SQE Group Lead

Job Title: Supplier Quality Engineering Group Leader (Supervisor)
Reports To: Quality Manager
Location: Ladson, SC 29456
Status of hire: full-time, direct hire, salaried exempt
Supervisory Responsibility? Yes
Direct Reports: up to 5 ranging from Supplier Quality Technicians to Engineers, may also have Lab Techs reporting to this role as well
Compensation: $90-110k plus sign-on bonus, relocation available
Industry: automotive manufacturing
Job Summary:
The primary purpose of this position is to continually improve the quality and delivery of supplied components through quality improvement initiatives implemented within the supply base.
- Works to develop the supply chain and insure that supplier’s processes and products meet internal and customer requirements
- This position will be responsible for assessing and improving processes and development of receiving inspection strategies, supplier ratings, corrective action initiation and follow-up (8D’s), and supplier development

Essential Functions:
- Establish and continuously improve the Vision for the Supplier Quality Team focused on providing outstanding service to the customer
- Actively work with colleagues at the lead plant to continuously improve and standardize the Supplier Quality processes globally
- Technical development of supplier organizations to improve processes and drive toward zero defects in the supplied products
- Provide direction and guidance to others in a way that leads to optimal team performance and meets Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) such as safety and quality
- Accountable for sustainable supplier corrective actions as well as supplier PPAP activities
- Assess supplier performance relative to quality and delivery issues
- Develops and reports supplier quality metrics to management
- Manage certification requirements for suppliers
- Provides direction, development and performance management of direct reports
- Develop professional and productive relationship with the Value Stream Leaders in the organization
- Work closely with Logistics team regarding supplier delivery and quality issues
- Coordinate with Finance team to insure proper “charge backs” to the suppliers
- Keeps management team informed of progress, developments and pending problems
- Interprets company policies to workforce and enforces safety regulations
- Supports lean manufacturing practices such as 5S, Kanban, poke-yoke, visual management, 1-piece flow, etc.
- Lead adjustments to activities, tasks and behaviors when changes are necessary to meet customer requirements and company objectives
- Create and implement development plans for assigned personnel to improve overall team performance
- Coach or mentor direct reports and other team members to develop their skills in problem solving, laboratory test methods and leadership
- Manage the training process for all associates and ensure training is carried out within assigned area of responsibility
- Facilitate an environment where direct reports make suggestions to improve processes
- Travel to suppliers and other sites, domestic and international as required
- Hold and/or stop product shipments if it does not conform to the quality requirements
- Override any decisions made to ship non-conforming product
- Works together with Quality Management to obtain/maintain an ISO/IEC 17025 compliant quality management system as well as other quality requirements related to manufacturing processes
- Complies with IATF 16949, ISO 14001, and customer requirements
- Complies with organizational policies and procedures
- Performs other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field
- ASQ Certified Quality Manager Course and Certification and/or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Course and Certification
- 5 – 7+ years’ experience working with automotive IATF 16949 quality management systems and standards with fundamental understanding of quality management systems, process approach, audits, and continuous improvement methods and tools required
- 5 – 7+ years’ experience leading a technical quality team in an automotive or closely related fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Previous quality and/or engineering leadership experience supporting a manufacturing environment required
- Experience supplying and managing APQP deliverables (including entire PPAP submissions) and process capability
- Experience writing, reviewing, and approving detailed technical reports

**Must be authorized to work in the US for any employer
**Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check to be eligible for hire
**Local candidates preferred