POSITION SUMMARYThe Manager, Supplier Quality is responsible for overseeing supplier quality management processes, ensuring that all suppliers meet the organization’s quality standards and regulatory requirements. This position involves evaluating, auditing, and collaborating with suppliers to ensure high-quality products and services, resolving quality issues, and driving continuous improvement in the supply chain. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Supplier Evaluation: Assess and approve new suppliers by evaluating their capabilities, quality systems, and compliance with industry standards.
Supplier Audits: Plan and conduct supplier audits (both remote and on-site) to assess the effectiveness of their quality management systems, compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., ISO, GMP), and adherence to contractual requirements.
Quality Assurance: Ensure all suppliers meet the organization’s quality standards and regulatory requirements, including ISO standards, FDA regulations, or other industry-specific requirements.
Non-Conformance Management: Manage the identification, investigation, and resolution of supplier-related non-conformances, leading root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
Supplier Performance Monitoring: Develop and track supplier performance metrics, including defect rates, on-time delivery, and compliance rates. Provide regular performance feedback to suppliers.
Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with suppliers to develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives, focusing on reducing defects, improving quality, and enhancing supplier processes.
Supplier Development: Work closely with suppliers to improve their quality systems and manufacturing processes, ensuring alignment with organizational quality and operational goals.
Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate supplier risks through the development of risk management strategies and contingency plans.
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams: Partner with internal departments such as Engineering, Procurement, and Operations to ensure supplier quality issues are resolved promptly and that new projects or materials meet quality standards.
Supplier Qualification & Approval: Lead the supplier qualification process, ensuring suppliers are selected based on robust criteria and meet necessary standards for quality, performance, and reliability.
Reporting & Documentation: Maintain detailed records of supplier performance, audit results, and corrective actions. Prepare reports for senior management on supplier quality metrics and improvement initiatives.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure supplier-related activities comply with relevant regulatory and quality standards applicable to the industry.
EDUCATION:
Required: Bachelor’s degree in technical or scientific field (e.g. engineering, chemistry, biology or mathematic).
Preferred: A master’s degree or MBA
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in government procurement product quality.
Experience with advanced quality planning (APQP) or production part approval process (PPAP).
Experience managing supplier development programs or working in global supply chains.
CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), or other quality-related certifications are preferred.
Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement certifications are a plus.
EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in supplier quality management, supply chain management, or quality assurance, preferably in government procurement-related roles.
Experience in supplier audits, quality systems, and corrective action processes.
SKILLS:
Strong understanding of quality management systems (QMS) and supplier quality standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or GMP.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with experience in root cause analysis and CAPA processes.
Strong leadership and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with suppliers and internal teams.
Proficiency in quality management and reporting tools, including ERP systems and supplier management software.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple supplier-related projects simultaneously.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate quality issues and initiatives effectively across all levels of the organization.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The performance of this position involves exposure to construction or industrial areas where the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats and hearing protection is required.
Must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including sitting, standing, walking, and driving in an automobile
May require walking and standing on irregular, uneven surfaces in an industrial setting and possibly at increased heights climbing and descending ladders and ship stairways.
Rhoads Industries, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, and disability.