Join Our Team as a Sr Supplier Quality Engineer
Thoratec Switzerland GmbH is a key player within the medical device division of Abbott Laboratories, an esteemed Fortune 500 company boasting a workforce of over 115,000 employees worldwide. As the global market leader in implantable and extracorporeal blood pumps utilizing magnetic levitation technology, we are dedicated to developing life-saving systems in Zurich for patients suffering from advanced heart failure who require short- or long-term circulatory support.
Located in the vibrant heart of Zurich, our team of around 130 employees focuses on the development, quality assurance, and production of the CentriMag system and the HeartMate 3.
Main Responsibilities
Supplier Quality Assurance
- Develop and maintain supplier quality assurance processes and procedures.
- Collaborate closely with suppliers to resolve quality issues, implement corrective actions, and provide technical support and guidance on quality-related matters.
- Review and approve supplier quality documentation.
- Monitor and manage Supplier Change Requests in cooperation with a cross-functional team.
Supplier Qualification
- Evaluate and qualify new suppliers to ensure they meet quality and performance standards.
- Establish Supplier Quality Agreements.
- Conduct initial assessments and supplier audits to confirm their capacity to deliver high-quality products and materials compliant with medical device requirements.
Supplier Audits and Assessments
- Conduct supplier audits and assessments to ensure adherence to quality standards.
Supplier Maintenance
- Maintain and manage the approved supplier list.
- Perform regular reviews and re-qualifications of existing suppliers to ensure continuing compliance with quality standards and current certifications.
Supplier Performance Monitoring
- Continuously evaluate supplier performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify areas for improvement.
- Lead initiatives for continuous improvement in collaboration with suppliers based on performance data.
- Prepare and present quality reports and metrics to management.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, procurement, and manufacturing, to resolve quality-related issues and supplier change requests.
Root Cause Analysis
- Lead root cause analysis and problem-solving activities for supplier-related quality issues.
- Investigate and resolve supplier-related non-conformances.
- Document and track NCMRs, ensuring timely and effective corrective actions.
- Drive the CAPA process to identify root causes of quality issues, implement corrective actions, and verify their effectiveness.
- Develop preventive measures to avoid recurrence of issues.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality management, or a related field.
- Experience in the medical devices industry or a similar field.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities and experience with root cause analysis methodologies.
- Proficient in quality tools and software.
- Fluency in both written and spoken German and English.
- At least 5 years of experience in supplier quality engineering or a related role.
- Strong command of quality assurance principles, methodologies, and tools.
- Experience with supplier audits and assessments.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Adept at working both independently and as part of a team.
- ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 Auditor certification (or comparable qualification) is preferred.
- Certification in quality management (e.g., Six Sigma) is a plus.
Why Work at Abbott?
At Abbott, you can engage in meaningful work that benefits others and elevate your career while being your true self. We offer:
- Career development opportunities within an international company.
- A position in a Fortune 500 company recognized as a leading manufacturer of medical devices.
- A challenging role in a resilient industry.
- A chance to join a dynamic, highly skilled, and motivated team.
- A multi-national environment that promotes talent development across the organization.
- Competitive compensation and benefits.
- A prime workplace located in the heart of Zurich.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our dedicated team with significant responsibilities. If you believe you align with our mission and have the skills we seek, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. We look forward to potentially welcoming you to our Zurich office!
For more information on our available openings, please visit our career site.