Remote Office Remote Office Nebraska 99999
Position SummaryThe Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (Senior SQE) is a technical and strategic leader responsible for ensuring supplier quality performance across complex, high-risk, or high-spend commodities. This role leads advanced supplier quality planning, drives systemic improvement across the supply base, and mitigates quality and delivery risk throughout the product lifecycle.
The Senior SQE serves as a subject matter expert in supplier quality, quality systems, and manufacturing processes. This role independently leads critical supplier initiatives, mentors less experienced quality engineers, and partners closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, and leadership to influence sourcing decisions, design for manufacturability, and long-term supplier capability development.
Success in this role is measured by sustained supplier performance improvement, reduced cost of poor quality, effective risk mitigation for new and existing products, and leadership impact across cross-functional teams.
Essential Functions- This role reports through the Corporate Shared Services Quality organization and/or Strategic Sourcing, with reporting alignment based on scope of responsibility. The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer has no direct reports.
- Serve as the lead Supplier Quality Engineer for assigned commodities, suppliers, or regions with elevated complexity, risk, or strategic importance.
- Own and continuously improve supplier-related elements of the Quality Management System (QMS), including standards, procedures, and governance.
- Lead complex supplier nonconformance investigations using advanced problem-solving and data analysis; ensure robust root cause identification and sustainable corrective actions.
- Drive supplier corrective action (SCAR/CAPA) process end-to-end, including escalation, containment strategy, verification of effectiveness, and leadership communication.
- Plan, conduct, and lead supplier audits (quality system, process, and product) for qualification, development, and ongoing performance management.
- Lead supplier selection, onboarding, and development activities, including quality system maturity assessments and risk-based evaluations.
- Lead APQP and PPAP activities for new product introductions and major changes, ensuring timely and compliant supplier deliverables.
- Provide expert review and approval of PFMEAs, control plans, SPC strategies, process capability data, gage R&R, and inspection plans.
- Partner with Engineering to influence product and process design for manufacturability, reliability, and supplier capability.
- Lead supplier risk assessments and mitigation planning for new programs, capacity constraints, design changes, or quality escapes.
- Develop, analyze, and present supplier performance metrics and scorecards; identify trends, systemic issues, and improvement opportunities.
- Drive cost of poor quality reduction initiatives across the supply base, including scrap, rework, returns, and warranty exposure.
- Act as a key quality representative in cross-functional and leadership forums related to sourcing strategy, supplier performance, and operational risk.
- Support internal, external, and customer audits; lead closure of supplier-related findings and systemic corrective actions.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to Supplier Quality Engineers and cross-functional teams on quality tools, methods, and best practices.
- Travel to supplier and company sites as required (typically +50%).
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's with 5+ years of relevant experience or an Associate's degree with 7+ years of relevant experience or 9+ years of relevant experience.
- Extensive experience in supplier quality engineering, quality engineering, or manufacturing quality with demonstrated ownership of complex supplier issues.
- Strong knowledge of quality management systems and supplier quality methodologies.
- Expert-level proficiency in structured problem-solving (8D, A3, 5 Whys, Fishbone) and statistical analysis tools.
- Experience working with industry and customer standards (e.g., ISO 9001, AISC, customer-specific requirements).
- Advanced ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
- Deep working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and metrology.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using quality, SPC, and ERP systems.
Highly Qualified Candidates Will Also Possess (Role Specific)- Experience leading supplier development programs and long-term capability improvement initiatives.
- Experience managing supplier quality for complex manufacturing processes such as metal fabrication, welding, coatings, or machined components.
- Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
- Professional quality certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
- Experience supporting global suppliers and cross-regional operations.
- Demonstrated mentoring or informal leadership experience within a quality organization.
BenefitsValmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family's overall wellness needs are met. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location and can include the following:
- Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
- 401k retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off
- Employer paid life insurance
- Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
- Work Life Support
- Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
- Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more
