About EQI
EQI is fluent in doing business around the world, so our customers don’t have to be. EQI sources metal castings, forgings, and fabrications from carefully selected suppliers around the globe. EQI manages every aspect of the product life-cycle -- from Product Development to Production Qualification to Logistics / Vendor Managed Inventory Services -- letting its customers choose specific services and locations to meet their specific needs. The metal components we specialize in are sourced from more than two dozen carefully selected manufacturers across China, India, Vietnam and the North America. By diversifying our supply base across several manufacturers and regions and offering redundant tooling locations, EQI mitigates risks and maximizes the flexibility to shift production from one location to another. EQI ships to and from multiple ports around the world, supporting our customers with full vendor-managed inventory services at the end location.
EQI is headquartered in Spring Lake, Michigan with offices in Cambridge, Canada; Cleveland, Ohio; Craigavon, Northern Ireland; Beijing, China; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Coimbatore, India
Location: Spring Lake, MI (Travel Required)
Department: Supply Chain
Reports To: Director, Strategic Sourcing & Development
Position Summary
The Supplier Quality Technician is responsible for ensuring EQI purchased components and services meet established quality, specification, compliance, and delivery requirements. Serving as a key liaison between suppliers and internal teams, this role conducts product inspections, verifies documentation, supports supplier audits, investigates quality issues, drives containment and corrective actions, and monitors supplier performance. The technician works directly with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes, reduce defects, and strengthen overall product quality while providing hands-on support and training to promote consistent quality standards throughout the supply chain.
Essential Functions
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Supplier Quality Assurance & Management
- Perform product inspections and review quality documentation, including dimensional reports, certifications, and inspection records, to verify conformance to drawings and customer requirements.
- Support supplier corrective actions, containment activities, and process improvement initiatives in a hands-on approach to improve product quality and reduce defects.
- Segregation, inspection, and physical rework of parts required to deliver conforming products to EQI’s customers
- Assist with First Article Inspections (FAI), PPAP submissions, and process validations on-site at suppliers, as needed.
- Support supplier qualification, evaluation, audits, and ongoing performance monitoring to ensure compliance with quality requirements, specifications, and industry standards.
- Nonconformance Management & Continuous Improvement
- Investigate supplier quality issues, lead root cause analysis, and utilize structured problem-solving tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, and 8D methodologies.
- Coordinate Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), verifying timely implementation and effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
- Partner with suppliers to drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce defects, improve process capability, and minimize variation.
- Support supplier development by reviewing manufacturing processes, inspection methods, and quality systems to improve product quality and process controls.
- Collaboration & Reporting
- Collaborate with internal teams (Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Manufacturing) and suppliers to address quality concerns and support business objectives.
- Maintain supplier quality records, audit reports, corrective actions, and performance metrics while ensuring compliance with quality management system requirements.
- Engaged suppliers with quality performance reports, trends, and improvement opportunities to management and key stakeholders.
- Support supplier qualification, product launches, and customer/internal audits while assisting with the resolution of supplier-related quality issues impacting production or customers.
- Other duties as assigned by the EQI Management Team.
Position Requirements
- The individual must be able to:
- Travel throughout United States, Canada, and Mexico up to 40-60% of the time for supplier audits, quality investigations, process reviews, and supplier development activities.
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, tolerancing, and quality requirements.
- Work in manufacturing and industrial environments, including standing, walking, metal finishing, and inspecting manufacturing processes for extended periods.
- Lift up to 25 pounds, occasionally.
- Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills and build effective working relationships with various stakeholders.
- Manage multiple priorities and deadlines with strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Preference will be given to individuals possessing the following skill sets:
- Associate degree in Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, or related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- 3+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, metal finishing and inspection, or quality assurance.
- Significant experience working in metal products industries with manufacturing processes of casting, finishing, machining, and coatings
- Hands-on experience in finishing and inspection of metal products for aerospace, automotive, agricultural, or similar technical industry
- Experience with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or similar quality management systems
- General understanding of PPAP, APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, and Statistical Process Control (SPC) is preferrable
- Certification such as ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT), Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), or equivalent.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Benefits and Work Environment
EQI offers a full suite of superior benefits to full-time employees
- EQI funds 100% of the monthly costs for the following basic benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
- Participation in a 401(k) plan that includes a company match and discretionary profit sharing
- Reimbursable health club membership
- Competitive vacation policy with 11 paid holidays each year
- Flexible work hours to accommodate family requirements/travel schedules
- Industry leading base and incentive compensation (bonus) plan for exceptional employees
EQI provides a dynamic, open, and collaborative work environment where every team member is valued and rewarded for their contributions. We seek to employ highly motivated, skilled, and entrepreneurial people to continue EQI’s impressive growth. Join EQI and “Improve Your Position”.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $82,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
