Location: 100% on-site in Chapel Hill, NC, transitioning to Timberlake, NC by the end of 2026
Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Department: Quality
Reports To: Director of Quality
We are seeking a
Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) to serve as a key liaison between Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality. In this role, you will ensure that raw materials, components, and outsourced services from external suppliers meet quality standards, technical specifications, and regulatory requirements.
The SQE will lead supplier qualification, performance monitoring, audits, corrective action management, and continuous improvement initiatives with a strong focus on risk prevention, defect reduction, and supply chain reliability. This position also supports first article qualifications, supplier change management, and root cause investigations while driving accountability and improvement across the supplier base.
Key Responsibilities
- Qualify and manage suppliers to ensure materials and services meet quality and regulatory standards
- Monitor supplier performance and lead audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Investigate supplier quality issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive resolution across cross-functional teams
- Support first article inspections, supplier change management, and product/component validation activities
- Analyze quality data and trends to identify risks and improve supplier performance
- Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to strengthen supplier quality processes
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline
- 5-10 years of experience in supplier quality or manufacturing quality
- Experience in cable, harness, electrical, automotive, industrial, or energy manufacturing preferred
Preferred Knowledge & Experience
- Strong knowledge of ISO 9001; IATF 16949 is a plus
- Experience with supplier auditing and qualification
- Expertise in root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Minimum 5 years of supplier auditing experience; third-party certification preferred
- ASQ certification (CQE, CQA) or equivalent preferred
Skills & Competencies
- Advanced problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
- Experience with statistical tools and data analysis; Minitab preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
- Excellent technical writing and documentation skills
- Strong verbal communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple suppliers and priorities
- Experience working in manufacturing environments, including plant, field, and supplier sites
Work Environment & Travel
- Work will take place in office, manufacturing plant, supplier site, and field environments
- Frequent domestic and international travel required (50-70%)
- Exposure to manufacturing and warehouse environments
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. The company will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas, including H-1B, O-1, E-3, TN, or similar immigration processes.
