Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer

Job Purpose

The Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that all incoming materials, components, and parts supplied by vendors meet defined quality standards, specifications, and customer requirements. The role will focus on supplier evaluation, supplier audits, APQP/PPAP, incoming quality, root cause analysis, corrective actions, supplier development, and continuous improvement.

The position will work closely with Purchase, PPC, Production, Engineering, Stores and Quality teams to improve supplier quality, reduce rejection, control PPM, and ensure consistent supply of conforming materials.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supplier Quality Management

Develop and maintain supplier quality requirements and standards.Evaluate and monitor supplier quality performance on a regular basis.Establish supplier quality objectives and improvement plans.Monitor supplier PPM, rejection, rework, line stoppage, customer complaints and quality-related delivery issues.Prepare and review supplier quality performance reports and scorecards.Identify critical and high-risk suppliers and initiate improvement actions.2. Supplier Audit & Assessment

Conduct supplier process, system and product audits as per defined audit plans.Conduct new supplier capability and quality assessments before approval.Verify supplier compliance with applicable quality standards and customer requirements.Audit manufacturing processes, inspection systems, traceability, calibration, documentation and process controls.Prepare audit reports and follow up on identified non-conformities until closure.Conduct periodic supplier audits based on supplier performance and risk.3. APQP & PPAP

Coordinate with suppliers for APQP and PPAP activities for new and modified products.Review and approve supplier PPAP documentation.Review documents such as:Process Flow DiagramPFMEAControl PlanWork InstructionsMSA / Gauge R&RCapability StudyDimensional ReportsMaterial Test ReportsPerformance Test ReportsIMDS / applicable compliance documentsPSWEnsure PPAP approval before regular production / mass supply.Track PPAP status and pending actions.4. Incoming Quality & Supplier Rejection

Coordinate with IQC/Incoming Quality for supplier material inspection.Analyze incoming rejection and identify recurring defects.Ensure proper segregation and disposition of rejected material.Monitor supplier-related line rejection, rework and production stoppages.Develop action plans for repeated supplier defects.Ensure effective containment of defective material at supplier and plant locations.5. Supplier Problem Solving

Raise supplier quality complaints and ensure timely response.Lead supplier 8D / CAPA activities for major quality issues.Ensure proper root cause analysis using tools such as:5 Why AnalysisFishbone DiagramPareto AnalysisWhy-Why AnalysisSPCControl Plan reviewVerify implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions.Conduct follow-up audits where required to ensure permanent corrective action.6. Supplier Development

Work with suppliers to improve process capability and product quality.Support suppliers in reducing rejection, PPM, rework and customer complaints.Identify process improvement opportunities at supplier locations.Provide technical guidance regarding process controls, inspection methods and quality requirements.Drive continuous improvement projects with critical suppliers.Support supplier development activities for new products and localization.7. Quality Documentation & Compliance

Maintain supplier quality records, audit reports, PPAP documents, 8D reports and corrective action records.Ensure proper control and traceability of supplier quality documentation.Ensure suppliers comply with applicable company, customer and statutory requirements.Support implementation and maintenance of IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 requirements, wherever applicable.8. Cross-Functional Coordination

Coordinate with Purchase for supplier selection and performance improvement.Work with Engineering/NPD for new product development and supplier approval.Coordinate with Production and PPC regarding supplier-related quality and production issues.Work with Stores and IQC for incoming material quality concerns.Participate in supplier review meetings and management quality reviews.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Supplier PPMSupplier Rejection %Incoming Quality RejectionSupplier 8D Closure on TimeRepeat Supplier ComplaintsSupplier Audit ScoreAudit NC Closure %PPAP On-Time Approval %Supplier Line RejectionSupplier-Related Line StoppageSupplier Corrective Action EffectivenessSupplier Quality Improvement ProjectsRequired Technical Knowledge

Good knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan and MSA.Strong understanding of 8D, CAPA, Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving.Knowledge of supplier process and system audits.Knowledge of incoming inspection and supplier rejection analysis.Understanding of SPC and process capability (Cp/Cpk).Knowledge of measuring instruments and