[Hiring] Senior Supplier Quality Engineer @Valmont Industries, Inc.

Role Description

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (Senior SQE) is a technical and strategic leader responsible for ensuring supplier quality performance across complex, high-risk, or high-spend commodities. This role leads advanced supplier quality planning, drives systemic improvement across the supply base, and mitigates quality and delivery risk throughout the product lifecycle.

• Serves as a subject matter expert in supplier quality, quality systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Independently leads critical supplier initiatives and mentors less experienced quality engineers.
• Partners closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, and leadership to influence sourcing decisions, design for manufacturability, and long-term supplier capability development.
• Success is measured by sustained supplier performance improvement, reduced cost of poor quality, effective risk mitigation, and leadership impact across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s with 5+ years of relevant experience or an Associate’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience or 9+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in supplier quality engineering, quality engineering, or manufacturing quality with demonstrated ownership of complex supplier issues.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems and supplier quality methodologies.
• Expert-level proficiency in structured problem-solving (8D, A3, 5 Whys, Fishbone) and statistical analysis tools.
• Experience working with industry and customer standards (e.g., ISO 9001, AISC, customer-specific requirements).
• Advanced ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Deep working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and metrology.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using quality, SPC, and ERP systems.

Requirements

• Experience leading supplier development programs and long-term capability improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing supplier quality for complex manufacturing processes such as metal fabrication, welding, coatings, or machined components.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
• Professional quality certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
• Experience supporting global suppliers and cross-regional operations.
• Demonstrated mentoring or informal leadership experience within a quality organization.

Benefits

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more