Supplier Quality Manager

Job Introduction

Reporting to the North American Quality Manager and in close collaboration with the Global Purchasing and Engineering organizations you will be responsible for Quality deliverables required from the Supplier Base in delivering fully conforming and effective products while ensuring processes for existing product remain in control without detriment to overall delivery and cost performance.

The Supplier Base includes external suppliers of parts that are built into hydraulic valves and systems such as component manufacturers, manifold suppliers, material processors, proprietary part suppliers, and tooling manufacturers prototype shops. The supply base also includes suppliers of heat treat, coatings, ground and honed parts.

Role Responsibility

• Define the Supplier Quality Assurance Strategy for the North American organization.
• Develop a responsive, and technically competent Supplier Quality organization.
• Communication of the Quality Assurance requirements internally and externally to the supply base.
• Define areas of weakness at individual suppliers, establish goals for improvement, and implement projects to resolve.
• Take ownership for the definition, updating and communication of the Supplier Quality Assurance Manual.
• Working with Purchasing and the suppliers Quality organizations, monitor current supplier performance: Impact, Quality, Warranty and Cost.
• Develop and implement a follow up mechanism with suppliers on a regular basis with an end toward increasing the Quality performance.
• Assist the suppliers with the development of new and existing components to assure fitness for use.
• Support the internal Design Engineering group during program review meetings.
• Assist the suppliers with the development of PPAP documentation (Dimensional verification requirements, Process Flow charts, Control Plans, PFMEAs, MSA and material analysis).
• Develop processes to support the approval of PPAP submissions and run-at-rate disciplines.
• Provide feedback to the supplier in instances where PPAP submissions are not accepted.
• Work with Purchasing to establish and lead supplier Readiness Review mechanism for new and transferred product and processes.
• Develop and execute a continuous North American Supplier Audit Schedule
• Generate NCR and supplier scrap reports to suppliers as necessary.
• Help the supplier understand the severity of non-conformance for each critical characteristic.

• Develop processes towards the resolution of customer and internal product quality issues as they relate to supplied components.
• Work with the Purchasing, Manufacturing and Quality departments at all internal company facilities to share information and ideas as they relate to supplier issues.
• Develop plans & make recommendations for supplier de-sourcing
• This role has direct report(s) and will be accountable to execute on talent strategy.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Hires and trains SQE staff.
• Oversees the daily workflow and schedules of the department.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications and Experience:

Required:

• Bachelors degree (B.A./B.S.) in Engineering or equivalent work experience

• Minimum of 3 years knowledge of manufacturing/assembly processes.
• Sound working knowledge of APQP tools (PPAP/FMEA/Control plans, etc.)
• Working knowledge of manufacturing systems, especially as they relate to machining, assembly, and foundry.
• Highly motivated team player with excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Project management experience
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/14001, 8D reports, Root Cause Analysis, Data Driven Problem Solving and Auditing
• Must be willing to travel domestically for supplier visits

Preferred:

• Minimum of 10 years knowledge of companies products and applications, preferred.
• Six Sigma training preferred