Global Supplier Quality Specialist

Summary

As a Global Supplier Quality Specialist, you will join a high-impact team dedicated to driving customer-focused excellence and continuous improvement across our external and vertically integrated supply chain. In this role, you will ensure full compliance with industry, customer, and internal organizational requirements while fostering a Zero Defect culture focused on value maximization and problem prevention. You will play a critical role in quantifying, managing, and mitigating supply chain risks to ensure a continuous flow of high-quality components and minimize disruptions.

Detailed Description

Supplier Quality & Risk Management

• Requirement Alignment: Monitor and cascade customer and internal requirements down through suppliers and sub-tier suppliers to ensure clear expectations.
• Supplier Audits: Manage, execute, and report on a risk-based Supplier Audit program. Conduct qualification audits to evaluate quality systems, technical capabilities, and process capabilities.
• Onboarding & Selection: Support supplier selection and seamless onboarding processes.
• Risk Mitigation: Identify and manage supply chain risks to ensure uninterrupted production flow.

Quality Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Launch & Transition Quality: Execute Quality Planning during New Product Introductions (NPI), flawless launches, transfers, and major process changes.
• Process Governance: Develop, deploy, document, maintain, and continuously improve robust Global Supplier Quality processes and procedures.
• Performance Tracking: Collect, analyze, and present supplier performance data, metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Corrective Actions: Drive Supplier Quality Improvement Plans (SQIP) for systemic issues. Collaborate with suppliers and internal site representatives using formal root cause and corrective action tools.
• Supplier Development: Educate and train suppliers on core quality tools (e.g., FMEA, Control Plans, 8D) to elevate their quality capabilities.
• Business Reviews: Participate actively in Periodic Business Reviews (PBRs) for high-impact and preferred suppliers to support strategic quality objectives.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

Qualification & Competencies

Technical Knowledge & Quality Tools

• Industry Standards: Practical knowledge of international quality standards (e.g., AS9000 series, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, FDA, VDA, etc.).
• Core Quality Tools: Extensive expertise in APQP, FMEA, PPAP, Control Plans, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Gage R&R.
• Manufacturing Processes: Hands-on experience with electronic and mechanical assembly, along with a wide spectrum of manufacturing techniques.
• Technical Specifications: Solid understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and the control of Key/Critical Characteristics.

Auditing & Problem-Solving

• Extensive experience conducting quality audits (Lead Auditor certification preferred).
• Advanced problem-solving capabilities, with proven ability to lead teams through root cause analysis and corrective action using 8D and formal quality frameworks.

Professional & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage and lead multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Highly motivated, adaptable, and comfortable working in remote or hybrid team environments.

Experience & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and/or supply chain management within relevant industries.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related technical or business field (or equivalent combination of education and experience). Educational requirements may vary by geography.
• Certifications: Lean Six Sigma qualification (Green or Black Belt) is preferred but not required.
• Travel Requirement: 25% to 50% travel required (domestic and international as needed for supplier audits and performance reviews).

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.