Incoming Supplier Quality Engineering Specialist, Blueoval Battery Park Michigan

Ford Ford · Auto · Marshall, MI +1 · Manufacturing

Supplier Quality Engineer at Ford's new battery park facility, responsible for ensuring incoming components meet specifications, managing supplier issues, driving corrective actions (8D), and supporting launch activities. Requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering and 3-5 years of experience in supplier quality or manufacturing quality.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead investigations into supplier parts impacting production areas; execute immediate containment of suspect material.
  2. Establish Permanent Corrective Actions (PCAs) and strictly track implementation timing.
  3. Lead supplier teams through the 8D process, ensuring root cause identification and closure to prevent recurrence.
  4. Manage and provide oversight for all on-site or third-party supplier sorting activities.
  5. Initiate and manage supplier chargebacks (NORs) when applicable for non-conforming material and labor.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial preferred)
  • 3–5 years of experience in Supplier Quality or Manufacturing Quality
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and Engineering Specifications (ES)
  • Knowledge of ISO/IATF 16949 standards and Fresh Eyes audit protocols
  • Ability to work in a high-pressure production environment requiring immediate decision-making
  • Strong negotiation skills for managing supplier chargebacks and accountability
  • Ability to lead cross-functional teams (Production, MP&L, PD, and Suppliers) to achieve zero-defect targets

Nice to have

  • Master's degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial preferred)
  • Demonstrated experience with battery technologies, specifically battery cells (Li-ion, LiFePO4, etc.), modules, and full battery pack assembly processes
  • Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and Control Plans
  • Proven ability to lead 8D Root Cause Analysis and manage complex containment scenarios
  • Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (Automotive or Battery experience highly preferred)
  • Familiarity with Tracklite, TDM, and Ford Quality reporting systems
  • Ability to achieve Black Belt certification and execute data-driven projects
  • Six Sigma Black Belt certification, or ASQ certification (CQE)
  • Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., Minitab, JMP)

What the JD emphasized

  • stringent Ford Engineering Specifications (ES)
  • supplier-related production disruptions
  • robust 8D closure
  • First Time Through (FTT)
  • customer quality
  • supplier parts impacting production areas
  • 8D process
  • supplier chargebacks
  • supplier readiness
  • PPAP compliance
  • ISO 9001/IATF 16949
  • design or system-level issues
  • timing, budget, and FTT capability targets
  • cost reduction or quality improvement
  • Product Review Team (PRT)
  • Plant Quality Review (PQR)
  • supplier quality investigations
  • process/standard adherence
  • engineering drawings
  • GD&T
  • Engineering Specifications (ES)
  • high-volume manufacturing environment
  • Automotive or Battery experience highly preferred
  • ISO/IATF 16949 standards
  • Fresh Eyes audit protocols
  • high-pressure production environment
  • immediate decision-making
  • supplier chargebacks and accountability
  • zero-defect targets