Regional Supplier Quality Engineer

AESC is looking to add a Regional Supplier Quality Engineer to our team in Smyrna, TN.

• Full-Time
• Hybrid

AESC is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance batteries for zero-emission electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Founded in Japan in 2007 and headquartered in Yokohama, AESC has been building manufacturing capabilities around the world in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Japan and China to serve key markets and leading customers locally for over 14 years. Today, AESC has become the partner of choice for the world's leading OEMs and energy storage providers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its advanced technology powers over one million electric vehicles and provides more than 15GWh of installed capacity for battery energy systems in over 60 countries.

As a Regional Supplier Quality Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing and standardizing supplier quality practices across the region and globally. You will work closely with suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards such as IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3, supporting continuous improvement initiatives and driving performance improvements. This role will also focus on leading audits, conducting PPAP reviews, and managing corrective actions, contributing to the overall quality, cost, and delivery goals of the company. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Purchasing, Production, and Quality Assurance, to ensure suppliers meet the stringent requirements of our EV and ESS battery manufacturing processes.

• Standardization and Growth: Help to standardize and grow both the regional and global supplier quality organizations, aligning with the company's quality goals and objectives.
• PPAP Review: Review PPAP submissions from suppliers in conjunction with cross-functional teams to ensure adherence to product quality requirements.
• Supplier Performance Monitoring: Prepare and submit supplier scorecards, and coordinate action plans for underperforming suppliers, driving continuous improvement.
• Corrective Actions: Provide corrective actions (CA) related to supplier 8Ds and Parts Inspection Requests (PIRs), ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Global Supplier Quality Manual Development: Contribute to the development and standardization of a global Supplier Quality Manual, ensuring consistency across regions.
• Audits and Assessments: Lead process/product/QMS audits, capacity analysis, and capability assessments on suppliers, ensuring alignment with industry standards.
• Supplier Collaboration: Work closely with suppliers to improve performance, controls, and compliance with IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 standards, offering technical advice to drive improvements.
• Problem Resolution: Address supplier quality concerns, collaborate with operations to investigate and resolve chronic or severe quality issues, and implement actions to prevent reoccurrence.
• Process Improvement: Identify and lead potential improvements on department processes, systems, and tracking mechanisms to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Maintain a strong working relationship with Purchasing, Production, and Engineering teams to prepare suppliers for upcoming production needs.
• Documentation and Reporting: Ensure that all activities are properly documented and reported in accordance with company standards and quality requirements.
• Complete other duties as assigned

Welcome to AESC, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission.

We offer:

• Comprehensive compensation packages including a competitive salary and a rewarding bonus program.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
• Highly automated, clean, safe, and temperature-controlled production environment
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K with company match
• Life Insurance (Company paid and additional voluntary life available)
• Paid Vacation and 14 Paid Holidays
• Short term and long-term disability coverage (Company Paid)
• Tuition reimbursement #LI-IC

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or related field) from an accredited institution.
• Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience in supplier quality, quality engineering, or a related field, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong background in chemical, metallurgical, or plastic molding production processes.
• APQP and PPAP Expertise: Demonstrated experience with APQP processes and reviewing/approving PPAPs.
• Quality Standards: Extensive knowledge of IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 standards, with experience conducting audits and assessments.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Proficient in root cause analysis, problem-solving techniques, and process control management to resolve quality and throughput issues.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, with strong interpersonal, report writing, and presentation skills. Ability to motivate and guide suppliers toward continuous improvement.
• Certifications: IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, or ASQ Certified Quality Auditor certifications preferred.
• Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work across multiple departments, fostering positive relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Education and Experience
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or related field) from an accredited institution.
• Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience in supplier quality, quality engineering, or a related field, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Travel Requirements: This role may require domestic and international travel to supplier locations, with up to 30% travel for supplier audits and on-site inspections.
• Understands and follows all standards of IATF16949 and VDA 6.3 quality standards. (Training and awareness will be provided for those who are not familiar with these standards)
• Understands and follows all standards of ISO14001 environmental standards. (Training and awareness will be provided for those who are not familiar with these standards)

• Advanced Certifications: Additional certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related quality/process improvement disciplines.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the specific challenges of the automotive, battery manufacturing, or similar high-volume production environments.
• Cross-Cultural Experience: Experience working in a global environment, collaborating with international suppliers and cross-functional teams.

Occasional domestic and international travel required.

At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.

Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.

Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of drug screen and background check. AESC US LLC is a drug-free workplace. #LI-IC1