Job Purpose
The Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that all incoming materials, components, and parts supplied by vendors meet defined quality standards, specifications, and customer requirements. The role will focus on supplier evaluation, supplier audits, APQP/PPAP, incoming quality, root cause analysis, corrective actions, supplier development, and continuous improvement.
The position will work closely with Purchase, PPC, Production, Engineering, Stores and Quality teams to improve supplier quality, reduce rejection, control PPM, and ensure consistent supply of conforming materials.
Key Responsibilities
1. Supplier Quality Management
- Develop and maintain supplier quality requirements and standards.
- Evaluate and monitor supplier quality performance on a regular basis.
- Establish supplier quality objectives and improvement plans.
- Monitor supplier PPM, rejection, rework, line stoppage, customer complaints and quality-related delivery issues.
- Prepare and review supplier quality performance reports and scorecards.
- Identify critical and high-risk suppliers and initiate improvement actions.
2. Supplier Audit & Assessment
- Conduct supplier process, system and product audits as per defined audit plans.
- Conduct new supplier capability and quality assessments before approval.
- Verify supplier compliance with applicable quality standards and customer requirements.
- Audit manufacturing processes, inspection systems, traceability, calibration, documentation and process controls.
- Prepare audit reports and follow up on identified non-conformities until closure.
- Conduct periodic supplier audits based on supplier performance and risk.
3. APQP & PPAP
- Coordinate with suppliers for APQP and PPAP activities for new and modified products.
- Review and approve supplier PPAP documentation.
- Review documents such as:
- Process Flow Diagram
- PFMEA
- Control Plan
- Work Instructions
- MSA / Gauge R&R
- Capability Study
- Dimensional Reports
- Material Test Reports
- Performance Test Reports
- IMDS / applicable compliance documents
- PSW
- Ensure PPAP approval before regular production / mass supply.
- Track PPAP status and pending actions.
4. Incoming Quality & Supplier Rejection
- Coordinate with IQC/Incoming Quality for supplier material inspection.
- Analyze incoming rejection and identify recurring defects.
- Ensure proper segregation and disposition of rejected material.
- Monitor supplier-related line rejection, rework and production stoppages.
- Develop action plans for repeated supplier defects.
- Ensure effective containment of defective material at supplier and plant locations.
5. Supplier Problem Solving
- Raise supplier quality complaints and ensure timely response.
- Lead supplier 8D / CAPA activities for major quality issues.
- Ensure proper root cause analysis using tools such as:
- 5 Why Analysis
- Fishbone Diagram
- Pareto Analysis
- Why-Why Analysis
- SPC
- Control Plan review
- Verify implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions.
- Conduct follow-up audits where required to ensure permanent corrective action.
6. Supplier Development
- Work with suppliers to improve process capability and product quality.
- Support suppliers in reducing rejection, PPM, rework and customer complaints.
- Identify process improvement opportunities at supplier locations.
- Provide technical guidance regarding process controls, inspection methods and quality requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement projects with critical suppliers.
- Support supplier development activities for new products and localization.
7. Quality Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain supplier quality records, audit reports, PPAP documents, 8D reports and corrective action records.
- Ensure proper control and traceability of supplier quality documentation.
- Ensure suppliers comply with applicable company, customer and statutory requirements.
- Support implementation and maintenance of IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 requirements, wherever applicable.
8. Cross-Functional Coordination
- Coordinate with Purchase for supplier selection and performance improvement.
- Work with Engineering/NPD for new product development and supplier approval.
- Coordinate with Production and PPC regarding supplier-related quality and production issues.
- Work with Stores and IQC for incoming material quality concerns.
- Participate in supplier review meetings and management quality reviews.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Supplier PPM
- Supplier Rejection %
- Incoming Quality Rejection
- Supplier 8D Closure on Time
- Repeat Supplier Complaints
- Supplier Audit Score
- Audit NC Closure %
- PPAP On-Time Approval %
- Supplier Line Rejection
- Supplier-Related Line Stoppage
- Supplier Corrective Action Effectiveness
- Supplier Quality Improvement Projects
Required Technical Knowledge
- Good knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan and MSA.
- Strong understanding of 8D, CAPA, Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving.
- Knowledge of supplier process and system audits.
- Knowledge of incoming inspection and supplier rejection analysis.
- Understanding of SPC and process capability (Cp/Cpk).
- Knowledge of measuring instruments and inspection methods.
- Understanding of drawings, specifications and engineering standards.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 requirements.
- Good knowledge of MS Excel and preparation of quality reports.
Key Skills
- Supplier audit and development skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
- Good knowledge of manufacturing processes
- Data analysis and trend identification
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to work with cross-functional teams
- Good documentation and reporting skills
- Decision-making and follow-up capability
- Attention to detail
- Willingness to travel to supplier locations for audits and improvement activities
Preferred Certifications
- IATF 16949 Internal Auditor
- ISO 9001 Internal Auditor
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- Core Tools Training – APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, MSA & SPC
- VDA 6.3 Auditor certification will be an added advantage
Key Deliverables
The SQA Specialist is expected to ensure:
- Consistent quality of supplier materials and components.
- Reduction in supplier PPM and rejection.
- Timely closure of supplier quality complaints.
- Effective implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
- Timely completion and approval of PPAP.
- Improvement in supplier audit scores.
- Reduction in repeat quality issues.
- Improved supplier process capability and overall supplier performance.
Working Conditions
- The role may require regular visits to supplier locations for audits, quality problem-solving and supplier development activities.
- The candidate should be comfortable working in a manufacturing/plant environment and coordinating with multiple departments and suppliers.
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree / Diploma in Mechanical, Production, Industrial, Quality Engineering or related field.
- B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical/Production/Industrial Engineering will be preferred.
Experience
- 3–7 years of relevant experience in Supplier Quality / Vendor Quality / Quality Assurance in an automotive or auto-component manufacturing environment.
- Experience in sheet metal, fabrication, machining, welding, plastic, rubber or automotive components will be preferred.
Pay: ₹30,000.00 - ₹40,000.00 per month
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
