Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer I

A Day in the Life

The Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer I is responsible for conducting and overseeing supplier audits, qualifying new suppliers, and monitoring the performance of current suppliers. An experienced team member providing quality guidance and support for supplier management activities such as qualifications, change notifications, audits, evaluations and performance to assure conformance to established standards, specifications and risk reduction. Acts as an instrumental member of the team to optimize and continuously improve supplier operations to meet department, business unit and company objectives. Provides suggestions, guidance and feedback to suppliers to ensure quality materials and components are delivered for use in Tandem's product operations.

• Manage, lead and/or oversee supplier audits to meet company, quality, and regulatory requirements, including country-specific requirements for the suppliers; responsibilities extend to audits performed by 3rd party contractors.
• Generate, approve, review and monitor Supplier CAPA plans and activities to investigation and closure, including objective evidence of verification of effectiveness.
• Partner with Quality, process owners, legal and suppliers to create and revise Quality Agreements, as needed.
• Qualify, manage, and monitor supplier performance per Tandem supplier management approved processes.
• Identify gaps in current processes to develop, define, establish, and document new processes, as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, communicate & implement strategies for continuous improvement and development of existing or new suppliers and contract manufacturer.
• Ability to build relationships and work with suppliers or contract manufacturer to establish and maintain controlled consistent manufacturing processes and methods suitable to the nature of the components or assembly parts they supply.
• Independently leads and completes supplier activities such as supplier evaluations, change notifications, and validations.
• Facilitates quality oversite of Tandem's 3rd party contract manufacturers.
• Ability to provide guidance to suppliers or contract manufacturer for quality engineering disciplines and statistics such as but not limited to PFMECA, DMAIC, Lean, Problem-Solving tools, capability analysis, DOE, IQ/OQ/PQ validations.
• Responsible for reporting quality trends and information to management on the performance of suppliers or contract manufacturers.
• Follows up with suppliers for component related non-conformances identified during Tandem's incoming inspection, in-process inspection, final test, quality complaints, and as applicable product returns.

When & Where You'll Work

Hybrid: This role will be a mix of in-office work at our Barnes Canyon facility in San Diego, CA and remote work. This position is expected to be in office 2 days per week but may vary depending on business demands.

What You'll Need

• Direct experience with suppliers and contract manufacturers who produce components or assembly parts in a regulatory environment.
• Proficient knowledge of Quality Engineering policies, principles and best practices including quality standards: ISO 13485, ISO 14971, ISO 9001 and other appropriate industry standards.
• Competent in QMS Audit and Process Audit practices with ability to readily recognize non-conformances.
• Must be able to explain audit results and influence other's understandings of audit observations in a culturally sensitive, tactful, and professional manner.
• Strong knowledge and application of principles outlined in Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP).
• Strong knowledge of and demonstrated experience using statistical techniques: sampling theory, probability, capability, and SPC.
• Strong knowledge of and demonstrated experience using problem solving methodologies: 5-why analysis, fault tree analysis, cause and effect diagram etc.
• Ability to work independently to identify potential quality issues and implement solutions.
• Understanding of mechanical drawings & specifications including geometric dimensioning and tolerances (GD&T).
• Able to assert own ideas and persuade others through effectively consolidating, evaluating, and presenting relevant information.

Extra Awesome

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably Electro-Mechanical Engineering or the equivalent education and applicable work experience.
• ISO lead auditor, Certified Quality Engineer, or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 5 years' related experience in Supplier Quality or related engineering positions.
• Familiarity in the production of PCB, PCBA, electro-mechanical assemblies and plastic molding is highly desirable.
• Medical device manufacturing or FDA-regulated industry experience, highly preferred.
• Supplier or lead quality auditing experience in a regulated company, highly preferred.
• Experience in managing 3rd party contract manufacturers is a plus.