Supplier Quality Manager

Our Client is a Contract Manufacturing Company

We are seeking an experienced Supplier Quality Manager to lead our supplier quality function within the contract manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing supplier quality performance, strengthening supplier accountability, ensuring incoming materials meet defined quality requirements, and driving continuous improvement across the supplier base.

The role will lead and develop a team of Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs) and Incoming Quality Inspectors, while working closely with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and suppliers to establish robust quality-at-source practices and progressively shift quality ownership upstream to suppliers.

A key responsibility will be ownership of the company's Ship to Stock (STS) program, including establishing supplier qualification criteria, monitoring supplier performance, reducing incoming inspection requirements for proven suppliers, and ensuring suppliers assume greater responsibility for inspection and product quality at source.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Management

 Lead, manage, and develop a team of Supplier Quality Engineers and Incoming Quality Inspectors.

 Establish and maintain supplier quality objectives, standards, KPIs, and performance metrics.

 Drive supplier accountability for the quality of materials and components supplied to the company.

 Monitor supplier performance, including supplier PPM, incoming defects, escapes, corrective actions, responsiveness, and overall quality performance.

 Lead supplier quality improvement initiatives and drive timely resolution of supplier quality issues.

 Manage supplier corrective actions, including 8D, CAPA, root-cause analysis, and preventive actions.

 Conduct and/or coordinate supplier audits and assessments to evaluate quality systems, process controls, and manufacturing capabilities.

 Support supplier qualification, development, and continuous improvement programs.

Ship to Stock Program Ownership

 Own and drive the Ship to Stock (STS) program across qualified suppliers and materials.

 Drive suppliers toward quality-at-source, where suppliers are responsible for conducting e2ective inspections and controls before products are shipped.

 Ensure suppliers have appropriate inspection standards, test methods, sampling plans, measurement equipment, and trained personnel.

 Work with suppliers to strengthen their internal quality control and inspection systems rather than relying on incoming inspection as the primary quality control.

 Review and approve supplier requalification, suspension, and reinstatement decisions for the STS program.

Incoming Quality & Inspection

 Oversee incoming quality inspection activities and ensure appropriate inspection standards and sampling plans are implemented.

 Optimize incoming inspection based on supplier performance, material risk, and quality history.

 Drive a transition from company-controlled incoming inspection toward supplier controlled inspection and accountability.

 Ensure incoming inspectors focus on risk-based verification and detection of supplier quality escapes.

 Analyze incoming inspection data to identify recurring supplier issues and opportunities for corrective action.

 Ensure clear escalation of material quality issues to SQEs, suppliers, Procurement, and relevant internal stakeholders.

Cross-Functional & Business Responsibilities

 Work closely with Procurement and suppliers to ensure purchased materials and components meet quality, technical, and customer requirements.

 Partner with Engineering and Procurement during NPI to assess supplier readiness, quality risks, and production capability.

 Support supplier selection and sourcing decisions by providing quality assessments and performance data.

 Lead supplier quality reviews and communicate performance, risks, and improvement plans to management.

 Escalate significant supplier quality issues and coordinate cross-functional containment and resolution activities.

 Ensure e2ective communication of supplier quality requirements and expectations.

 Drive data-based decision making and continuous improvement throughout the supplier quality organization.

 Ensure compliance with company quality management systems, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards.

 Coach and mentor SQEs and Incoming Quality Inspectors and establish team performance objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

 Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Electronics, or a related discipline.

 Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, incoming quality, or a related field.

 Experience in an EMS, electronics, contract manufacturing, or high-volume manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.

 Strong knowledge of supplier quality management, incoming inspection, root-cause analysis, CAPA, and 8D methodologies.

 Demonstrated experience in supplier development and driving quality ownership at source.

 Experience establishing or managing Ship to Stock, dock-to-stock, supplier self inspection, or reduced incoming inspection programs is highly advantageous.

 Experience conducting supplier audits, assessments, and improvement activities.

 Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, component quality, inspection methods, and quality control requirements.

 Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.

 Ability to work e2ectively with suppliers and cross-functional internal teams.

 Proficient in Microsoft O2ice and quality data analysis/reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications

 Experience with ISO 9001 or other relevant quality management standards.

 Experience in electronics manufacturing, including electronic components, box build, mechanical components, and/or final assembly.

 Knowledge of SPC, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, PPAP, and Six Sigma methodologies.

 Experience implementing supplier scorecards and performance management systems.

 Experience developing supplier inspection standards and quality-at-source programs.

 Professional certification such as CQE, Six Sigma, or equivalent is an advantage.

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this role will be measured by:

 Reduction in supplier PPM and incoming material defects.

 Reduction in supplier-related production disruptions and quality escapes.

 Increase in the percentage of qualified suppliers/materials under the Ship to Stock program.

 Reduction in reliance on incoming inspection through demonstrated supplier quality performance.

 Improvement in supplier on-time and e2ective corrective action closure.

 Increase in supplier ownership of inspection, testing, and quality release activities.

 Reduction in recurring supplier quality issues.

 Improvement in overall supplier quality performance and capability.

Key Competencies

 Supplier quality leadership

 Quality-at-source mindset

 Team management and development

 Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

 Supplier relationship and negotiation skills

 E2ective communication and influencing skills

 Data-driven decision making

 Continuous improvement mindset

 Strong ownership and accountability

 Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment