Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - AS9100

Overview of Role:

The Senior Engineer – Supplier Quality Engineering located in Watlow’s Advanced Technology Center in St. Louis, Missouri, will be responsible for ensuring new product manufacturing/quality readiness, and acceptable performance of the supply base through effective linkage, active involvement, evaluation, and continuous performance management of our global suppliers. 

The engineer will report to Watlow’s Supplier Quality Engineering Manager. 

 Key Responsibilities will include: 

• Support NPD, Global Footprint, and Supply Chain projects to evaluate/audit new Watlow suppliers
• Lead supplier readiness/improvement work with new suppliers and existing suppliers for new product release and Global Footprint product transitions
• Lead supplier evaluation/audits of current and new Watlow suppliers
• Deploy Watlow requirements to suppliers, identify gaps, and work with suppliers to develop the capability to meet expectations
• Utilize supplier performance data and sourcing strategies to target, define approach, and continuously improve supplier performance
• Ensure suppliers understand and apply Watlow’s change control requirements through annual training and auditing supplier’s conformance to the requirement
• Lead major/escalated supplier corrective action activity, ensuring thorough 8D has been defined and executed by supplier and Watlow has also taken appropriate action

Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in an engineering, manufacturing, or applicable technical discipline
• Five (5) years working in a Supplier Quality, Quality Assurance, or Supply Chain role
• Five (5) years working in an engineering/design or manufacturing/process role
• Working knowledge of registered AS9100 Quality Management System, achieving and maintaining certification; ISO9001:20015 and IATF 16949 also a plus.
• The desire and ability to travel domestic and internationally, up to 50%
• Auditing experience – quality management system elements, process audits, etc.
• Expertise in applying and executing 8D, PPAP, APQP, Control Plans, and other quality tools
• Expertise in Problem Solving and applying root cause corrective action tools
• Ability to lead, coach, and communicate to all levels of a supplier’s organization (Operator to President/CEO)
• Capable of representing supplier quality function during customer audits and project work
• Ability to work independently, with remote supervision

Additional success factors:

• Direct interaction experience with suppliers in Aerospace industry – domestic and internationally
• Project Management experience
• Oracle ERP, preferably supplier management functionality
• Being an advocate of the suppliers, but also remaining focused on Watlow and customer’s needs
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts and tools
• Ability to recognize potential safety issues during supplier visits
• Ability to communicate directly with customers relating to supplier quality function in audits, report outs, etc.
• Understand and apply engineering specifications, prints, drawings, standards, etc.
• Familiarity with products produced by Watlow; heaters, sensors, and controls
• Demonstrate alignment to the Watlow Way Values, Behaviors, and Principles