Specialist

Specialist, Supplier Quality Engineering (L3)

Reference #35683

Waterdown, ON

About the Role

The Supplier Quality Engineering Specialist role is responsible for ensuring that external suppliers consistently deliver products and services to consistently meet Wescam’s supplier quality requirements. This role partners closely with engineering, supply chain, program management, operations and suppliers to drive quality performance, mitigate risk, and ensure product compliance throughout the lifecycle.   Lead continuous improvement activities, including the review of supplier capabilities and perform supplier audits to drive measurable improvements against defined quality metrics.

Primary Responsibilities 

• Supplier qualification and management
  • Understanding the requirements, work with Engineering and the Buyer to assess the technical capability and roadmap of the supplier
  • Perform supplier audits for risk and capabilities
  • Identify gaps and opportunities for supplier development using ZDP (zero defect plan) and QIP (quality improvement plan)
•  Determine and assign capable, qualified supplier(s) to parts on Teamcenter and ERP, ensuring alignment with technical requirements, quality standards, and organizational sourcing strategies.
• Specifications/document/product compliance and alignment
  • Verify compliance to all product specifications, acceptance testing
  • Align product verification/test between supplier and the internal factory
• Look for and analyze trends for issues
  • Analyze SINs (Supplier Initiated Non Conformances) & NCRs (Non Conformances) to ensure that trends are identified and resolved
  • Ensure link to the shop floor, supply chain, CSG (Customer Service Group) and EFFA (Early Field Failure Analysis)
  • Drive (RCCA) Root Cause Corrective Actions, SCARs (supplier Corrective Action Review) and NCRs to closure
  • Report trends at applicable reviews and execute plans to action
  • Create project plans to close out issues
• Perform FAI (First Article Inspection) per AS9102 requirements and part inspections at source and at incoming
• Participate in the Quality Alert, Corrective Action Board & containment processes
• Responsible for defining and communicating material handling and traceability requirements from the supply chain through to internal storage at Wescam ensuring proper preservation, identification, and handling of all sourced materials.
• Actively participate in all internal and external technical reviews with cross‑functional teams to ensure specification compliance, design for manufacturability, testability, and cost‑effectiveness of sourced parts and assemblies.
• Perform supplier process assessments at the source
  • Ensure the suppliers build & test processes are robust and repeatable
  • Ensure that the product can be produced in the most economic, efficient and effective way
  • Utilize techniques such as PFMEA, 8D RCCA , Fishbone, 5 why analysis
  • Perform additional responsibilities related to supplier quality and cross‑functional support as assigned by the Manager to meet departmental and organizational objectives.

Required Capabilities 

• Strong  critical thinking and analytical skills and ability to analyze supplier or vendor data along with internal metrics.
• Highly technical mindset and thorough knowledge of technical elements of manufacturing and engineering with the ability to identify process variability, as well as making informed judgement and recommendation within the supply chain.
• Quality assurance skills with the ability to inspect product and identify gaps in manufacturing processes.
• Ability to lead projects to improve supplier quality.
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Excellent technical communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Dynamic, resourceful and known for sense of initiative (leadership, innovative, problem solver).

Desired Education and Experiences 

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 4 years of prior relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.
• Extensive experience supporting Electronics Manufacturing of Surface-Mount Technologies, Through-Hole Technologies and Wire harness Assemblies to relevant IPC standards,  OR proven ability to rapidly acquire a high level of competence in new technical areas.
• Lead 8D root cause, project or quality improvement plans, APQP, PPAP
• Green Belt Certification or equivalent industry lean experience an asset, but not required
• ASQ CQE or CSQP an asset
• P.Eng. designation an asset, but not required
• GD&T per ASME Y14.5 – 2009 (or newer) knowledge and practice Demonstrated experience with quality management systems such as ISO/AS9100D (or newer).
• Experience with supplier audits
• May have practical knowledge of project management
• Eligibility to obtain CGP clearance

*This posting is for a current vacancy.  In the province of Ontario, Canada, the pay range for this position will be $80,000 to $104,000

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