Supplier Quality Engineer

ABOUT THE COMPANY: For more than 70 years, JOST has been shaping the future of transportation with innovation, safety, and customer focus at its core. Founded in 1952 in Germany with the development of the first cast-steel fifth wheel, JOST has grown into a global leader supplying the commercial vehicle and agricultural industries with trusted, high-quality solutions.

With its portfolio of leading brands — JOST, ROCKINGER, TRIDEC, Quicke, and Hyva — the company today is a Tier 1 supplier recognized worldwide for excellence in fifth wheels, landing gear, towing hitches, steering systems, front loaders, and hydraulic solutions. The 2025 acquisition of Hyva marked a significant milestone, expanding JOST’s reach into hydraulic cylinders, tippers, components for transport and waste handling, and strengthening its position across both On-Highway and Off-Highway applications.

Headquartered in Germany with operations on five continents, JOST continues to drive industry standards through engineering expertise, a commitment to quality, and strong partnerships with OEMs and fleets around the world.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for ensuring that all purchased components and materials meet the company’s quality standards and regulatory requirements. This role works closely with suppliers, internal teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to drive continuous improvement in supplier performance, reduce defects, and maintain compliance with industry standards.

This position reports to the Quality, Customer & Product Support Manager. It is solely accountable for the fulfillment of all assigned duties and has authority delegated commensurate with assigned responsibilities.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: Include, but are not limited to:

Supplier Quality Management

• Develop and implement supplier quality assurance processes.
• Conduct supplier audits and assessments to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics (PPM, on-time delivery, corrective actions).
• Responsible for processing supplier PPAP submissions

Issue Resolution

• Investigate and resolve supplier-related quality issues using root cause analysis and corrective action plans.
• Manage non-conformance reports and coordinate containment actions.

Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with suppliers to implement process improvements and reduce variability.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) by validating supplier capabilities and quality plans.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records of supplier quality activities, audits, and certifications.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, industry regulations, and customer requirements.

Cross-Functional Support

• Work with engineering, purchasing, and production teams to align supplier quality objectives.
• Participate in design reviews and provide input on manufacturability and quality risks.

Any additional duties that have not been specifically stated, but which may be assigned and those that are logically and properly inherent to this position.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of quality tools (FMEA, PPAP, SPC, 8D, Root Cause Analysis).
• 3 years in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or related role.
• Experience with ISO 9001, IATF16949, or similar quality standards.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed.
• Good computer and MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and QlikView skills.
• Training in Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance (GD&T).
• Must be able to read complex CAD drawings.
• Training in Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• CMM Training (FARO).
• Lead Auditor Qualifications (ISO9001:2015).
• ASQ CQE certification or equivalent experience.
• Requires the use of judgment to plan and perform diversified work where standard or recognized operation methods are available, and the making of general decisions within prescribed limitations as to tolerances, operations, etc.
• Must be self-motivated with little to no supervision required.
• Ability to gain knowledge of company products. Comply with quality, environmental, safety and JOST company policies and procedures.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing duties of this job, the employee will regularly sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, twist and occasionally will be required to stoop, kneel, lift or move objects of 50 pounds or less with or without assistance.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions.

JOST International participates in E-Verify and is an Equal Opportunity Employer