Role purposeDelivery combined continuous improvement and industrial engineering work within the assigned vendor team, from launch preparation through production and shipment. Execute supplier actions and maintain reliable technical evidence under the applicable SDE-led launch and project standards.One role with assigned specializationsAssignments may emphasize quality and continuous improvement or industrial engineering and launch execution. The Vendor Champion allocates work by demonstrated competence, product needs and capacity. Every SQE is not expected to master every discipline. Technical work may be assigned to a qualified SQE regardless of their primary emphasis, using the agreed local team structure.

• 1. Responsibilities shared across assignments
• Maintain a practical work plan covering supplier priorities, production schedules, launches and open issues. Agree ownership and dates with the VC and keep the existing systems current.
• Verify the actual product and process, identify risks early, coordinate supplier corrections and retain evidence of effective closure. Escalate unresolved safety, quality or technical issues through existing authority.
• Train suppliers and colleagues in assigned standards and methods. Develop additional skills through supervised practical work and share improvements that other teams can use.
• 2. Quality and continuous improvement specialization
• Perform assigned Out of Box Quality audits and process checks. Investigate defects through QIS and QIE, agree root causes and corrective actions, verify trials and confirm that improvements hold in production.
• Coordinate QC coverage with the actual packing and shipping schedule. Support reference samples, inspection consistency, critical-issue escalation, controlled rework and verification of repaired products.
• Lead assigned pilot run and Asia First Shipment Release activities under the applicable SDE-led launch or project standards. Verify materials, construction, function, finish, packing, documents and implementation of approved changes; coordinate required specialists and existing release decisions.
• Verify assembly methods, jigs, fixtures, glue coverage and product function with the technical SQE where needed. Prepare clear audit records, supplier follow-up and practical best practices using existing processes.
• 3. Industrial engineering specialization
• Prepare assigned launch samples, tools, document requirements and technical checks. Participate in PPR, record defects and test evidence, and verify corrective actions before final sample review.
• Prepare, review and maintain Assembly Instruction Sheets, Replacement Part Description Forms, carton layouts and Packing Bills of Materials. Compare them with the actual product and packaging, resolve rejected submissions, publish approved revisions and verify physical copies.
• Maintain accurate SKU data for dimensions, weight, cube, materials, hardware, construction images and labels. Verify the physical material information in the Vendor Verification System and coordinate separate regulatory review with Compliance.
• Prepare and perform assigned packaging, stability, function and other technical tests under the current applicable test plan. Record results, diagnose failures with the supplier and relevant specialist, and close corrections and retests. Apply the authorized protocol and approved exceptions; retain required testing and corrective-action evidence.
• Verify packing materials, methods and carton dimensions; resolve routine supplier packing issues. Use the SDE packaging specialist for shared design, standards and complex problems, while retaining the assigned supplier implementation owner.
• Prepare and implement assigned ECOs and engineering document updates. Verify changes against PPR or production units, obtain existing approvals, confirm the implementation date and provide the approved information to the supplier and quality team.
• Train vendors in assigned documentation, labeling, hardware packs, packaging, material data, jigs and fixtures. Verify physical reference samples and follow corrections through to completion.
• 4. Projects and working authority
• SDE owns the overarching technical project portfolio formerly managed by Project Engineers, including shared launch standards, packaging development and cross-vendor improvement. SQEs own routine vendor quality and technical execution and complete assigned trials, ECOs, implementation and evidence within those projects. An SQE may lead assigned vendor implementation under the accountable SDE project owner but does not own the cross-vendor portfolio or shared standards; the existing tracker records the scope, dates and capacity.
• The VC remains accountable for the vendor team and its priorities. SQEs perform reviews and approvals only within delegated authority. Existing technical, Product Development, Compliance and Field-Testing responsibilities remain in place. Coordinate Field Testing for its specified finish, stability and other tests. SDE provides expertise and portfolio ownership without adding a launch or product-release approval gate.