Supplier Quality Engineer

Supplier Quality Engineer

Date: Jul 2, 2026

Location(s):

Lebanon, TN, US, 37090

Company: A. O. Smith Corporation

Business Unit: LOCHINVAR

Workplace Setting: Onsite

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

This is a fully onsite posituon working at our facility in Lebanon, TN.

Primary Function

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for the implementation and use of supplier management activities and procedures designed to improve supplier performance as defined by the A. O. Smith Supplier Requirements Manual. This position should drive incoming quality by evaluating new and existing suppliers, driving the incoming quality verification program, and resolving supplier issues to closure in a timely manner utilizing the supplier corrective action system. The SQE works with suppliers to develop and improve an entire supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate work of Receiving Inspectors.

• Generate and maintain incoming inspection procedures. Trains inspectors to these procedures.

• Utilize statistical tools to analyze supplier defects.

• Conduct root cause analysis of supplier defects making it to the manufacturing line to determine the cause of quality problems and implement corrective and preventative actions to improve quality and minimize variability.

• Analyze data using computer data acquisition systems and generate reports for management.

• Review quality analysis conclusions and recommend necessary changes to quality procedures.

• Complete and/or review supplier PPAPs.

• Serve as a liaison with suppliers to ensure quality and prompt responsive action to any quality issue.

• Prepare and analyze reports on rejected and/or defective products.

• Lead and direct assigned QA projects and QA teams to meet goals.

• May assist with Performance Evaluations of technicians and/or engineers within assigned work team and/or provide input for hiring needs.

• Report any and all serious and/or repetitive quality problems to the Quality Assurance Manager.

• May perform quality analysis on a specific subset of products or processes.

• Perform any other activities as needed or as directed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering

• 5+ years of experience with manufacturing, quality, and technical expertise

Additional Qualifications:

• ASQ – CQE / CSQP or CQA preferred

• Master’s Degree in Engineering preferred

• Trade Certification, such as Certified Quality Engineer, preferred

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and develop quality initiatives

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of technicians and/or engineers

• Strong working knowledge and application of Quality processes, procedures, and tools (SPC, Six Sigma, Statistical Analysis)

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes

• Strong communication and leadership abilities

• Proficiency with computers and programs, specifically Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Mini-tab

• Expertise in geometric dimensioning, trigonometry, and tolerance as well as mistake proof concepts and implementation

• Expertise in disciplines approaches to problem solving such as 8D or 5P

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals.

• Ability to work independently and as a team to meet deadlines and goals

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Physical Requirements

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.

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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.

Nearest Major Market:Nashville