Director of Quality Engineering

Our client is a rapidly growing North American manufacturer of highly engineered products and advanced systems serving mission-critical commercial and industrial applications.

As the organization continues to expand its U.S. manufacturing operations and supplier network, we are seeking an experienced Director, Supplier Quality Engineering to lead and advance the supplier quality function.

Position Overview

The Director, Supplier Quality Engineering will establish and lead the organization’s supplier quality strategy, processes, performance standards, and supplier development initiatives.

This individual will lead and develop the Supplier Quality Engineering organization, establishing the governance, metrics, processes, and escalation mechanisms needed to ensure supplier performance, protect manufacturing operations, and support continued business growth.

The Director will oversee supplier qualification and approval, supplier performance management, supplier development, corrective action, supplier risk management, quality systems, new product introduction, and supplier readiness.

Working closely with Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and external suppliers, this leader will ensure supplier capabilities align with the organization’s quality, technical, manufacturing, and operational requirements.

The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with strong technical expertise and the ability to build scalable supplier quality systems within a fast-growing, highly engineered manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive supplier quality strategy aligned with business, operational, and manufacturing objectives.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Supplier Quality Engineering organization.
• Establish organizational structure, responsibilities, performance expectations, technical standards, and escalation protocols.
• Build scalable supplier quality processes and governance to support increasing production volumes, new products, new suppliers, and organizational growth.
• Establish standardized supplier quality methodologies, tools, procedures, and performance expectations.
• Develop team capabilities in supplier development, problem-solving, root cause analysis, auditing, manufacturing processes, and risk management.
• Promote a culture of accountability, prevention, technical excellence, urgency, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the senior leadership authority for supplier quality matters and critical supplier escalations.

Supplier Quality Performance & Governance

• Own supplier quality performance and establish supplier quality metrics, KPIs, scorecards, dashboards, and governance processes.
• Establish performance standards for supplier PPM, defects, line disruptions, repeat issues, corrective action responsiveness, cost of poor quality, and other key quality indicators.
• Analyze supplier performance trends and identify systemic risks and improvement opportunities across the supply base.
• Establish supplier performance review and escalation processes in partnership with Strategic Sourcing and Procurement.
• Lead executive-level quality reviews for strategic, high-risk, and underperforming suppliers.
• Drive measurable improvements in supplier quality, reliability, responsiveness, and manufacturing performance.
• Provide senior leadership with clear visibility into supplier quality performance, trends, and emerging risks.

Supplier Qualification & Lifecycle Management

• Establish and oversee supplier quality qualification and approval processes for new and existing suppliers.
• Define supplier quality requirements based on product complexity, manufacturing processes, business risk, and supplier capability.
• Ensure appropriate supplier assessments, audits, process reviews, capability evaluations, and quality planning activities are completed prior to approval.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing, Engineering, and Operations during supplier selection and sourcing decisions.
• Establish ongoing supplier monitoring and requalification requirements based on performance and risk.
• Ensure supplier quality requirements are incorporated throughout the supplier lifecycle.

Supplier Risk Management & Production Protection

• Establish a supplier quality risk management framework for identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating supplier-related risks.
• Ensure effective processes are in place to protect manufacturing operations from supplier-related quality disruptions.
• Lead executive-level response and escalation for critical supplier quality events affecting production, customers, product launches, or business continuity.
• Ensure appropriate containment, controlled shipping, recovery, and mitigation strategies are implemented for significant supplier issues.
• Develop supplier recovery strategies in partnership with Operations, Engineering, Strategic Sourcing, and Procurement.
• Identify emerging and systemic supplier risks and proactively implement mitigation plans.

Corrective Action & Continuous Improvement

• Establish standards and governance for supplier non-conformance, corrective action, and preventive action processes.
• Ensure supplier corrective actions identify true root causes and result in effective, sustainable solutions.
• Establish expectations for corrective action quality, responsiveness, escalation, validation, and closure.
• Ensure appropriate use of structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, 5-Why, Root Cause Analysis, and CAPA.
• Identify systemic, recurring, and chronic supplier quality issues and drive permanent resolution.
• Drive continuous improvement of supplier quality processes, systems, and supplier capabilities.

Supplier Development

• Develop and execute supplier development strategies focused on improving manufacturing capabilities, quality systems, process controls, and overall supplier performance.
• Prioritize supplier development activities based on business impact, supplier performance, strategic importance, and risk.
• Partner directly with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes, quality systems, process capability, and problem-solving effectiveness.
• Establish structured improvement plans for strategic or underperforming suppliers.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing to incorporate supplier quality performance into supplier business reviews and sourcing strategies.
• Ensure Supplier Quality Engineers effectively drive supplier improvement initiatives and verify sustained results.

New Product Introduction & Supplier Readiness

• Establish supplier quality requirements and readiness processes supporting new product introductions, new suppliers, engineering changes, supplier transitions, and manufacturing changes.
• Ensure supplier quality is integrated early into product development and sourcing processes.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Strategic Sourcing to assess supplier technical and manufacturing readiness.
• Ensure appropriate use of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, process capability studies, and related quality planning tools.
• Identify supplier quality and manufacturing risks prior to production launch and ensure appropriate mitigation plans are implemented.

Supplier Audits, Compliance & Quality Systems

• Establish supplier audit strategies, methodologies, standards, and schedules.
• Ensure suppliers meet applicable regulatory, engineering, customer, quality system, and company-specific requirements.
• Oversee supplier quality system audits, manufacturing process audits, capability assessments, and special process evaluations.
• Establish consistent supplier quality documentation, reporting, recordkeeping, and governance requirements.
• Ensure supplier quality processes align with applicable Quality Management System and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement and standardization of supplier quality systems, procedures, tools, and governance.

Cross-Functional & Executive Leadership

• Serve as the senior supplier quality partner to Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Quality leadership.
• Ensure supplier quality considerations are incorporated into strategic sourcing decisions, product development, manufacturing planning, and supplier selection.
• Provide leadership with clear visibility into supplier quality performance, emerging risks, recovery plans, and potential business impact.
• Lead cross-functional teams during significant supplier quality issues and supplier recovery initiatives.
• Influence supplier and internal leadership to drive timely resolution of complex quality and manufacturing issues.
• Represent Supplier Quality Engineering in leadership meetings, business reviews, supplier negotiations, and strategic planning activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, Quality Engineering, or Supplier Development within a manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or a related engineering function.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing Supplier Quality Engineers and building high-performing technical teams.
• Experience developing and implementing supplier quality strategies, systems, processes, and governance.
• Significant experience managing global suppliers, contract manufacturers, and complex supply chains.
• Experience supporting highly engineered products and complex manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success improving supplier performance and reducing supplier-related quality and production disruptions.
• Extensive experience with supplier qualification, supplier development, supplier audits, performance management, non-conformance, corrective action, and supplier escalation.
• Strong knowledge of 8D, 5-Why, Root Cause Analysis, CAPA, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and process capability methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems and supplier auditing practices.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, manufacturing requirements, and technical documentation.
• Experience with ERP and Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Strong analytical, organizational, leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executives, cross-functional leaders, and senior supplier leadership.
• Ability to lead multiple strategic and operational priorities within a fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within industrial equipment, data center infrastructure, automotive, aerospace, heavy manufacturing, or another complex engineered-product environment.
• Experience building or scaling a Supplier Quality Engineering organization.
• Experience managing supplier quality across multiple manufacturing locations or geographic regions.
• Experience with global suppliers and international supply chains.
• Experience conducting supplier quality system, manufacturing process, and special process audits.
• Experience supporting rapid manufacturing growth, new facility launches, new product introductions, and supplier industrialization.
• CQE, CMQ/OE, Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, Lead Auditor, Supplier Quality Professional, or similar certification.
• Experience implementing supplier scorecards, supplier risk frameworks, and supplier development programs.
• Spanish-speaking capabilities are a plus.

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