Supplier Quality Manager

Job Summary: 
The Supplier Quality Manager is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s supplier quality strategy to ensure that all purchased materials, components, and services conform to internal, customer, and regulatory requirements. This role manages the overall quality and compliance performance of the Burbank supply base, drives continuous improvement across suppliers, and leads a team of Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs) in executing Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), risk mitigation, and root-cause-based quality improvements. The individual in this role serves as the primary interface between the company and its suppliers for all quality related matters. 

Essential Functions: 

• Supplier Quality Leadership: Provide strategic oversight of supplier quality operations. Lead, mentor, and develop Supplier Quality Engineers, ensuring effective performance, technical competency, and consistent execution of quality policies. Support new product design and introduction 

• Non-Conformance Management: Oversee the management of supplier nonconformance, including NCRs and SRRs. Ensure suppliers proactively report nonconforming material prior to shipment, verify completeness of submissions, authorize MRB dispositions where appropriate, and ensure timely closure and documentation. Responsible for investigation of and formal response to all customer complaints (SCARS) 

• Corrective Action & Root Cause Implementation: Ensure robust root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions addressing systemic issues. Establish standards for thorough investigation, enforce corrective action timeliness, and verify effectiveness to prevent recurrence. Participate in internal and external quality audits 

• Establish a zero-defect culture by leading the deployment and continuous improvement of AS9145 and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)

• Inspection Oversight: Lead the alignment between Supplier Quality and Receiving Inspection. Ensure inspection criteria are current and receiving teams validate supplier dispositions appropriately. Support improvements in inspection processes and incoming quality verification. 

• Process Control & Continuous Improvement: Partner with operations, engineering, and supply chain teams to implement preventive process controls, optimize control plans, align with PFMEAs and process flows, and champion a prevention focused quality culture. 

• Supplier Risk Management: Lead annual and ongoing supplier risk assessments, identifying risks related to performance, capability, capacity, and compliance. Ensure mitigation plans are developed, implemented, and monitored. 

• Supplier Development & Performance Management: Drive supplier performance through KPIs, scorecards, audits, development plans, and joint improvement initiatives. Facilitate strategic supplier reviews and ensure alignment and training to APQP/PPAP (AS9145) standards. 

• Training & Technical Development: Ensure the SQE team maintains strong proficiency in AS9100, AS9145, root cause analysis methods, SPC, risk management tools, and QMS utilization (Oracle, etc.). Provide structured training programs, mentor engineers, and lead technical workshops to elevate team capability. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• 5+ years of relevant experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or related roles in aerospace, defense, space electronics, or other high reliability industries, 3+ years of leadership or people management experience. 

• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and process control methodologies. 

• Understanding of manufacturing best practices, logistics/inventory processes, project management, safety management, and APQP/PPAP (AS9145). 

• Experience with APQP tools – Process flow Diagram, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, Process Capability, SPC

• Strong analytical, problem solving, and investigative skills. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Education/Certification: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (ME-preferred, EE, MSc., Chem) from an accredited institution

• Eligibility Requirement: Position may require access to Controlled Data (ITAR). Only U.S. Persons (citizen, permanent resident, protected individual) will be considered. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Strongly preferred experience with aerospace manufacturing methods including precision GD&T Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing for Machining and Grinding
• Preferred experience with NADCAP special processes requirements
• Preferred AS9100 Auditor experience, ASQ CQM, CQE
• Preferred experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Demonstrated success leading supplier improvement or development initiatives