1.JOB SCOPE
The Supplier Quality Engineer, paper category is responsible for managing supplier quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives for all paper mills across APAC. The role serves as the key interface between suppliers, sourcing, engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to drive supplier performance, resolve quality issues, and ensure supply chain stability and compliance.
2.REPORTING
This role reports directly to the Sourcing Manager, APAC
3.RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage supplier quality performance for Paper Suppliers.
- Define and implement supplier qualification, inspection, and validation requirements for paper grades and raw materials.
- Support supplier onboarding and new supplier development activities, including process qualification and production readiness assessments.
- Drive process and product reliability improvements through supplier capability enhancement and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Lead investigations into supplier defects, field failures, and recurring quality issues, ensuring robust corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
- Coordinate Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR) and monitor supplier recovery plans to minimize operational disruptions.
- Conduct supplier process audits focusing on paper machine, testing, and quality control systems.
- Partner with engineering, sourcing, operations, and field service teams to support engineering changes, product launches, and localization projects.
- Develop supplier performance metrics covering quality, responsiveness, and service reliability.
- Organize supplier business reviews and escalation forums to strengthen supplier performance and supply continuity.
4.0 PROFILE
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience within pulp and paper, paper converting, or packaging materials industries.
- Strong understanding of papermaking processes (stock preparation, wet end, calendering) and paper converting operations, sufficient to audit a paper mill effectively.
- Working knowledge of paper testing standards (TAPPI T-methods, ISO) and key paper properties: basis weight, caliper, tensile strength, moisture content, smoothness, and coefficient of friction.
- Experience with quality tools and methodologies, including FMEA, CAPA, 8D etc
- Experience applying SPC and measurement system analysis (MSA) to supplier quality data.
- Familiarity with ISO and supplier quality auditing practices.
- Familiarity with FSC/PEFC chain-of-custody requirements is an advantage.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in English; Mandarin or third Asian language capability would be an advantage.
- Willingness to travel regionally to supplier locations as required.
