What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supplier Quality Engineer position at Cobalt Boats?
Position Summary
The Plant Supplier Quality Engineer / Lead is responsible for ensuring incoming supplier materials and components meet Malibu Boats’ quality, performance, and reliability standards to support high-performance marine manufacturing operations. This role partners closely with purchasing, operations, engineering, and key suppliers to drive defect prevention, supplier development, and continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.
This leader will play a critical role in maintaining production flow, product integrity (cosmetic, functional, structural), and customer satisfaction by proactively managing supplier quality risks in a fast-paced, built-to-order boat manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier Quality Management
Qualifications
Required
Join a team committed to craftsmanship, innovation, and delivering industry-leading performance on the water. This role directly impacts the quality and reputation of premium recreational boats by ensuring every component meets the highest standards.
The Plant Supplier Quality Engineer / Lead is responsible for ensuring incoming supplier materials and components meet Malibu Boats’ quality, performance, and reliability standards to support high-performance marine manufacturing operations. This role partners closely with purchasing, operations, engineering, and key suppliers to drive defect prevention, supplier development, and continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.
This leader will play a critical role in maintaining production flow, product integrity (cosmetic, functional, structural), and customer satisfaction by proactively managing supplier quality risks in a fast-paced, built-to-order boat manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier Quality Management
- Serve as the primary quality interface between MBI plant location and production suppliers.
- Maintain supplier quality performance metrics (PPM, on-time delivery, corrective actions, warranty impact) via scorecard.
- Lead supplier selection support activities (engaged in product development prior to sourcing), including:
- Supplier APQP participation
- Risk assessments (PFMEA, control plans)
- PPAP approvals for new parts and changes
- Establish and maintain incoming inspection standards.
- Drive containment activities to minimize line disruptions due to supplier defects.
- Collaborate with production teams to resolve quality issues.
- Lead and manage supplier corrective actions using structured methods (8D, DMAIC, A3).
- Perform root cause analysis on supplier-related defects affecting production or field performance.
- Track and verify effectiveness of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Partner with suppliers to implement lean manufacturing and process capability improvements.
- Identify Top 5 suppliers (using scorecard data) needing process/product development to improve part quality – develop a plan and achieve results.
- Conduct supplier audits (process, system, and layered process audits).
- Drive supplier capability improvements aligned to Malibu’s expectations for:
- High-end finish quality
- Durability in marine environments
- Consistency in custom configurations
- Develop strategic supplier relationships focused on long-term quality performance and innovation.
- Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to ensure supplier quality readiness for new boat models.
- Ensure early supplier involvement for:
- Design for manufacturability (DFM)
- Material validation (UV resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.)
- Prototype and pilot build support.
- Analyze supplier-related quality trends impacting:
- Production efficiency
- Scrap/rework costs.
- Warranty/field failures
- Provide insights and action recommendations to leadership.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field
- 8 years of experience in supplier quality or manufacturing quality
- Experience with:
- APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans
- Root cause analysis tools (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone)
- Supplier audits and development
- Solid/strong understanding of a variety of manufacturing processes (i.e. - composites, assembly, electrical, or metal fabrication preferred)
- Experience in marine, automotive, RV, or durable goods manufacturing
- Familiarity with cosmetic quality standards and customer-driven customization environments
- Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt)
- ASQ Certified Supplier Quality Engineer (CSQE)
- Strong communicator – self-directed – results focused – lean mindset – team “first.”
- Strong cross-functional leadership (quality, operations, supply chain)
- Ability to balance production urgency with disciplined quality processes.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
- Supplier relationship management and influence
- High diligence, especially in fit, finishing, and aesthetic quality
- Manufacturing plant environment with frequent supplier interaction
- Occasional travel (10–25%) to supplier sites
- Fast-paced, direct role supporting a premium product with high customer expectations.
- Must successfully be focused on relationship building and teamwork.
- Reduction in supplier PPM and plant disruptions
- Improved supplier responsiveness and corrective action effectiveness
- Improved supplier scorecard metrics – Top 5 plus overall
- Reduced cost of poor quality (COPQ)
- Successful launch quality from suppliers for new/modified boat models and components
- Warranty reduction tied to supplier defects
Join a team committed to craftsmanship, innovation, and delivering industry-leading performance on the water. This role directly impacts the quality and reputation of premium recreational boats by ensuring every component meets the highest standards.