Supplier Quality Specialist

Supplier Quality Specialist

Onsite in Ansonia, CT

Only candidates residing in or near Ansonia, CT will be considered. This position does not offer relocation assistance.

Here at Westfall Technik, we pride ourselves on being the fastest growing Plastic Injection Manufacturing Company in the USA and soon Globally. While many companies outsource their work, we believe in keeping our jobs in the US. We currently support over 1,500 employees across 15 facilities in the US, and we are still growing.

At our Ansonia, CT site, we invest in our people. Our overall success is largely contributed to our team members skills and talents, that have been impactful and essential to the growth of our business. Here, you'll get the opportunity to test your knowledge and skills and become a critical player within Westfall. We want you to view your time at Westfall as an investment to your future.

Job Overview

Supplier Quality Specialist is responsible for ensuring that purchased materials, off-the-components, and outsourced services provided by external suppliers meet the company's quality, technical, and regulatory requirements. This role is critical in preventing supplier-related defects, minimizing manufacturing disruptions, and supporting continuous improvement across the supply chain.

The SQE partners closely with Suppliers, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to manage supplier qualification, audits, performance monitoring, and corrective actions. Through data-driven analysis and structured problem-solving, the SQE protects product integrity, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier Quality Management
• Lead supplier qualification, approval, and requalification processes for new and existing suppliers.
• Conduct onsite and virtual supplier audits to assess compliance with quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF, AS standards as applicable).
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes, controls, and risk levels.
• Incoming Quality & Process Control
• Define and implement incoming inspection plans and acceptance criteria for supplier-provided materials and components.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and change notices to ensure supplier alignment.
• Support PPAP, FAI, or equivalent supplier validation activities as required.
• Defect Resolution & Corrective Action
• Lead investigations of supplier-related nonconformances and defects.
• Issue Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR) for nonconformances.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and verify effectiveness to prevent recurrence.
• Supplier Performance & Continuous Improvement
• Monitor supplier performance using KPIs such as DPPM, PPM, on-time delivery, and corrective action responsiveness.
• Maintain supplier scorecards and performance dashboards.
• Collaborate with suppliers on continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality, capability, and reliability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Act as the primary quality liaison between suppliers and internal stakeholders (Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Management).
• Communicate quality expectations, technical requirements, and engineering changes to suppliers.
• Participate in internal reviews, MRB discussions, and quality improvement projects.
• Documentation & Compliance
• Maintain accurate supplier quality documentation, audit reports, corrective action records, and performance data.
• Ensure supplier compliance with regulatory, customer, and internal quality requirements.
• Support internal and external audits related to supplier quality.
• Other Duties as Assigned
• Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support the team and meet operational priorities.

Specific Skill Set

Communication

Clear and professional communication with suppliers, internal teams, and leadership. Strong negotiation and influence skills to drive supplier accountability and improvement.

Presentation

Ability to prepare and present supplier performance reviews, audit findings, and quality metrics to management. Comfortable presenting data-driven insights and improvement plans to cross-functional and executive audiences.

System

Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS), ERP/MRP systems, and supplier portals. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and data-tracking tools.

Analytics

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret quality data, trends, and performance metrics. Structured problem-solving mindset with a focus on root cause elimination rather than containment.

Exposure

• Experience working in a manufacturing environment (e.g., plastics, machining, electronics, tooling, or assembly).
• Exposure to supplier audits, vendor management, and cross-functional manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is preferred.
• Experience working with domestic and/or international suppliers is a plus. Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Quality, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing) or related field.
• 3–5+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, or Manufacturing Quality.
• Hands-on experience with supplier audits, defect resolution, and quality performance management.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is usually in an office within a manufacturing facility with low to moderate noise level. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to work well with others, one on one, remote, via video and phone.
• Ability to work independently

Westfall -Technik is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age for individuals age 40 and over, medical condition (as defined by state law (for example, cancer or genetic characteristics or HIV/AIDS), marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.