Sr Supplier Development Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Commodity Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for leading all supplier quality activities related to supplier assessment, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), supplier development, process validation, component development, and structured problem solving for outsourced production materials. The role ensures that supplier performance consistently supports ZF and external customer requirements while maintaining compliance with global quality objectives, corporate standards, and local regulatory requirements.

What you can look forward as Supplier Quality Engineer:

• Lead supplier quality and readiness activities for new product launches, supplier onboarding, and APQP/PPAP execution to ensure compliance with ZF, AIAG, VDA, and IATF standards.
• Conduct supplier assessments and audits (VDA 6.3, IATF, AIAG, and ZF-specific audits) to evaluate capability, approve new suppliers, and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide technical expertise in manufacturing processes and commodities, including feasibility studies, supplier evaluations, process reviews, engineering changes, and print-to-process verification.
• Drive supplier quality performance through KPI monitoring, defect reduction, PPM improvement, corrective action management, process capability enhancement, and supplier development initiatives.
• Apply advanced quality and problem-solving methodologies, including APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Support and lead supplier issue resolution and escalation management, including customer complaints, field issues, quality concerns, and APQP escalation levels for new and serial production.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and quality teams, maintaining strong supplier relationships and ensuring timely execution of quality objectives.
• Develop, maintain, and improve quality systems and documentation, while supporting regional and global supplier quality initiatives and traveling extensively (40%-70%) to supplier locations.

Your profile as Supplier Quality Engineer:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 6+ years of experience in Quality, Process Engineering, and Project Management.
• Subject matter expert in Casting commodities and High-Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) components, with strong knowledge of production methods.
• Advanced problem-solving and quality expertise, including Six Sigma, SPC, PFMEA, Control Plans, GD&T, and MSA.
• Strong leadership and training capabilities, with proven ability to coach teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Effective cross-functional collaborator, skilled at working with all organizational levels to resolve complex technical and quality issues.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint)
• Willing to travel extensively (40%-70%) to support business needs. 

What we offer at ZF Gray Court:

A supportive collaborative team environment

Annual Incentive Plan

Paid Vacation

Personal Time

401k Plan

Health Care Benefits

Paid Holidays

A strong diversity culture

Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities