Supplier Performance Engineer

Let's introduce ourselves

We are seeking a Supplier Performance Engineer to join our team in Ridgeville, SC, supporting the launch and ongoing production of new vehicle programs. The role focuses on proactively evaluating and managing supplier manufacturing and logistics systems to eliminate variability in quality and delivery.  You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine product and process designs, improve quality, and reduce costs. 

What you'll do

•    Collaborate with the Global Category team for assigned commodities. 
•    Plan and execute audit activities across the global organization, prioritizing areas of business risk and ensuring governance committees are informed of significant issues. 
•    Identify organization-wide issues and drive process or system improvements to mitigate risk. 
•    Engage stakeholders, including management, to understand needs, address concerns, and lead development of stakeholder communication plans. 
•    Develop and present materials that for critical audiences, including sensitive presentations. 
•    Drive program launches with Volvo stakeholders and supplier teams.  
•    Monitor and manage team activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.  
•    Develop, interpret, and implement procedures and policies, advising the wider organization on their application. 
•    Provide training and coaching to internal and external stakeholders to enable performance improvement. 
•    Support the annual Commodity Business Plans (CBP). 
•    Perform supplier evaluations prior to sourcing decisions. 
•    Lead APQP reviews, drive resolution of supplier-related actions, communicate risks to the Program Management team, and ensure timely PPAP submission. 
•    Conduct regular assessments during running operations, drive resolution of deviations, and lead continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers (including VQE programs). 
•    Manage supplier quality incidents using the 8D process and resolve delivery issues, including constraint cases. 

What you'll bring

•    Technical university degree or equivalent.
•    Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in supplier quality, new product launches, and process development within the automotive industry.
•    Experience with injection molding including paint processes or complex seating systems preferred. 
•    Strong applied knowledge in APQP, PPAP, lean principles, and problem-solving methodologies (including 8D). 
•    Project management experience is strongly preferred.
•    Experience in supplier greensite start-ups, BIW, or functional plastics preferred. 
•    Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel. 
•    Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50% - 70% of working time.
•    Fluent in written and spoken English.