Title:  Supplier Quality Engineer

JOB TITLE: Supplier Quality Engineer

Location: Heredia, Costa Rica

JOB ROLE

Ensure that suppliers meet the quality standards and technical specifications required for electronic components for the industrial and automotive markets through the evaluation, development, and ongoing monitoring of their performance, thereby contributing to operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and industry regulatory compliance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and evaluate suppliers, leading quality audits at supplier facilities (on-site and remote), and approving new suppliers according to internal and regulatory standards.
• Perform supply chain risk analysis and plan corrective actions, as well as maintain an updated database of approved suppliers and their quality assessments.
• Monitor supplier performance, overseeing key performance indicators (KPIs) such as PPM (Parts per Million), delivery compliance, and responsiveness.
• Analyze quality data to identify trends and potential areas for improvement, issuing regular reports on supplier quality status and improvement proposals, and implementing periodic reviews with suppliers to discuss performance and improvements.
• Manage non-conformities, investigate and resolve quality issues related to supplied materials or components, and implement immediate containment processes to minimize impacts on production.
• Perform root cause analysis and monitoring using methodologies such as 8D, Ishikawa, or 5 Why's, as well as design and oversee the implementation of corrective and preventive action plans for suppliers.
• Develop suppliers, collaborating with them to implement continuous improvement processes in line with the organization's expectations. Ensure that suppliers implement appropriate quality management systems (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, etc.), conduct technical or quality training for suppliers, and encourage the adoption of best practices.
•  Participate in co-design projects with suppliers to optimize components and processes.
• Validate materials and components. Review and approve PPAPs (Production Part Approval Processes) and related documents such as FMEAs, control plans, and flowcharts.
• Coordinate component validation testing to ensure compliance with customer specifications, as well as manage the approval of initial samples and follow-up on dimensional and functional inspections. Likewise, ensure that technical specifications are understood and correctly applied by suppliers.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, ensuring that suppliers comply with applicable regulations (RoHS, REACH, ISO, IATF, etc.). Conduct regulatory compliance audits and oversee the necessary documentation, and participate in internal and external audits related to supply chain quality. Monitor regulatory changes and ensure that suppliers adapt their processes accordingly.
• Actively participate with engineering, production, and purchasing teams to ensure efficient integration of materials into the production line, as well as in project management for new product development, ensuring that suppliers meet required deadlines and standards. Collaborate with internal quality teams to ensure alignment between customer expectations and supplier capabilities.
• Facilitate interdepartmental meetings to align objectives and resolve supplier quality issues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Industrial Engineering-Materials or related degree.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in similar roles
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 management systems (Desirable)
• Advanced knowledge of Office environment, statistical software (MiniTab or JMP)
• Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, use of failure analysis tools, SAP (Desirable)
• Knowledge of quality management systems, quality procedures, and application of quality tools (e.g., 8D, MSA, SPC, performance analysis, etc.).
• B1+ English required.