Function goal:

As a Supplier Development Engineer you will collaborate across Fresenius Medical Care (FME) and work with nominated categories of suppliers to proactively ensure the assigned suppliers can routinely meet the  quality, reliability (supply, materials etc) performance and cost expectations of FME.  Working as a key member of the Chemicals, Plastics and Components category team and partnering with other Supplier Development Engineers you are responsible to support the nominated  suppliers through the supplier lifecycle ( selection through design to sustainable volume production)   Based on your strong knowledge in quality tools, you will continually coach and improve the supplier performance and track the relevant KPIs to avoid problems before they arise.

Tasks:

Evaluation and approval of preferred suppliers in cooperation with Quality & Procurement teams (based on the VDA potential supplier audit)Qualification of suppliers, process & product according to the Fresenius Advanced Quality Planning (FAQP) programSecuring that the FAQP topics are covered, gate reviews held and relevant actions monitored in the project teamAssurance of the appropriate production maturity to hand over to the production team including safe launchSupport the design and drawing review to achieve the targeted outcomes for quality standards, structure and contentPrepare and conduct supplier process audits, process releases.Support resolution of repeat escalations regarding product non-conformities as well as general improvement actionsApply Toyota Production System (TPS) principles to analyze and streamline supplier production methods for existing partsIdentify opportunities to reduce waste and improve quality while maintaining or lowering costsCollaborate with suppliers to implement Lean techniques to optimize production flow, enhance quality, and drive down lead timesTrack and report on supplier performance, focusing on quality, cost, and delivery metrics.Work in close collaboration with Quality, Procurement, MSC & Verticals to improve and secure product- and process qualityCoordinate activities and Supplier Performance Engineering resources to support new addition and/or change projects with the Technical Project Procurement Team (TPPM)Monitoring of TPPM project progress to identify and mitigate potential Supplier performance related risks (Quality, reliability, delivery, sustainability)

Requirements:

Completed engineering degree (such as mechanical engineering) or comparable qualificationSeveral years of professional experience in the field of supplier quality, purchasing or quality managementAdvanced knowledge in quality tools (FMEA, SPC, CpK, 8D, etc.), NPD and audit (VDA 6.3 preferred) as well as process validation, lean manufacturing and root cause analysis (RCA)Good technical understanding, analytical skills as well as strong communication and project management skillsVery good written and English skillsfluent German preferred