submissions; monitor validation procedures.
• Manage supplier relationships and maintain performance reporting.

Skills

Effective Communications

Problem Solving

Process Improvement

Quality Orientation

Supplier Management

PPAP Expertise

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering

Masters with 3+ years exp (acceptable)

Job description

• - Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues; Developing supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanism.
• - Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
• - Researching the potential vendors, assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
• - Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.

What You Will Have:

• - Effective Communications Understanding of communication concepts, tools, and techniques to effectively transmit, receive, and interpret information.
• - Delivers constructive feedback and listens without defensiveness.
• - Communicates clearly in presentations and written reports, avoiding unnecessary jargon.
• - Interprets non-verbal cues to enhance understanding.
• - Problem Solving Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve operational or process issues using appropriate tools and techniques.
• - Identifies problems and evaluates resolution options.
• - Considers stakeholder perspectives and analyzes risks and benefits.
• - Applies fact-finding and diagnostic tools effectively.
• - Process Improvement Focus on evaluating product quality and production methods to drive continuous improvement.
• - Identifies and addresses process inefficiencies.
• - Implements controls and prioritizes high-impact improvements.
• - Escalates systemic issues for organizational resolution.
• - Quality Orientation Commitment to quality management practices that support organizational goals.
• - Uses objective data to drive decisions and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• - Documents learnings for continuous improvement.
• - Addresses root causes, even beyond immediate team scope.
• - Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) Expertise in PPAP elements and submissions to ensure supplier compliance with quality standards.
• - Develops and monitors validation procedures and PPAP execution.
• - Resolves implementation issues and builds stakeholder trust.
• - Reviews documentation and trains others on PPAP levels.
• - Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies Knowledge of manufacturing standards and ability to ensure process compliance.
• - Participates in implementing and improving procedures.
• - Explains rationale and investigates exceptions.
• - Supports development of functional manufacturing policies.
• - Supplier Management – MFG Ability to manage supplier relationships and ensure quality and performance.
• - Monitors supplier performance and resolves discrepancies.
• - Develops standards and maintains strategic partnerships.
• - Manages reporting and record-keeping requirements.
• - Supplier Evaluations and Certification Skills in evaluating and certifying suppliers using defined methods and criteria.
• - Assesses supplier reputation and product quality.
• - Participates in certification processes and documentation.
• - Applies evaluation criteria to support selection decisions.

Reason/motivation for request:

• - Addition

Why Client?

“Whether it be ground-breaking products, best in class solutions or a lifelong career, you can build what matters to you at Client. With 150 locations in countries around the world, what you create at Client travels and helps people around the world. You can collaborate with the best minds in the industry, complete meaningful work and continuously grow and develop through our various opportunities. Here, you can do the work that matters.”

Why this Role?

This role offers exposure to leadership, opportunities for learning and development, and the chance to drive strategic improvements in procurement. You'll have the ability to develop your skills in supplier management and development, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver results. Client's commitment to growth and development ensures you'll have access to resources and support to enhance your expertise and advance your career.

Typical task breakdown:

Responsible for improving supplier performance by identifying capability gaps and implementing corrective actions to ensure quality, cost, and delivery standards are met.

Interaction with team:

• Works independently but also collaborates with team.

Team Structure:

• 6 people: 1 agency (new), 1 Buyer, 3 SDEs and 1 Solution Owner

Work environment:

Office environment with visits to supplier manufacturing floor; PPE required

Education & Experience Required:

• - Years of experience: 5 + years of experience.
• - Degree requirement: Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering (or Manufacturing engineering) Can accept Masters with 3 years exp; No associate Degree
• - Do you accept internships as job experience: No

- Are there past or additional job titles or roles that would provide comparable background to this role:

Top 3 Skills

• - Experience with Iron and Aluminum Casting (and/or Machined parts & process) and familiarity with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
• - Exposure to manufacturing environments involving complex engineered components.
• - Ability to navigate supplier relationships and quality systems with confidence.

Additional Technical Skills

• - Quality Orientation.
• - Expertise in PPAP elements and submissions to ensure supplier compliance with quality standards.
• - Knowledge of manufacturing standards and ability to ensure process compliance.
• - Skills in evaluating and certifying suppliers using defined methods and criteria.

Soft Skills

• - Effective Communications.
• - Problem Solving (Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve operational or process ...)
• - Willing to do tactical work (day to day process / projects / presentations)