Quality Control Specialist (Supplier)

Role Overview

The Quality Control Specialist supports plant quality systems to ensure that manufactured parts received from suppliers meet or exceed the company’s regulatory requirements.

This role focuses on problem-solving, root cause analysis, audits, and continuous improvement across manufacturing processes, suppliers, and customer-facing quality issues.

This position is ideal for a quality professional who enjoys hands-on investigation, cross-functional collaboration, and improving real-world manufacturing outcomes.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Customer, Supplier & Plant Quality

• Act as a quality liaison between the plant, customers, and suppliers
• Support investigation, containment, and resolution of quality issues affecting customer products
• Coordinate quality activities for new and existing projects to meet customer requirements

Quality Systems & Process Control

• Analyze manufacturing processes for failure modes, stability, and capability
• Support and maintain core quality documents including Control Plans, PFMEA, ISIR, inspection standards, and quality assurance plans
• Review raw materials and purchased parts for conformance to quality standards

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Work with Manufacturing to initiate containment, corrective actions, and countermeasures
• Analyze quality data and provide improvement recommendations
• Support warranty and service part quality issues as needed

Audits & Compliance

• Conduct quality audits, including end-use or vehicle evaluations
• Support customer, supplier, and internal audits
• Assist with development and maintenance of quality management system procedures (e.g., TS 16949)

Engineering & Change Management

• Coordinate quality-related Engineering Change Instructions (ECIs)
• Support process changes, trial parts, sample reviews, and change-point tracking
• Ensure inspection equipment is approved and maintained within the calibration system

Training & Reporting

• Prepare and present quality improvement plans
• Train team members on quality systems, standards, and procedures
• Support KPI reporting, quality circles, launch documentation, and other QC initiatives

Required Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or related field required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Trade education or quality certifications are preferred

Experience

• Entry-level to 4 years of Quality Control experience
• Experience in manufacturing environments
• Exposure to quality control methods and statistical process control (SPC)

Technical Knowledge & Skills

• Working knowledge of quality audit techniques
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling, and equipment
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T
• Familiarity with PFMEA, Control Plans, ISIR, and process flow documentation
• Experience with Toyota production systems, SQAM, or launch processes preferred
• Welding process knowledge (arc, spot, projection) is a plus
• Experience with measuring tools and inspection equipment preferred

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities
• Effective communicator across operations, engineering, and management
• Hands-on, self-starter mentality
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Willingness to work fixed or rotating shifts, including overtime as needed

Language

• English required (written and verbal)
• Japanese language skills are a plus

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• AutoCAD experience is desirable

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Combination of office and automotive manufacturing plant environment
• PPE such as safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, and hearing protection required in plant areas
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the plant
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally
• Willingness to travel up to 25% with short notice to supplier or customer locations

Why This Role Matters

This role plays a critical part in protecting customer trust, maintaining product integrity, and driving continuous quality improvement throughout the manufacturing process.

Disclaimer

This job description describes the general nature of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform essential functions. Employment is at-will.