Supplier Quality Engineer

• Conduct supplier audits to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, quality systems, and compliance with APQP

processes.

• Lead capacity and risk assessments at supplier sites, defining and implementing mitigation plans to meet

capability and delivery targets.

• Lead APQP activities, including Onsite PPAP, FMEA, control plans, and process capability planning, to ensure

product quality from design to production.

• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for supplier issues using methodologies like 8D, Red X Shainin, Six

Sigma, or Lean to minimize defects (including travel to affected Rheem plants and suppliers as necessary).

• Support supplier process certification (e.g., ProCert) and Early Production Containment for new product

introductions (NPI).

• Collaborate with suppliers to enhance on-time delivery through capacity planning, process optimization, and

inventory management.

• Coach suppliers in Lean methodologies (e.g., Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kanban) to optimize processes

and eliminate waste.

• Serve as the primary technical liaison for supplier-related quality, operational, and NPI discussions.

• Foster strong collaboration with internal teams (e.g., procurement, engineering, R&D) and external partners.

• Track and report supplier KPIs, including defect rates, parts per million (PPMs), on-time delivery (OTD), and cost

savings, ensuring compliance with APQP and Lean standards