Engineer Supplier QA

About Us

As a family-owned company, it’s the people who continue to make STIHL a successful, world-class brand.  Since revolutionizing the forestry industry in Germany with the first electric chainsaw in 1926, the STIHL name has remained synonymous with outstanding innovations, high-quality products and comprehensive service.

STIHL is seeking a highly motivated, passionate Supply Quality Engineer to join our Quality Supplier team at our corporate headquarters in Virginia Beach, VA! With competitive compensation, excellent benefits and exciting growth potential, it's a great time to join the STIHL team.

Position highlights include: 

• Multiple bonus opportunities with potential annual merit increases
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Onsite Health & Wellness Center for employees and family members
• Company Paid Short & Long-Term Disability
• Company provided Life Insurance
• Fully vested after 5 years Pension Plan
• 401k Plan with employer match
• Vacation, & Sick time with 11 paid holidays

About You

This individual will act as a lead contributor to the procurement team for assessing, developing, and evaluating the production and quality capabilities of STIHL's supply base. This is ensured through the application of globally and locally developed quality methods, understanding of requirements, problem solving, and development of the supplierﾒs processes and capabilities. The SQE acts as the liaison between the supplier and STIHL for quality, production, and process capability related concerns.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Analyze data and develop value added reporting graphics on supplier performance, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Apply systematic techniques to conduct, analyze, and evaluate quality challenges. E.g. DOE, FMEA, GR&R, etc.
• Participates as a team member to support and develop diversity, expertise, and stability.
• Facilitate implementation of elements of APQP with new and existing suppliers on projects.
• Drive quality and process improvements, such as quality agreements, quality specifications, in collaboration with Commodity Managers, Procurement Supply Chain, Purchasing, R&D and Internal Customers.
• Conduct supplier audits as needed of supplier's production locations and sub-tier suppliers to ensure the supplier has the quality and production capabilities to meet STIHL's requirements and expectations.
• Participate with internally assigned group tasks such as project management, APQP, Supplier Evaluation, Monthly reporting, etc.
• Create, maintain, and document Quality notifications to ensure they contain valued information and documented actions.
• Participate in the assessment, release, and development of new and existing series suppliers.
• Notifies and negotiates sorting and rework actions with suppliers to realize equitable solutions.
• Contribute in the development and execution of inspection plans, testing methods, inspection rates, and inspection techniques.
• Champion the development of supplier quality improvement plans for the nominated supply chain. 
• Assist internal customers to identify, confirm, and address quality and design issues regarding purchased goods or services.
• Work with internal teams to ensure the consistent application of specifications, functional, testing, and inspection requirements.
• Determine disposition of reject goods or services; including developing and releasing sorting or rework criterion.
• Lead supplier actions to ensure objectives are sustainable, and completed in a timely manner.
• Champion internal and external efforts to monitor, consider, and reduce cost of quality.
• Participate in the creation, development, and implementation of local systems or controls.
• Escalate complex issues within the department.

Specifications

• 3+ years of demonstrated experience in supplier quality engineering required; with emphasis on quality principles and methods.
• Experience working with international suppliers and manufacturing standards.
• Intermediate level in auditing, assessing production, corporate social responsibility, environmental, sustainability, and quality capabilities according to international standards such as ISO 9001, IATF, VDA, and ISO 14001.
• Intermediate level in using systematic techniques, quality tools, and methodologies. E.g. 5 WHY, 8D, APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, Process flow, etc.
• Intermediate level in process control, APQP, PPAP, SPC, control plans, PFMEA and GR&R studies.
• Intermediate level analytical skills (problem solver) with ability to diagnose root causes and influence sustainable actions.
• Intermediate level verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with domestic and international suppliers while assuming a lead role in activities.
• Ability to involve all stake holders (internal and external) in communicating roadblocks at suppliers.
• Support activities at the plant level involving the supply chain to achieve most optimum and sustainable results.
• Ability to act as a team player and work on most tasks independently or with some supervision.
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally is required.