Senior Supplier Development Engineer-CAN-BC-Vancouver
At Westport Fuel Systems, we are driving innovation to power a cleaner tomorrow. We are inventors, engineers, manufacturers and suppliers of advanced clean fuel systems and components that can change the way the world moves. Our products and technologies deliver performance, fuel efficiency and environmental benefits to address the challenges of global climate change and urban air quality. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, we serve our customers in more than 70 countries with leading global transportation brands.
Powerful trends in greenhouse gas ("GHG") emission reduction regulations have created a compelling opportunity for gaseous-fuel product solutions powered by natural gas, propane, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen. With our strategic partners, we are turning our business plan into reality. We share a common objective: to create clean transportation solutions that meet existing and future emissions regulations and targets for GHG reduction.
Overview
The Senior Supplier Development Engineer drives the development and improvement of suppliers across our entire supply chain. This encompasses tasks such as conducting design reviews, assessing feasibility, strategically sourcing prototypes for new technologies, managing the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process for new part and product launches, developing new suppliers, implementing quality control processes, resolving supplier quality issues, managing supplier relationships, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Essentially, the Senior SDE will play a pivotal role in guaranteeing the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain by overseeing and enhancing the performance of suppliers.
Position Responsibilities - Function as primary interface between Purchasing, Engineering/Design and suppliers to alleviate discrepancies in product specifications and support the evaluation of opportunities to achieve the best technical and efficient cost-effective solutions
- Drive and monitor APQP process with suppliers and report trends in line with AIAG protocols
- Interact with suppliers and people from other global departments (Purchasing, Engineering, Customer Quality, Manufacturing, Project Management, etc.) to adapt their priorities and programs to those of the position holder
- Work with suppliers to develop appropriate project schedules to achieve WFS milestone objectives and Quality Targets
- Track project timing and ensure deliverables are on time
- Responsible for the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) from suppliers
- Conduct an analysis to determine if it is feasible that the supplier's manufacturing processes are capable of consistently producing product that meets all of the engineering and capacity requirements specified by WFS
- Independently manage assigned suppliers to avoid further escalations and quality problems through regular onsite visits, WFS Supplier Process Audits, and problem-solving support
- Deliver technical product guidance by evaluating manufacturing process risks and potential quality defect opportunities to reduce the cost of quality
- Work with Engineering team to define process parameters and criteria to ensure supplier process capability is effective to meet product and process requirements
- Interact with supplier and WFS multidisciplinary team to identify Special Characteristics and Critical-To-Quality attributes by collaborating in new product development activities: feasibility analysis, DFM/A, cost optimization, inspection strategy, and reliability
- Provide internal stakeholders with assistance to optimize Design for Manufacturing
- Actively identify new technologies/process for new product design and/or cost reductions, establish and provide new and innovative solutions for future business growth
- Incorporate risk management and safety features into process designs and methods
- Participate in the supplier sourcing process giving input on supplier production, quality, and technology capabilities
- Identify and evaluate internal and external risks to all manufacturing processes and equipment essential to maintain production output and to ensure that customer requirements are met
- Coordinate and complete all tasks and documentation required for externally supplied component and/or module qualifications (First Article Inspections, Production Part Approval Process)
- Review and approval of supplier PFMEA, Control Plan, Work Instructions, Standard Operation Procedures
- Assist suppliers in the development of sampling plans and implement Statistical Process Controls (SPC)
- Provide leadership during investigations of major problems and or special projects focusing on developing working relationships with suppliers and the supply chain with regard to product development and procurement of parts
- Assist suppliers in the qualification and implementation of product and/or process changes
- Provide leadership for supplier management, which includes maintaining supplier corrective actions, supplier evaluation, layered process audit, supplier certification, traceability, non-conforming material review and supporting incoming material inspection
- Investigate supplier quality failures and lead cross-functional teams to execute failure analysis, determine root causes, and drive systematic corrective actions
- Define contingency plans according to risk and impact to the customer
- Ensure the development of error proofing and pursue opportunities for continual improvement
- Monitor and manage supplier quality performance and report quality metrics back to management
- Coordinate, influence or lead suppliers toward product or process improvement.
- Tracks first pass yield metrics in pre-production and ramp-up production
- Post-Launch activities for support of design changes and in resolution of quality issues which impact customer satisfaction
- Support management in developing and improving the Integrated Management System
Health and Safety Responsibilities - Promote Westport's H&S culture following all Environmental, and H&S procedures and understanding your obligations and responsibilities
- Report unsafe conditions, behaviors and all accidents
- Co-operate with JHSC (Joint Health & Safety Committee) and Safety representative
Position Requirements
Key Requirements: - Mechanical Engineering or similar degree, but requisite experience will be considered
- A minimum of 6 years in a Supplier Development/ Quality role
- 10+ years Manufacturing experience
- Strong manufacturing process and operations knowledge. Expertise in three or more discrete manufacturing operations (CNC machining, precision grinding, polishing, super finishing, electrical discharge machining, electro-chemical machining, honing, laser cutting, heat treatment)
- Experience in design feedback activity for manufacturability or cost-reduction initiatives
- Experience with manufacturing process design, including material and equipment selection and cost analysis
- Experience in tooling projects, especially in heavy-duty, automotive, or mobile equipment contexts with a focus on gaseous seals, fuel injection systems, regulators, manifolds, pipes, pumps, seals, valves, and mechanical components
- Working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 GD&T application and IMDS
- Strong knowledge of New Product Development, APQP, and PPAP methodologies
- Strong knowledge of AIAG Workbooks: MSA, FMEA, SPC and 8D Methods
- Advanced computer skills with Microsoft Office, Minitab, SPSS
- Experience with statistical problem solving (Red X, DFSS, DOE, DMAIC)
- Familiar with conducting process capability study and capacity assessment
Key Personal Traits: - Handling conflicts, interpersonal & multi-cultural as well as good soft skills (communication, negotiation & influencing), networker, capable of holistic view, result, and action oriented, resilient
- Self-starter, seeks opportunities to improve processes, part quality, and overall efficiency
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and multitask
- Works well in a team environment
- Fluency in English is mandatory. Other languages are a plus
- Be able to travel domestically and internationally for supplier visits and WFS manufacturing sites. In some cases, with a short notice
Added Bonus if you have: - Automotive manufacturing experience, working directly for an Automotive OEM or Automotive Supplier
- Having global experience with multinational suppliers
- ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 Auditor Certification
- Audit experience; internal and/or external Auditor
- Lean Six Sigma Certification (Black Belt)
- Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
- Experience / Certification in VDA 6.3 audit is an asset
- Knowledgeable of VDA - Product Creation - Maturity Level Assurance for New Parts
- Knowledgeable of VDA - Robust Production Process
- Experience leveraging Design and Process FMEA outputs to develop robust systems
- Familiar with standard analysis tools of inferential statistics Experience with implementing testing protocols using pressure/temperature sensors, electrical harnesses, controls
- Experience with development of pressure test equipment
- Experience with coating and plating of metal and inspection methods
- Experience with cleanliness process (VDA 19 is preferred)
- Working experience in Metrology lab: Inspection Method and Equipment
Application Procedure
To apply for this opportunity, please submit your application to our Corporate Recruitment team in confidence by clicking the "Apply Now" link below. While we thank you in advance for your interest and application, we will only be responding to shortlisted candidates.
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