Corporate Supplier Quality Manager

Job Title

Corporate Supplier Quality Manager

Job Summary

The Corporate Supplier Quality Manager – Americas is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading the organization's domestic Supplier Quality Management Program while ensuring alignment with global supplier quality strategies and standards. This role serves as the corporate leader for supplier quality across the America’s region, partnering closely with Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and the International Supplier Quality team to establish a consistent, risk-based approach to supplier qualification, performance monitoring, auditing, development, and continuous improvement.

The Supplier Quality Manager is accountable for building a scalable supplier quality framework, driving supplier performance, reducing supplier-related quality risks, and strengthening supplier capabilities through structured development programs. The position collaborates with manufacturing facilities to resolve supplier quality issues, establish supplier performance expectations, conduct supplier audits, drive corrective actions, and improve supplier process capability.

This role provides strategic leadership and technical expertise in supplier quality management, quality systems, auditing, risk management, and supplier development while supporting global sourcing initiatives and alignment with international supplier quality standards.

Job Duties

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Corporate Supplier Quality Management Program for the America’s region, ensuring alignment with global supplier quality strategies and business objectives.
• Establish and maintain supplier quality policies, procedures, standards, work instructions, audit protocols, and governance processes.
• Lead supplier qualification, approval, onboarding, and performance management activities using a risk-based approach.
• Partner with Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and International Supplier Quality teams to drive supplier quality excellence and standardization across all manufacturing locations.
• Develop and execute supplier auditing programs including supplier capability assessments, new supplier audits, surveillance audits, process audits, and special investigations.
• Assess supplier quality systems, manufacturing processes, technical capabilities, certifications, and compliance to applicable customer, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Manage supplier audit findings, corrective actions, effectiveness verification, and closure activities.
• Establish supplier scorecards, performance metrics, and KPI reporting systems to monitor quality, delivery, responsiveness, and risk.
• Analyze supplier performance trends, identify systemic risks, and lead supplier performance reviews and improvement initiatives.
• Develop and execute supplier development programs focused on quality systems, process capability, defect reduction, operational excellence, and long-term supplier capability growth.
• Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, containment, corrective action, and preventive action methodologies.
• Drive timely closure of Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and escalate chronic supplier performance concerns as necessary.
• Collaborate with manufacturing plants to address supplier-related quality issues, support production continuity, and improve incoming quality performance.
• Support supplier selection, sourcing transitions, APQP activities, and supplier readiness for new product and process launches.
• Develop and maintain supplier quality dashboards, databases, and reporting systems utilizing business intelligence tools to support data-driven decision making.
• Provide leadership, training, coaching, and technical guidance to plant quality personnel, auditors, procurement teams, and suppliers regarding supplier quality requirements and best practices.
• Support strategic sourcing, supply chain resiliency, business growth, and customer satisfaction objectives through effective supplier quality leadership.

Experience and Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related scientific discipline, with substantial experience in supplier quality management.

Minimum of 8-10 years in a manufacturing environment. Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in supplier quality, quality systems, or quality management.

Extensive experience with supplier audits and supplier development.

Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations.

Experience with forging, casting, machining, plating, heat treating, galvanizing, coatings, fabricated metals, and outsourced manufacturing processes.

Experience managing domestic and international supplier networks.

Experience working with multinational supply chains.

Prior experience supporting utility, electrical, automotive, industrial, or heavy manufacturing industries.

Ability and willingness to travel approximately 40–50% domestically and internationally.

Competencies/Skills

• Proven ability to develop and lead enterprise-wide supplier quality programs that align with business objectives, operational requirements, and customer expectations.
• Demonstrated leadership in driving organizational change, influencing stakeholders, and building a culture of supplier quality excellence and continuous improvement.
• Ability to provide strategic direction and technical leadership across multiple manufacturing facilities and supplier networks.
• Extensive experience in supplier qualification, supplier development, supplier performance management, and supplier risk assessment.
• Strong understanding of supplier quality systems, manufacturing process controls, and supplier lifecycle management.
• Experience managing domestic and international supplier relationships across complex manufacturing supply chains.
• Expert knowledge of ISO 9001 with practical auditing experience; working knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and IATF 16949 principles preferred.
• Skilled in planning, leading, and executing supplier quality system audits, process audits, capability assessments, and compliance evaluations.
• Ability to evaluate suppliers against customer-specific requirements, industry standards, and corporate quality expectations.
• Advanced proficiency in structured problem-solving methodologies, including 8D, A3, 5 Why, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis, and corrective action systems.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and suppliers through complex quality investigations and sustainable corrective actions.
• Strong focus on prevention, defect reduction, process stability, and long-term risk mitigation.
• Experience leading supplier development initiatives focused on process capability, operational performance, quality system maturity, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, error-proofing (Poka-Yoke), process optimization, and waste reduction methodologies.
• Ability to mentor suppliers and internal teams in quality best practices and performance improvement strategies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, industry standards, and customer requirements.
• Experience with forging, casting, machining, plating, galvanizing, heat treating, coatings, fabricated metals, and outsourced manufacturing processes preferred.