Reactive Supplier Quality Engineer

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.

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.