Supplier Development and Qualtiy 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.

Reporting directly to Supplier Development & Quality Manager, you will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders across the company to develop suppliers to meet VAT’s standards and ensuring undisrupted supplier continuity with consistent delivery. You must have the ability to work independently, flexible and work within diverse multi-functional teams, using deep knowledge of the category to drive improvements in quality, cost, and technological capability of our supplier base.

The role requires quality centric mind-set to guide the supplier base towards consistent quality output. Success in this role is dependent on critical thinking, continuous process improvement of the supplier base and end customer satisfactions. Ultimately, you will improve our company’s products and processes and contribute to its growth.

Your responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Support Senior SDQ Supplier Development & Quality Engineer and/or Head of SDQ to drive Supplier improvement, evaluation & qualification action.
• Deploy VAT supplier standard & processes effectively across major suppliers.
• Develop supplier base to support relevant company requirements.
• Evaluate and qualify suppliers based on selection criteria.
• Audit and perform supplier capability assessments according to Asia Supply Chain Growth Plan.
• Drive continuous process improvement & identify key gaps at suppliers. Main focus on Machining Supplier, but not limited to Raw Materials, Surface Treatment (Clear/Hard Anodizing/Coating, Cleaning Level, Heat Treatment etc), M&E/P&E/E&E Assembly. Includes supplier training on VAT-specific processes and standards.
• Perform supplier situation analysis and execute quality improvement plan. Pursuit of quality goals and implementation and monitoring of improvement measures.
• Handling of supplier’s non-conformance and implement corrective actions.
• Feed technical & analytical data to support reporting of suplier development status.
• Ensure technical action is validated in the event of process improvement or escalation.
• Co-drive Supplier Quality Management Review or Quarterly Business Review with Category Management.

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree or Post graduare in engineering (Mechanical, Mechatronics or equivalent).
• At least 8 years of hands-on working experience in Manufacturing / QC environment.
• Worked directly from complex blueprints, patterns, sketches, 2D/3D/Steps Files.
• Proficient in Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance (GD&T) and Datum referencing.
• Experience in supplier management and change management.
• Demonstrated technical and analytical ability with high degree of professional acumen. Coupled with the ability to present results clearly and compellingly. 
• Demonstrated experience with production line setup/validation, equipment selection/qualification, manufacturing approaches for high/low volume/mix, and working with contract manufacturers. 
• Team player who works effectively in team or independent work environments; Self-starter with the ability to adapt, critical thinking skills & problem solving.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word and Powerpoint. 

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.