Job DescriptionWork location: Trumbull, CT or Livingston, NJ (on-site)
Scope: The Principal Supplier Quality Engineer serves as the highest-level technical authority within Supplier Quality Engineering and provides enterprise-wide leadership for supplier quality strategy, technical risk management, product realization, and supplier compliance activities. This role is responsible for establishing technical standards, leading complex quality initiatives, and providing expert guidance on supplier-related product, process, and compliance decisions.
The Principal Supplier Quality Engineer drives quality excellence across the product lifecycle and partners with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Regulatory Affairs, R&D, Manufacturing, and business leadership to ensure supplier processes and product quality meet regulatory, customer, and business requirements. The role operates with significant autonomy and serves as a recognized subject matter expert for critical supplier quality and engineering challenges.
Job Summary:The Principal Supplier Quality Engineer provides strategic technical leadership for supplier quality systems, process validation, risk management, auditing, supplier development, product realization and external manufacturing operational oversight activities. This role leads to the resolution of highly complex quality and engineering issues impacting product safety, efficacy, reliability, compliance, and supply continuity.
The position serves as the organization's technical expert for supplier-related quality engineering matters, including design transfer, process validation, manufacturing controls, risk management, supplier change management, and regulatory inspection support. The Principal Supplier Quality Engineer influences business strategy through technical expertise and drives continuous improvement across global supplier networks.
ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership & Engineering Excellence- Serve as the technical authority for supplier quality engineering across the organization.
- Establish engineering standards, best practices, and technical governance frameworks for supplier controls.
- Lead resolution of complex supplier quality, manufacturing, and compliance issues requiring advanced technical expertise.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Supplier Quality Engineers, and cross-functional teams.
- Review and approve technical assessments impacting critical suppliers, products, and manufacturing processes.
- Influence senior leadership decisions related to supplier risk, sourcing strategy, and business continuity.
Supplier Quality Engineering- Lead technical evaluation, qualification, and ongoing oversight of critical and strategic suppliers.
- Establish supplier quality engineering requirements related to process capability, validation, inspection methods, and quality controls.
- Drive supplier process improvement initiatives using statistical and engineering methodologies.
- Lead technical supplier development programs to improve quality, reliability, manufacturability, and capability.
- Support supplier selection and sourcing decisions through technical risk assessments.
- Ensure effective integration of supplier quality requirements into product development and commercialization programs.
- Evaluate technical impacts associated with Supplier Change Notifications (SCNs), deviations, concessions, and process changes.
- Support and lead supplier related risk assessment and support supplier transfers, and manufacturing readiness activities.
Validation & Process Controls- Provide supplier quality oversight of supplier validation programs, including IQ/OQ/PQ, process validation, software validation, and special process qualification.
- Support establishment requirements for process capability studies, measurement system analysis, and statistical controls.
- Review and approve validation strategies and technical documentation for critical supplier processes
Corrective Action & Quality Improvement- Lead investigation and resolution of significant supplier-related quality events.
- Provide technical oversight for SCARs, CAPAs, NCMRs, and complex root cause investigations.
- Utilize advanced problem-solving methodologies to address recurring and systemic quality issues.
- Monitor quality trends and drive enterprise-wide preventive improvement initiatives
Strategic Business Partnership- Influence supplier quality strategy through technical expertise.
- Partner with Executive Leadership, R&D, Operations, Procurement, and Regulatory Affairs on strategic quality initiatives.
- Present technical recommendations, risk evaluations, and quality performance metrics to senior leadership.
- Support business continuity planning and supplier resiliency initiatives.
Travel: This position may require 20-35% domestic and/or international travel.
QualificationsKnowledge, Skills and Abilities:- Expert knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, EU MDR, ISO 14971, and applicable supplier quality regulations.
- Advanced expertise in quality engineering, process validation, statistical methods, risk management, and supplier quality systems.
- Demonstrated ability to influence decisions across organizational and executive leadership levels.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, special processes, and inspection technologies.
- Excellent presentation, communication, and technical writing skills.
- Proficiency with Minitab, statistical software packages, ERP systems, PLM systems, and electronic QMS platforms.
Experience:- 12+ years experience in a regulated quality environment (medical device, pharma, life sciences).
- 10+ years experience in Supplier/Vendor Quality Management (direct or relevant experience).
- Demonstrated technical leadership of complex supplier quality initiatives and cross-functional programs.
- Experience supporting global regulatory inspections and supplier networks.
- Proven record of driving technical improvements that improve product quality, compliance, and operational performance.
Work Environment:- Manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, clean room, supplier, and office environments.
- May require extended periods of sitting, standing, and movement in production and supplier facilities.
Education:- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field required.
- Master's Degree preferred.
- ASQ (CQE/CQA), Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.
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Our Benefits:As an employee of CooperSurgical, you'll receive an outstanding total compensation plan. As we believe your compensation goes beyond your paycheck, we offer a great compensation package, medical coverage, 401(k), parental leave, fertility benefits, paid time off for vacation, personal, sick and holidays, and multiple other perks and benefits. Please visit us at www.coopersurgical.com to learn more about CooperSurgical and the benefits of becoming a member of our team.
For U.S. locations that require disclosure of compensation, the starting base pay for this role is between $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 annually. The actual base pay includes many factors and is subject to change and modification in the future. This position may also be eligible for other types of compensation and benefits.
