Supplier Quality Development Engineer – Plastic Components

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Supplier Quality Development Engineer to manage supplier quality activities for plastic automotive components, particularly bumper systems, injection-molded parts, and painted components. The role will be responsible for supplier quality assurance, process capability improvement, new product quality approvals, supplier development, and resolution of supplier-related quality concerns.

The ideal candidate should possess strong expertise in plastic component manufacturing processes, supplier quality management systems, APQP/PPAP methodologies, and automotive quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Supplier Quality Management

  • Evaluate, qualify, and monitor suppliers manufacturing injection-molded and painted plastic components.
  • Conduct supplier process audits, capability assessments, and quality system evaluations.
  • Drive supplier performance improvements related to quality, delivery, and process capability.
  • Lead supplier issue resolution through structured problem-solving methodologies and corrective action implementation.
  • Collaborate with suppliers on tooling modifications, process changes, and design updates to ensure product quality and manufacturability.

  New Product Quality Assurance

  • Support APQP activities for new product development.
  • Review and approve PPAP submissions and Part Submission Warrants (PSW).
  • Ensure compliance with customer requirements, engineering specifications, and regulatory standards.
  • Validate process readiness and manufacturing controls before production launch.

  Process Improvement & Problem Solving

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across supplier manufacturing processes.
  • Lead root cause analysis using quality tools such as:
    • 8D
    • 5 Why
    • Fishbone Diagram
    • Pareto Analysis
    • SPC
  • Monitor supplier defect trends and implement preventive actions.
  • Support cost reduction and quality enhancement initiatives through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

  Supplier Development

  • Develop supplier capability improvement plans.
  • Train suppliers on automotive quality requirements and core quality tools.
  • Guide suppliers in improving:
    • Injection molding processes
    • Surface finish quality
    • Painting process capability
    • Defect prevention systems
    • Process control methodologies

  Cross-Functional Coordination

  • Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Program Management, and Supplier teams.
  • Support sourcing decisions through supplier quality assessments.
  • Participate in design reviews to ensure manufacturability and quality compliance.

  Quality Systems & Compliance

  • Ensure supplier compliance with:
    • IATF 16949
    • ISO 9001
    • APQP
    • PPAP
    • FMEA
    • Control Plans
    • SPC
    • MSA
  • Support customer audits and supplier quality reviews.

  Reporting & Performance Monitoring

  • Track supplier quality KPIs including:
    • PPM
    • Defect rates
    • On-time delivery performance
    • Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)
  • Prepare management reports and supplier scorecards.
  • Present quality improvement plans and supplier performance reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience in automotive supplier development and supplier quality management.
• Exposure to component development and supplier manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with automotive quality systems and production launch activities.

Essential skills

• 8–10 years of Supplier Quality experience in automotive or manufacturing industries.
• Strong experience with:
  • Automotive bumpers
  • Injection molded plastic parts
  • Painted plastic components
• Hands-on experience in:
  • APQP
  • PPAP
  • PSW
  • FMEA
  • SPC
  • MSA
  • Control Plans
  • Supplier Audits
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive quality systems.
• Experience in supplier development and quality improvement projects.
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving capability.

Desired skills

• Experience in bumper systems and exterior plastic trim components.
• Knowledge of advanced molding technologies:
  • Multi-shot injection molding
  • Gas-assisted molding
  • Sequential molding
• Exposure to painted surface quality requirements and appearance standards.
• Experience working with global suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt certification is an added advantage.

Experience

8 to 10 Years