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Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

Milwaukee Tool · Brookfield, WI · Full time

Posted Aug 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a key supplier kept shipping nonconforming parts. What did you do, and how did it end?

What they are checking: Whether they drive real root cause and corrective action at the supplier instead of just sorting parts and filing complaints.

Describe a supplier audit you led that found something serious. How did you get the supplier to act on it?

What they are checking: Whether they can deliver hard findings to a partner and still keep the relationship working toward a fix.

Tell me about a time you had to push back on R&D or Operations about a supplier decision under schedule pressure.

What they are checking: Whether they can influence cross-functional partners with evidence when a launch date is pulling the other way.

What would you do

A Value Engineering team wants to switch to a cheaper supplier for a gear housing. How do you decide whether that change is safe?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh cost savings against quality risk with data, and hold the line when the risk is real.

You learn a Tier 1 supplier quietly changed a sub-supplier for a resin without telling anyone. What do you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they treat unapproved process changes as a serious containment risk and also fix the change control gap.

How would you decide which suppliers in a large base deserve the most of your time this quarter?

What they are checking: Whether they prioritize by risk and impact, using scorecards and data, instead of reacting to whoever is loudest.

About the work

Walk me through how you would qualify a new supplier for a part going into a heavy duty power tool, from first visit to production approval.

What they are checking: Whether they know the full qualification path, including audits, PPAP evidence and capability data, not just a checklist sign-off.

On a New Product Development project, how early do you get involved with suppliers, and what do you look at first?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that supplier quality problems are cheapest to prevent during design and tooling, before launch.

How do you use capability studies like Cpk with a supplier, and what do you do when a critical dimension comes back below target?

What they are checking: Whether they read process capability correctly and know the options when a supplier process is not stable enough.

Which problem solving method do you reach for most, 8D, 5 Why, fishbone or something else, and when does it fall short?

What they are checking: Whether they use structured problem solving with judgment rather than filling in a template to close a ticket.

Many of our suppliers are overseas. How do you manage quality with a supplier you can only visit a few times a year?

What they are checking: Whether they can build controls, data sharing and trust that work across distance, time zones and culture.

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The full job description

As published by Milwaukee Tool.

Job Description: Come be DISRUPTIVE with us! At Milwaukee Tool, our most valued resource is our dedicated team of employees - employees who work with a passion to be the best and an unparalleled pride in their work and in the Milwaukee brand. We know that the only way to sustain growth and success is to value the growth and success of each person within the organization, that's why we invest in an individual's growth and development from day one. All our teams touch every step of the process, that is why our engineering teams are some of the key contributors to our continuous innovations. The fast-paced, agile environment continuously delivers disruptive technologies by providing every team with the resources needed to excel and working directly with end users to understand how to deliver heavy duty products with high performance. We create best in class products by leveraging advanced analysis tools, extensive testing regimes, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and cross-functional agility. The Supplier Quality Engineer provides quality engineering services on cross-functional R&D and Operations projects, including New Product Development, Product Support, and Value Engineering. The primary duty of this position is to provide supplier selection support, development, and management of Milwaukee Tool's key supplier partnerships. The Supplier Quality Engineer will work closely with the Quality, Sourcing, and Engineering functions to perform supplier assessments/audits and communicate quality plans/strategies for key suppliers based on quality performance, cost objectives, drawing and engineering controls, and process/product requirements. The position will also lead on-site supplier process assessments/audits/development efforts to ensure compliance to Milwaukee Tool’s product requirements and process documentation. This position will develop action plans and monitor implementation of changes and improvements while also coaching suppliers in the utilization of best practices in manufacturing techniques. Duties and Responsibilities • Plan, coordinate, and conduct supplier audits to ensure that necessary process and quality controls are in place during supplier assessment visits or on-going supplier management assessments. • Implement and maintain quality improvement and auditing systems with suppliers. These systems will focus on process controls, metrology, quality control, quality management and quality systems. • Understand the supplier's current capabilities and potential new capabilities and communicate to purchasing, engineering, and quality personnel. • Drive resolution of quality issues back to the supplier. This includes customer complaints and non-conformances documented through reports, rating systems, supplier corrective action reporting, or other means of effective resolution of quality issues. • Identify systemic supplier quality issues and drive corrective and preventative actions through: 1) data and information collection regarding trends and issues 2) data and information collection from assessments and from supply base, and 3) root cause analysis and problem resolution. • Compile and report on supplier performance metrics. • Participate in supplier scorecard reviews along with sourcing to assess suppliers on their ability to meet quality and delivery goals. • Demonstrated specialized depth and/or breadth of process expertise in required area of focus. • Resolves complex problems using Root Cause, 8Ds, Six Sigma, Shainin Red X, and decision matrices. • Leads others to solve problems using analytical thought, exercising judgment, and identifying innovative solutions. May lead functional teams or projects. • Communicates difficult concepts such as process improvements and changes and negotiates with others to effectively influence as appropriate. • Create non-conformance material records (NCMR) in the QMS • Champion Supplier Corrective Actions (SCAR) to ensure effective root cause analysis and implementation in a timely manner. Education and Qualifications • Bachelor's Degree in either Quality, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering plus five (5) to eight (8) years of related work experience in a Supplier Quality role. • Experience in Supplier Management through the process of supplier selection, supplier auditing, supplier evaluations, supplier scorecards, supplier development, supplier improvement, and working through supplier exiting Strategies, when necessary. • Ability to work in a cross functional team and matrix management environment, while remaining agile within complex priority decision-making. • Demonstrated technical aptitude with strong written and verbal communication skills. • Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret process risks and gaps with extended supply chain and sub-tier suppliers and recommend best practices for improvement. • Demonstrated ability to indirectly lead a group and/or team and provide guidance and influence other employees. • Proven track record of demonstrating communication & leadership when managing complex, integrated projects. • Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and ability to apply Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Change-Over Reduction, and identify waste. • Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems to create, track, and document non-conformance records (NCMR), Supplier Corrective Actions (SCAR), and root cause analysis (8D). • Working knowledge of metal forming & joining (welding, stamping, etc), machining/grinding process controls, extrusion & sintering processes (carbide, etc), as well as inspection methods and complex problem-solving techniques. • Working knowledge with 1) lead auditing, 2) gauging methods, procedures and software and 3) Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing • Travel required up to 50% (20-30% expected) domestically and internationally, sometimes on short notice. Preferred • Professional society / organizational certification (CQE, CQA) • Experience with ISO-9001, TS16949, or VDA 6.3 process auditing • Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification • Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.

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