Description
supplier testing
quality reporting
vendor audits
process controls
ppap management
supplier partnerships
The role assesses supplier quality to ensure products are defect‑free and meet manufacturing specifications and legal standards. Responsibilities include testing incoming supplies, generating quality reports, researching and auditing vendors, and supporting suppliers to improve performance through process controls and quality assurance plans.
- Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues; Developing supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanism.
- Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
- Researching the potential vendors, assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
- Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.
- Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
- Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
- Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.
- Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.
- Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.
- Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.
- Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.
- Defines the critical workflow for executing key processes.
- Identifies process problems that limit performance.
- Implements methods for improving and establishing controls for critical processes.
- Surfaces systemic problems to be addressed at the organizational level.
- Confronts root causes of problems wherever they exist.
- Eliminates unnecessary work and all non value-added activities.
- Uses objective quality criteria and data to drive decisions.
- Documents learnings regarding quality outcomes so that the data can be used for improvement.
- Surfaces quality problems whose root causes fall outside the group's responsibility.
- Develops testing and validation procedures to test the quality of manufactured parts/products so that it meets desired customer standards.
- Identifies and resolves key issues with PPAP implementation and submissions.
- Monitors the execution of PPAP steps within a facility and ensures their compliance with industry standards and internal guidelines.
- Oversees PPAP implementation; establishes a high trust relationship between stakeholders.
- Reviews the complex documentation and elements required during the PPAP submission process.
- Trains others on the execution of PPAP to get the required approvals and teaches them about the different PPAP submission levels.
- Contributes to the development and implementation of specific manufacturing procedures.
- Investigates the need to refer potential exceptions upward for review and approval.
- Explains the rationale for procedures and standards in own area of responsibility.
- Participates in the implementation of manufacturing standards and procedures to one's own function.
- Provides feedback for improvement of procedures.
- Facilitates supplier partnering arrangements that share risk and reward.
- Monitors supplier performance; works to resolve discrepancies between performance and agreements.
- Develops quality standards and controls for suppliers.
- Builds and maintains partnerships with multiple and/or large suppliers.
- Evaluates issues and terminates supplier relationships as appropriate; works with legal departments.
- Ensures the fulfillment of report and record-keeping requirements.
- Documents and pursues results of reference calls or other sources for a specific supplier.
- Participates in selecting and certifying a specific supplier and/or product.
- Assists with the steps and procedures for supplier certification.
- Researches several types of sources of information for a supplier's or a product's reputation.
- Assesses a product or service using pre-defined evaluation criteria.
Requirements
degree
ppap
process improvement
problem solving
communication
supplier management
A degree or equivalent experience is desired. Success in this position relies on effective communication, problem‑solving, process‑improvement, and quality‑orientation skills, as well as knowledge of PPAP, manufacturing standards, and supplier management.
- Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
- Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
- Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.
Benefits
Relocation is available. This position is posted from January 13 to January 20, 2026. Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment, and sustainability, offering professional growth, leadership programs, and a diverse, supportive culture.
Training + Development
Information not given or found
