The posting
Job Description
We are looking for a talented Reactive Supplier Quality Engineer to join our team specializing in Quality for our Corporate organization in Bloomfield, CT.
In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders to improve product quality, drive collaboration, and achieve business objectives.
- Support supplier development efforts by applying APQP methodologies, AIAG quality tools, and Cummins-specific processes to enhance manufacturing performance and quality outcomes.
- Participate in supplier audits to assess compliance, identify improvement opportunities, and strengthen supplier quality systems while developing auditing expertise.
- Contribute to the resolution of supplier quality issues by supporting root cause analysis, corrective action development, and validation of long-term solutions.
- Drive continuous improvement across the supply base through participation in Lean, Six Sigma, and process improvement initiatives that reduce defects and increase efficiency.
- Help improve supplier quality performance by analyzing data, tracking trends, and supporting quality planning activities for assigned products or supplier segments.
- Collaborate with Purchasing, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to proactively address quality risks and ensure suppliers meet customer and operational requirements.
- Deliver measurable improvements in supplier performance, product quality, and process reliability while building expertise in quality management and supplier excellence.
Responsibilities
To be successful in this role you will need the following:
Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Customer focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
Auditing - Applying auditing skills and techniques and Quality Management Systems knowledge to effectively appraise a manufacturing process for quality and safety risks and non-conformances.
Interpreting Technical Requirements - Applying knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing principles and Engineering Standards to correctly interpret the technical requirements of an engineering drawing; Applying knowledge to improve a product’s design for manufacturability and measurability.
Manufacturing Process Design - Applying knowledge of manufacturing technology (methods, techniques, tools, equipment, etc) to design a Zero Defect manufacturing process that can consistently meet technical and customer requirements.
Manufacturing Process Validation - Applying core Automotive tools (i.e. DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, SPC, MSA, Source Release and PPAP) to validate that a manufacturing process can consistently meet technical and customer requirements.
Measurement Process Design - Applying knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing principles and knowledge of measurement technology (standards, techniques, equipment, etc) to design a measurement system that can consistently meet industry and customer requirements.
Problem Solving - Solves problems and may mentor others on effective problem solving by using a systematic analysis process by leveraging industry standard methodologies to create problem traceability and protect the customer; determines the assignable cause; implements robust, data-based solutions; identifies the systemic root causes and ensures actions to prevent problem reoccurrence are implemented.
Quality Influence - Ability to recognize stakeholders, create a forum to professionally extract stakeholder perspectives, drive and engage in constructive conflict, and to influence outcomes in order to ensure Cummins makes a balanced decision inclusive of Quality priorities.
Quality Standards - Applying knowledge of quality standards, such as ISO9001:2015 and IATF16949, to develop procedures, processes, and external suppliers in a manner that aligns with regulatory requirements.
Statistical Foundations - Applies statistical tools and technique to influence decision making; leverages understanding of data collection methods, key statistics, graphical and analytical methods to describe process performance, gain insights and drive improvement action
Supplier Performance Improvement - Improving supplier performance by developing and executing an effective quality improvement strategy that consists of a project team, glidepath, reduction of manufacturing issues and improvement of systemic deficiencies.
Supplier Quality Project Planning and Execution - Applying Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) skills to develop and execute a quality plan that enables external suppliers to meet customer expectations; Requires facilitating communication and collaboration across cross-functional activities, when a program, initiative, or project concerns external suppliers.
Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
Supplier Product Reliability - Ability to evaluate the supplier's product design, supplier's manufacturing process design and product validation process to ensure the supplier is capable to meet reliability expectations.
Education, Licenses, Certifications: College, university, or equivalent degree in Engineering or a related technical or scientific subject required This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
Experience: Minimal level of relevant work experience required.
Qualifications
The Reactive Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for leading all reactive supplier quality activities in support of the Cummins Valvetrain manufacturing facility. This role serves as the primary point of contact for supplier-related quality issues, ensuring rapid containment, effective corrective actions, and protection of production operations from non-conforming material.
This role will work closely with suppliers, manufacturing, operations, purchasing, and third-party inspection providers to drive issue resolution while minimizing disruption to assembly line operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide reactive supplier quality support for the Cummins Valvetrain facility.
- Lead containment activities, quality holds, material disposition, and supplier escalations to protect customers and maintain production continuity.
- Prevent non-conforming material from impacting assembly operations through effective containment, inspection, and sorting activities.
- Coordinate third-party sorting and inspection providers to screen incoming, on-hand, and in-process inventory.
- Drive supplier response to quality concerns and ensure timely corrective actions.
- Own supplier quality activities through containment and escalation (Steps 1-3) and partner with the Proactive SQE on supplier recovery and improvement activities (Steps 4-6).
- Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, Materials, and Operations to resolve supplier quality issues and minimize business impact.
- Monitor supplier performance, drive issue resolution, and strengthen process controls.
- Facilitate communication between suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure timely resolution and business continuity.
- Bachelor's degree is preferred.
Minimum Qualifications:
3+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Quality Engineering.
About Us
Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.
