Vendor Quality Engineer

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Opportunity: 

As the Vendor Quality Engineer, you'll be reporting directly to a Vendor Quality Manager (based in China). This role plays a critical part in supporting Mattel’s growth initiatives by strengthening vendor and subcontractor quality performance across India.

The position focuses on developing, certifying, and monitoring vendors and subcontractors to support finished goods manufacturing, while continuously driving improvements in Quality Management Systems (QMS) and product quality.

The role offers hands-on exposure at our vendor site in Belgaum, and the opportunity to influence quality outcomes across a diverse manufacturing network.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Assess, qualify, and monitor subcontractors’ and vendors’ Quality Management Systems (QMS) to ensure compliance with Mattel requirements.
• Conduct readiness assessments to support new or evolving regulatory, legislative, and sustainability requirements or initiatives.
• Assist or lead vendors and subcontractors in problem-solving activities, including failure investigation, root cause analysis, and preventive action implementation.
• Track, analyze, and review quality KPIs with vendors and subcontractors, and drive timely corrective actions where needed.
• Provide training to vendors and subcontractors on updated Mattel procedures and requirements, and monitor effective implementation and continuous improvement.
• Support training and coaching for new hires as needed.

What We’re Looking For: 

• University or Technical College degree in Industrial Engineering or other relevant engineering disciplines.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of solid experience in product quality control, preferably within the toy industry, household appliances, consumer products, or injection plastic manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and manufacturing processes.
• Proven experience applying Statistical Process Control (SPC), Minitab, and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodologies.
• Strong communication skills in English.
• Effective presentation, decision-making, and negotiation skills, with a creative and innovative mindset.
• Willingness to travel locally 50% of the time, with occasional extended stays at other vendor sites ranging from a few days to several weeks.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:

We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Videos to watch:

The Culture at Mattel

Corporate Philanthropy