Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Title

Supplier Quality Engineer

Reports to

Sr. Manager Quality and Regulatory Compliance

Department

1570 - Production Assurance - Quality

FLSA

Nonexempt

Location

Woodridge IL

Status

Full-time

About Us

Inventus Power is a global leader in advanced battery systems that specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality, reliable, and innovative power systems for a broad range of portable, motive, and stationary applications. We are a US based company headquartered in Woodridge, Illinois and have a global presence that extends across four continents with five manufacturing facilities, three engineering technical centers, a multi-tiered sales service channel, and 3,000+ employees. For over 60 years, Inventus Power has been addressing the rapidly expanding power demands of a changing world through technology and engineered solutions. We continue to invest in our people and processes, while enhancing our products and capabilities in order to create a safer, smarter, and more sustainable battery-powered world.

We are an ITAR facility and hire only U.S. persons who are defined as U.S. citizens or green card holders.

What You'll Do

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for ensuring that products and components sourced from suppliers that meet the required quality standards. This role is pivotal in maintaining high-quality products by working closely with suppliers, R&D, Operations, and the Supply Chain teams. The SQE will lead quality audits, resolve supplier-related issues, and help facilitate supplier process improvement.

This role will develop relationships with suppliers, and act as a liaison between them and Inventus Power to ensure the company works with the highest-quality vendors by determining solutions to any challenges impacting established quality standards.

Responsibilities (Including other duties as assigned)

• Review and assess supplier processes to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure that products meet required specifications.
• Visit vendor facilities to evaluate their manufacturing processes, systems, and capabilities.
• Conduct on-site audits of supplier facilities to assess their quality systems, manufacturing practices, and compliance with company and industry standards (e.g., ISO).
• Develop applicable quality tracking reports to monitor supplier performance, review defects, rates, and trends.
• Facilitate suppliers performing root cause analysis and institute corrective and preventive action for NPI and sustaining products until they achieve yield goals.
• Lead the determination and execution of first article inspections (FAI) to verify that the supplier's process meets required specifications before full-scale production.
• Review incoming inspection results for components and finished goods from vendors to check for defects, ensure quality and authorize release.
• Recommend and implement improvements and preventive measures to ensure conformance with internal and external quality management system (QMS) requirements, including ISO standards and other relevant regulations.
• Work closely with the Supply Chain team to provide Supplier Quality Engineering support.
• Collaborate to establish supplier quality requirements and ensure that these requirements are clearly communicated and adhered to throughout the supply chain process.

What You Will Need

• BS degree in engineering or Quality Management.
• 5+ years' experience in supplier quality management, quality assurance, or manufacturing with a focus on supplier relations.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001/13485), Six Sigma, and medical and military standards, and audits.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement processes.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with suppliers, internal teams, and cross-functional departments.
• Strong knowledge of ISO standards (13485/9001), medical and military standards, and ability to conduct audits.
• Experience with Quality Engineering tools (Control Plan, Validation, pFMEA, PPAP, test, and inspection strategies).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.
• Working knowledge of quality/data evaluation programs such as Minitab.
• Thorough knowledge of state-of-the-art inspection equipment & methodologies, quality assurance techniques, procedures, principles, and general business operations.
• Demonstrated ability to apply statistical & other data analysis techniques.
• Self-motivated individual requiring minimal supervision for day-to-day tasks.
• Ability to lead/work in partnership with cross-functional teams and suppliers to achieve goals & objectives.
• Willingness and ability to travel to supplier locations to perform audits, resolve issues, and lead continuous improvement initiatives.

Inventus Power is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.