Supplier Quality Engineer

About Kennametal

With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2.1 billion in revenues in fiscal 2023. Learn more at www.kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Job Title: Supplier Quality Engineer

Location: Remote

Job Summary:
 

Supplier Quality Engineer will ensure the quality and reliability of components, materials and services provided by Kennametal (KMT) Suppliers. Collaboration with Sourcing, Engineering, Operations and Quality on supplier capabilities, quality standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Expertise in maintaining and enhancing our product quality standards while fostering strong partnerships with KMT suppliers.

 Key Job Responsibilities:

• Leads audits to assess current and potential supplier’s quality management system, manufacturing processes and capabilities as well as strengths, weaknesses, and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Sourcing, Engineering and Plant Operations teams to select suppliers that meet our quality, cost, and delivery.
• Develop and implement quality standards, specifications, and requirements for purchased components, materials, and services.
• Define and communicate clear quality expectations to suppliers through quality agreements and PPAP requests.
• Work closely with suppliers to resolve quality issues, improve processes, and enhance product quality.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement with suppliers and report to KMT management.
• Provide training, guidance, and support to suppliers in implementing corrective and preventative actions to address quality issues.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on quality requirements and expectations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant quality standards, regulations, and industry requirements, such as ISO 9001, USCTI Standard, etc.
• Spend approximately 25-50% of time traveling to suppliers and/or KMT facilities (domestic and international).

Education, Work Experience, Skills, Certificates

• Educational minimum – bachelor’s degree in related discipline
• Experience minimum – At least 5 years of experience in supplier quality engineering or a related role in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of quality management principles, methodologies, and tools such as statistical process control (SPC), failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), and root cause analysis.
• Experience in developing part certification processes (PPAP) and vendor quality measures.
• Experience conduction supplier audits, assessment, and performance evaluations.
• Experience working in an industrial, automotive, or aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Certification in quality management is a plus (ASQ QE for example).
• Operate with a team-oriented culture that reflects Kennametal’s mission, vision, and values.
• Adapt to a flexible work schedule, accommodating international meetings and calls in differing time zones as required.
• Certification in quality engineering is a plus (ASQ QE).
• Certification in quality management system is a plus (ISO 9001).
   

Equal Opportunity Employer