KONE is a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry—our mission is to improve the flow of urban life. We provide elevators, escalators, and automatic building doors, as well as maintenance and modernization solutions that add value throughout the lifecycle of any building.
The KONE Purchasing Organization is responsible for a resilient, industry‑leading supply chain network, enabling us to meet and exceed customer expectations. We are working towards a locally accountable, globally harmonized operating model for our supply chain operations. We work in an agile manner, navigating changing market needs together with our customers and partners.
Supplier Quality Management (SQM) is a global organization within KONE Purchasing, responsible for ensuring safe and reliable People Flow™.
We are now looking for a Supplier Quality Engineer to join our European SQM team in Hyvinkää, Finland or Italy Pero
SQM Engineers ensure that suppliers are capable and comply with KONE’s quality, safety, and sustainability requirements. The role applies supplier quality management processes, tools, and resources to drive supplier excellence.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and perform day‑to‑day Supplier Quality Management (SQM) activities with KONE suppliers, working closely with internal stakeholders such as sourcing, factories, engineering, modernization, spare parts, major projects, logistics, and installation teams.
- Plan and carry out supplier audits in line with the annual audit program.
- Prepare, update, and negotiate supplier quality agreements (Quality Annex) together with the KONE Contract Owner.
- Participate in product development and change projects by ensuring suppliers are ready for production launch. This includes risk analysis, defining critical quality requirements, supporting suppliers in implementing changes, and managing part approval processes (for new product development projects, this responsibility may be handled by a dedicated project quality role).
- Monitor, analyze, and report supplier performance using defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Support the supplier scorecard process and participate in performance discussions together with the Contract Owner.
- Identify quality issues and drive corrective, preventive, and recovery actions together with suppliers.
- Take part in supplier certification and approval processes.
- Contribute to supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support supplier negotiations when quality commitments or improvements are required.
- Ensure suppliers follow KONE sourcing principles, policies, processes, and procedures.
- Ensure supplier compliance with quality, safety, and environmental requirements and standards.
Requirements
- Minimum B.Sc. degree in a technical field.
- 3–7 years of experience in industrial engineering, manufacturing processes, supplier quality management, quality engineering, supply chain, sourcing, or similar.
- Fluency in Italian/Finnish (depends on the location) and English (spoken and written).
- Experience in product and process auditing; experience with VDA 6.3, ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 or similar standards.
- Experience with PPAP methodology and VDA 2 requirements for supplier part approval processes.
- Understanding of manufacturing processes and technologies in relevant categories.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work across levels and cultures.
- Excellent project management and problem‑solving skills, with strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Good knowledge of supplier quality management methods and tools (Control Plans, CTQ, SPC, FMEA, Six Sigma, Lean, DMAIC, Poka‑Yoke).
- Strong solution‑oriented mindset and ability to follow through to ensure quality and sustainability.
- Self‑driven and motivated to learn and coach others.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to 30%).
Preferred Qualifications
- M.Sc. degree in a relevant technical field.
- Fluency in additional European languages (e.g., German, Polish).
- Lean and/or Six Sigma certification.
- Understanding of automotive industry quality practices such as IATF.
How to Apply
Please submit your application, including both a CV and cover letter, no later than May 29th.
Interviews may be conducted on an ongoing basis, and the position may be filled before the application deadline.
This role follows a hybrid working model, requiring presence in the office three days per week.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Veselý, Hiring Manager at martin.vesely@kone.com
or
Sara Kinell, Recruitment Specialist, KONE Nordics at sara.kinell@kone.com
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At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.
Read more on https://careers.kone.com/en/
