Supplier Quality Manager

About the role

Based in our Muscle Shoals office, you will own and deploy best-practice quality engineering processes, tools, and techniques. This includes supplier appraisal and selection, advanced product quality planning, supplier assessment, non-conformance management, supplier performance metrics, and continuous improvement. In this highly visible, hands-on role, you will work closely with both internal stakeholders and external providers, becoming the primary contact for supplier issues and setting the standard for quality in the production supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Develop the company's supplier quality assurance process and procedures to meet business needs and satisfy appropriate standards.
• Support the setup and maintenance of an approved supply chain, including initial identification processes and methodologies for potential suppliers with engineering and supply chain teams.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments (SCA) to inform supplier selection and continuous improvement.
• Provide quality oversight and input to negotiations and contract reviews with key suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Establish strong relations with suppliers' quality representatives and become a trusted partner.
• Drive supplier quality input to ‘made-to-specification’ design reviews, ensuring supplier quality risks across programs are understood and controlled.
• Communicate supplier feedback and progress to internal stakeholders, escalating issues as needed.
• Support the Supply Chain team in establishing and developing quality procedures and documentation to ensure compliance, accuracy, efficiency, and clarity with suppliers.
• Develop and manage non-conforming material and supplier root-cause analysis (RCA) investigation processes, ensuring effective data analysis and reporting for engineering teams.
• Ensure suppliers adhere to all relevant regulatory legislation and approve supplier quality documentation.
• Drive and support suppliers in continuously improving quality and performance.
• Determine and define incoming inspection processes and requirements, ensuring adherence, performance compliance, and traceability.
• Analyze internal and external quality data, documents, and act on opportunities for improving reliability and quality.
• Identify ways to eliminate unsatisfactory performance, improving processes to be better, cheaper, and/or faster while maintaining reliability and quality.
• Lead or facilitate targeted improvement initiatives, such as process/value stream mapping or rapid improvement/kaizen events.

Requirements

• Experience working in a complex electronics quality role.
• Strong supplier negotiation, engagement, and management skills.
• Lead auditor/auditing qualification to ISO 9001 and/or AS9100.
• Experience managing projects using APQP.
• Capability to generate, manage, and review PPAP and FAI documentation.
• Ability to facilitate Process Failure Mode Effect Analysis (PFMEA).
• Familiarity with problem-solving techniques (5Y, 8D, Ishikawa, etc.).
• Demonstrated field experience in supplier evaluation, auditing, development, and management of performance metrics.
• Detail-focused with the ability to multitask, manage deliverables, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Confidence working across multifunctional teams and excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with strong data manipulation and analysis skills in Excel.
• High integrity, team player with strong interpersonal and facilitation skills to drive issue resolution with suppliers.
• Ability to travel up to 30% to support supplier quality assurance activities.
• Degree or equivalent professional training in Quality Management/Engineering disciplines.
• Qualification in Six Sigma/Total Quality Management tools.
• IPC A-610 qualification or experience in quality assurance of electronic assemblies.
• QA experience in the development of high-frequency/telecommunication products.
• Knowledge of RoHS & REACH directives.
• Experience in the use and configuration of ERP/MRP systems.
• Understanding and experience of advanced statistical techniques.

Benefits

• Excellent compensation package, including competitive salary.
• 401(k) plan.
• Healthcare benefits.
• 25 days holiday in addition to U.S. Bank holidays.
• Bonus package.
• Career development training opportunities (in-house and external).
• Employee Referral scheme.