SQM Engineer
Core
Lead and manage day-to-day Supplier Quality activities for Category suppliers in India and Asia, driving Zero Defect culture and ensuring consistent supplier performance to support product launches.
Role type
Senior Supplier Quality Manager (Category)
Builds
Supplier quality performance, supplier improvement programs, and category-specific quality standards for automotive components.
Domain
Automotive manufacturing, metal forming, and supply chain quality management.
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
VDA 6.3 audits, APQP, PPAP, supplier maturity evaluation, escalation management, change management, supplier improvement programs, category strategy alignment, design review, sourcing decision support, Red Alert management, lessons learned implementation, multi-disciplinary team collaboration.
Preferred skills
Metal material and metal forming expertise, AIAG requirements knowledge, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 8D management, SPC, industrial engineering, production processes (cold forming, turning, machining, heat treatment, technical cleanliness, AOI, functional testing, assembly, motors technologies).
Technologies
MS Office, MS Project, Minitab, Visio, IATF 16949, ISO 14001.
Responsibilities
Lead and manage day-to-day Supplier Quality Function for Category suppliers in India and Asia; Perform and follow up VDA 6.3 audits with suppliers and assess potential new suppliers; Maintain the Global Category Supplier Panel aligned with Procurement Category Strategy; Support definition and implementation of category-specific quality standards; Initiate and manage supplier improvement programs with Supplier top Management; Support BU/Plant SQM Teams in Supplier Maturity Evaluation, Design review, Sourcing decision, APQP, Run@rate, and PPAP; Manage worldwide escalations and prepare Management meetings with suppliers (e.g., Red Alerts); Drive Lessons Learned & Read Across items to avoid recurrences.
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC with leadership responsibilities.