Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Summary

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer focuses on the ABS supplier management of components performance. The SQE is responsible for ensuring the Supplier Quality Management System status is developed to supply ABS with high-quality components. In the event there are non-conformances, this role will quickly and effectively take necessary actions to partner with the supplier to identify root-cause analysis and resolve the problem. The Senior SQE drives overall component quality improvements and coaches ABS teams on product and process improvements to ensure effective manufacturing processes throughput.

Responsibilities

• Review engineering and manufacturing specifications to identify materials needed for product assembly for all manufactured goods.
• Contact vendors and liaise between product engineers, manufacturing personnel, and suppliers to resolve quality concerns for the production floor.
• Conduct supplier quality control audits to ensure vendors and their supplies remain in compliance with company and federal manufacturing and production standards.
• Communicate with vendors regularly to address any concerns and foster an environment that facilitates continual improvement in working relationships.
• Understand and interpret all manufacturing audits, including IATF16949 and other industry standards.
• Maintain a supplier database and include performance evaluations and quality control audits in the database for in-house access by company and manufacturing management personnel.
• Assist with logistics, including communications with vendors when there are packaging and receiving issues when materials arrive at the receiving dock.
• Driving supplier quality performance, including new product development and product quality improvement.
• Providing leadership and management for supplier quality and purchasing department.
• Assist with overseeing supplier quality team and establishing quality control objectives.
• Drive problem solving activities including supplier sorting, third party sorting at ABS site or off site and ensuring timely RMA of the suspect material back to the supplier without negative impact to the ABS production.
• Coordinate with Supplier Development Engineering (SDE) team to ensure PPAPed components are shipped to production.
• Train and coach supplier, quality team and manufacturing team on quality tools, quality initiatives and problem resolutions.
• Promoting initiatives to improve quality.
• Adhere to federal and state regulations.
• Adhere to all company policies, processes, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience managing a certified quality management system (e.g., TS 16949, ISO).
• Exceptional mechanical or electrical aptitude (i.e., intuitive understanding of mechanical processes).
• Minimum of five (5) years of a proven track record of driving continuous quality improvement in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in the automotive industry; Battery, Electronics, or Powertrain manufacturing preferred.
• Previous work experience in an organization that supplied large OEMs.
• Customer quality assurance experience.
• Previous audit experience.

Key Competencies

• Focuses on Quality: Drives work results with a quality focus on actions and results.
• Decision Making & Analysis: Makes sound decisions based upon a mixture of data-driven analysis, expertise, experience, and judgment; collects relevant information, seeks input from others, and identifies connections and/or root causes of problems.
• Takes Initiative: Exhibits strong drive for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and drives issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.
• Integrity: Acts and makes decisions in a manner consistent with the needs of the public in the delivery of products/services. Acts in line with the culture and norms of both the organization and society in general.
• Leads Change: Persistently moves in the face of ambiguity, dilemmas, and resistance to get completion of changes in an organized way; adapts with flexibility to and copes with changing situations while maintaining focus on goals.
• Continual Improvement: Displays a consistent orientation toward producing the highest quality products or services while keeping a focus on sustainability. Constantly looking for incremental improvements in work processes and results.
• Partnership Development: Establishes productive and effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.
• May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below knee level or reach overhead.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about in industrial environments and uneven terrain.
• Works in a temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions and in industrial environments.
• The noise level in the work environment can be moderately loud.

Why Join Us

American Battery Solutions (ABS) provides comprehensive 100% employer paid benefit plans to employees and their family, competitive salary and retirement program. ABS employs a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Benefits Overview

• Paid time off includes 4 weeks, 15 holidays, and parental leave.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) offerings.
• Company provided 401K savings plan with immediately vested matching contributions to help you save for retirement.
• Voluntary benefits offerings.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee Referral Program.
• Employee development and career growth opportunities.

About Us

American Battery Solutions Inc. (“ABS”) is a manufacturer of advanced batteries for commercial, fleet, and industrial on- and off-road vehicles. Located in the heart of the U.S. automotive region with facilities in Michigan and Ohio. In 2023, ABS was acquired by Komatsu, a world leader in construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment in support of Komatsu’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. ABS continues to operate as an independent entity serving Komatsu applications while continuing to expand and grow our core commercial, fleet and industrial business.

As we have grown, ABS has assembled a world-class team of dedicated and experienced engineers. This team is equipped with a deep understanding of high-voltage, automotive-grade battery systems from concept development and prototyping, to testing and validation, to high-volume production. We pride ourselves on developing a diverse team of next generation battery experts.

The Location – Springboro, OH

American Battery Solutions Advanced Battery Manufacturing Center is located in beautiful and historic Springboro Ohio. Life in Springboro is all about the quality and character of our community and that is why Springboro continues to be a top-ten-rated City to live, work, play, and raise a family. In fact, Springboro was rated #3 among the top 10 communities in greater Southwest Ohio. In essence, Springboro appeals to everyone from young families to people looking for the perfect place to retire. Our great neighborhoods, excellent schools, safety, services, and amenities all contribute to Springboro’s exceptional quality of life. Springboro offers a variety of public programming that includes outdoor concerts, festivals, and fireworks. Our residents enjoy bike and walking trails, an 18-hole public golf course, a charming and vibrant historic district, and 501 acres of parks.

AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.