What does supplier quality engineer do?

Supplier quality engineers or managers (SQE/SQM)  are in a powerful position to drive supplier quality to the highest level possible and this authority is even higher than the organization internal quality department. Remember the customer is always right. They should learn on how to manage the whole supplier organization to deliver a consistent defect-free product with the support from their organization such as procurement leaders. 

Supplier or manufacturer will perceived supplier quality engineer job is to make life difficult for them,  others will think supplier quality engineer always enjoy life at supplier site.  Refer to the below  video which will walk you through  exactly what a supplier quality engineer do,  and what are the skill set required.   

Why supplier quality management is important to prevent disruption of supply chain in 2021?

In today world, there is no one entity that is able to transform raw materials from natural resources completely too finished goods for the mass consumer market or end users.  The transformation of raw material to semi-finished goods and finally finished goods took place in several manufacturing facilities which form a supply chain.   Material supply chain links upstream raw material suppliers to downstream consumer market through multitier supplier. 

For example, smartphone manufacturer will assemble parts from memory card modules, PCBA, battery pack, mechanical part assembly, frame which are procure from various tier one suppliers.  Tier one suppliers in turn will either have capability to assemble lower level semi-finished goods to a module assembly or fabricate parts from semi processed raw materials.  An example would a battery module manufacturer will procure battery cells from supplier and assembled into battery module or they would also have tier 2 capability to produce their own battery cells. 

Most of the worlds manufacturing hubs are concentrated in Asia mainly China  and majority of the consumer are outside of Asia such as US.  This means we will have a long chain from manufacturing of the parts to the consumer. 

According to a Bloomberg article by Anjani Trivedi the world is marred by disruption in supply  which impact the global market.   This is cause by lack of trust along supply chain and the consumer will feel the pain of price increase with limited supply.   This happen due to the lack of trust.  Therefore the next question would be how to cultivate trust a long the supply chain.  Most of the company who are suffering from lacking of supplier trust are due no or poor supplier quality management program. 

A good supplier quality management program must in place to gain trust and resulted in  

• Supplier is able to deliver consistent good quality part
• On time delivery
• At best price for both parties 

1.The criteria for a good supplier quality management are

• Systematic approach in Essential areas such as supplier qualification, product qualification etc
• Well supplier quality management professional to execute the program

To learn about systematic approach in supplier quality management do refer to  this link or click on the photo below

https://bit.ly/Udemy7ESQM