Jessika Stamper
Jessika Stamper is an accomplished Supplier Development Engineer specializing in Global Quality, currently contributing her expertise at New Flyer. In her role, she works directly with suppliers who manufacture components for the public transportation buses and motor coaches the company builds. Her responsibilities are truly global, managing relationships with suppliers across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Jessika travels extensively to supplier locations to review processes, conduct quality audits, and ensure components meet stringent quality standards and are delivered on time. She serves as a critical communication channel between suppliers and manufacturing plants, ensuring that quality parts are available when needed and that installation and assembly proceed smoothly.
Throughout her 20-plus year career in quality, Jessika has held diverse roles, including Quality Systems Engineer, Customer Quality Engineer, and Global Corporate Quality and Supplier Development Engineer. She has worked in a variety of industries, from garage door openers and operators at Chamberlain Group, to batteries and axles for vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco at Dana Incorporated, as well as casting operations with Caterpillar. At each stage, her focus has remained on understanding processes, improving quality, and ensuring that final products meet or exceed standards. She leads root cause analysis and corrective actions, guiding suppliers through every phase from new product launches to ongoing production.
An Industrial Engineer by training from the Instituto Tecnológico de La Laguna, Jessika combines technical expertise with a deep curiosity about how things are made. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she brings a global perspective to supplier development and quality management. Passionate about continuous improvement, she has spent her career studying processes, asking critical questions, and ensuring that the highest quality products reach customers. Her extensive experience across industries, geographies, and manufacturing environments positions her as a trusted leader in global quality and supplier development.
• Industrial Engineer
• ISO 9000
• ISO TS
• ASQ Member (working on supplier quality certification)
• Instituto Tecnológico de La Laguna - Mfg. Eng.
• ASQ (American Society for Quality)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to confidence, confidence that I've built over the years in my career. When I was just starting out as a recent graduate, working in this engineering world that is still mostly male-dominated, it was a little bit intimidating at the beginning. But as I started getting comfortable and feeling more confident, that's what really put me where I am today. I don't let anybody or anything intimidate me anymore. If I don't understand something, I just ask, or I study it. With all the resources we have now with the internet, when they assign me a new supplier, the first thing I do is go online and research what the supplier does, what issues we've had in the past, and I start studying. I read a lot about things related to what I'm interested in. Being prepared and having that knowledge gives you confidence, and it helps you not feel intimidated. That confidence is what has really driven my success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never stop believing, and never stop reaching your goals. If you dream it, just go for it. If you have a passion for something, don't think that it's going to be unreachable - if you like it and you really wish to do it, just go for it. This type of industry, when you work in the engineering world, can sometimes be a little bit intimidating because it's a world that is still lived by a lot of men. But don't let yourself be intimidated. There are a lot of women now getting more involved in this field every time, which is amazing. The challenge might be there, especially in your early years, but as you start getting comfortable and gaining confidence in your career over the years, that's what will carry you forward. Teamwork is very important to succeed in this field - don't close yourself off or avoid sharing your knowledge. If you have a question, ask it, even if you think it might seem silly. Gain their trust, work with confidence, and remember that teamwork is essential to success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, the biggest challenge is trying to keep up with the technology. You never stop learning, so we need to stay on top of all the technology that is evolving every day, especially now with AI. You've got to keep yourself up to date and stay at the level that the industry requires right now. That's why I'm currently working on a certification for supplier quality through the ASQ - it's about making sure I have the certifications in my field to stay current with where the industry is heading.