Supplier Quality Development Engineer Plastic Components Bumpers Injection Molding And Painted Parts

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

• Bachelors 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.
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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.
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Experience

8 to 10 Years