Supplier Quality Manager

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 effective 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 effective 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 effectively with suppliers and cross-functional internal teams. - Proficient in Microsoft Office 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.