Supplier Quality Engineer Resume Examples & Samples for 2023

Supplier Quality Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

Supplier quality engineers may work in a number of manufacturing-related industries and settings, but most share several core responsibilities:

Review and Assess Supplier Processes The primary duty of the supplier quality engineer is to review and assess manufacturing procedures, typically by visiting vendor facilities and observing their manufacturing environment. These visits may occur as part of the supplier selection process, or after the company has established a relationship with a vendor. They may also revisit supplier facilities to determine if requested changes have been incorporated.

Identify Quality Issues While conducting site visits and reviewing incoming products from vendors, supplier quality engineers also look for flaws and issues with quality. In this aspect of the role, the supplier quality engineer conducts tests and assessments on batches of products to identify recurring errors or quality issues. They may also send products back to suppliers if an entire batch is found to be defective.

Maintain Documentation and Reports Supplier quality engineers also maintain detailed reports related to supplier quality. These reports tend to contain vital information including defect rates and areas within the manufacturing process that result in flaws. In many cases, the supplier quality engineer prepares an initial report as the company decides whether to use a particular vendor. The supplier quality engineer frequently revises these reports to reflect changes in vendor processes.

Provide Technical Guidance and Assistance In many cases, supplier quality engineers also provide technical guidance and advice to suppliers and to decision-makers within their organizations. This guidance can range from advice on process enhancement to suggestions to overhaul production and manufacturing elements to reduce defect rates. In most cases, the supplier quality engineer works closely with the vendor to incorporate these recommendations.

Communicate Between Suppliers and Senior Management Supplier quality engineers also frequently serve as liaisons between their organizations’ senior management and vendors. In this aspect of the role, the supplier quality engineer may meet with both parties to identify issues in supply quality and work toward a solution. Additionally, the supplier quality engineer may gather information from both parties to support the flow of information.