Supplier Quality and Development Engineer

Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Milford, New Hampshire (USA), Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc. is the premier supplier of complete-to-print, high-volume, complex thin-wall investment castings and fully-finished casting-based subassemblies and components to industry. The company leads the industry in volume production, reduced lead-times and just-in-time manufacturing. Hitchiner produces castings in hundreds of different alloys for a broad spectrum of global markets and customers that include the leaders in the automotive, aerospace, and other industries.

We offer an enriching environment where learning and growing become part of your career. Hitchiner is dedicated to fostering the professional growth and development of our employees. We offer upward mobility and internal promotions.

Benefits:

Hitchiner offers highly competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Onsite state of the art Gym/Fitness Center, open 24/7 for all employees
• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Basic and Accidental Life Insurance (company paid)
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance (company paid)
• 401K (pre-tax and ROTH) with Excellent Company Match and Immediate Vesting
• Company Profit Sharing Plan
• 3 weeks' Vacation to start; 4 weeks' Vacation at 5 Years; 5 weeks' Vacation at 10 years seniority
• We set you up for success with our "Center for Excellence" onsite training center for new hires and existing employees to improve new learning and continuous growth
• Training and Educational Assistance Programs

Prime Responsibilities and Major Factors in Evaluating Performance:

1. Responsible for evaluating and approving new suppliers through analysis and evaluation of their Quality Systems, assuring to deliver best competitive advantage on cost, quality and delivery.

o Lead cross-functional activity for supplier approval and qualification process.

o Interface with Procurement, Quality, Operations, Engineering, and NPI to develop and execute supplier development plans to achieve world class performance in the supply chain.

o Assure supplier process controls/capability and eliminating waste in supplier processes using Effective Problem Solving, Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing.

o Establish quality standards for supply base and drive "Zero Defect" culture within the supply base.

2. Assure the quality of the services and products supplied to Hitchiner Manufacturing and follow up on corrective actions to address incidents that affects the manufacturing facilities. Champion problem solving and root cause analysis with suppliers to eliminate recurrence of nonconformance.

3. Monitor, maintain and publish supplier's scorecards, reflecting the performance ranking according to defined metrics & objectives.

4. Review, evaluate, and approve First Article inspection per the requirements of AS9102, PPAP, and other aspects of APQP process and maintain records of these documents.

5. Maintain vendor database and ensure Supplier Quality System Survey and suppliers' certifications/approvals are up to date in Internal system.

6. Coordinate improvement meetings with low performance suppliers to assure all suppliers meet Hitchiner expectations.

7. Organize supplier summits to standardize and update all key suppliers on Hitchiner expectations and goals.

8. Support supplier recognition meetings to keep good performance trends.

9. Engage on multiple supplier development projects that are focused on increasing capacity for Hitchiner, while reducing risk of poor quality and late delivery.

10. Perform Suppliers/ Subcontractors audits to ensure compliance and performance measurement objectives are achieved.

11. Review and disposition nonconforming material (independent or in conjunction with Engineering) to determine rework, request for deviation, scrap, or the most appropriate course of action.

12. Work with suppliers to minimize scrap and rework through effective problem identification, communication, and problem-solving to improve the quality of products and/or process

13. Liaison with Quality (AS9100, IATF16949, ISO9001, NADCAP and customer specific requirements)

14. Support and Involvement in Technology efficiencies leading to Operations efficiencies.

15. Assist with sub-contract load optimization.

16. Supplier Collaboration integrating internal CI activities with suppliers, implementing lean manufacturing techniques to minimize inventory flow and disruptions.

17. Develop sound methodologies for Sub-contract Risk Mitigation by identifying elements of risk, probability factor, cost impact and prioritization for action, monitoring or prevention

Additional Responsibilities:

1. May be involved in training and developing supplier representatives as well as less experienced technical internal personnel.

2. Travel by automobile and plane required 50% of the time.

3. Observe the Hitchiner code of conduct, safety and quality principles.

4. Perform internal audits per ISO/IATF16949/AS9100 quality standards and customer-specific requirements as required

5. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications:

1. B.S. degree in business management, engineering or technology with 8+ years related experience or equal years' experience.

2. Project planning/management skills, APQP, as well as effective problem solving, root cause/corrective action skills.

3. Possess strong interpersonal skills with all levels of the organization; work with teams to solve dynamic problems. Know and understand business needs; maintain a high level of trust and confidence. Effectively adapt changing technology to business needs.

4. Possess a working knowledge of organizational compliance/internal audit principles.

5. Must possess good communication, strong research, writing and analytical skills. Must have strong vendor relationship skills.

6. Solve problems effectively and efficiently; communicate clearly to Team Leadership. Strong ability to share knowledge with others and show how to execute.

7. Vision requirement of 20/20 or better in at least one eye, per the J1 standard as well as color perception.

We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or handicap, or any other legally protected status. EOE/Veterans/Disabled are encouraged to apply.