Supplier Development and Quality Engineer

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

Supplier Development and Quality Engineer

Purpose of the role

Ensure supplier product and process quality for machining, welding in line with VAT specifications, standards and customer requirements.

Drive supplier qualification, industrialization, ramp up, risk mitigation and recovery actions to support VAT's growth strategy and stable material availability.

KPI's:

Supplier quality performance for assigned suppliers, including QPPM target achievement

Timely supplier and process qualification for relocations and second sources

Effective closure of complaints, audits, corrective actions and escalation recovery activities

Responsibilities: 

Own supplier qualification and development for machining and welding suppliers globally

Assess supplier capability, process maturity, production capacity and readiness for serial production

Drive supplier development, industrialization and ramp up activities with clear action ownership

Support relocations, second source implementation and qualification projects

Train suppliers in VAT requirements, standards, technologies and process expectations

Lead supplier complaints, root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D methodology

Review and approve ISIR, PPAP and process qualification documentation

Monitor supplier KPIs, process capability and risk trends; define improvement actions with suppliers and procurement

Plan and perform system and process audits for machining, welding and manufacturing controls

Audit CNC turning, milling, grinding, multi axis machining, TIG, orbital, laser and vacuum soldering processes

Drive closure and effectiveness verification of audit findings

Support supplier related Change Requests, customer escalations and shortage prevention with technical risk assessments

Lead supplier recovery actions, including capability assessments, material risk assessments and top management escalation support

Define and drive actions to secure material availability in close alignment with Engineering, Operations and Strategic Sourcing

Qualifications: 

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or similar

5 to 10+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering or supplier development

Strong quality management, engineering or manufacturing background in machining and welding

Experience in supplier audits, process qualification, ramp up and corrective action management

Practical experience with supplier relocations, second sources or supplier recovery situations

Good understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 3834 and semiconductor customer requirements

Ability to work in international matrix organizations with regular supplier travel

Strong communication, negotiation, project management and stakeholder management skills

High level of resilience, ownership and flexibility

CNC machining technologies including turning, milling, grinding and multi axis machining

Welding technologies including TIG, orbital, laser and vacuum soldering

Technical drawing interpretation, GD&T and specification review

ISIR, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, Control Plans and process validation

Root cause analysis, 8D, 5 Why and corrective action effectiveness verification

Process validation and capability analysis including Cp, Cpk and KPI monitoring

Supplier auditing, process assessments and risk based supplier development

Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 3834 and manufacturing process control

Project management, stakeholder management and escalation handling

Fluent German and English skills (written and spoken)

Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities

We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.