Supplier Quality Manager

Company Overview
ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI, computer vision, precision motion, and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land, air, and maritime environments.

Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter-drone systems - giving warfighters a scalable, cost-effective response to one of the fastest-growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces, and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community.

Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation, ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing, accelerating Bullfrog deployments, and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven, fast-moving team and help scale technology with direct, real-world impact on national security.

ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional operations in Alexandria, Virginia; Mountain View, California; and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, visit allencontrolsystems.com.

About the Role

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is seeking a Supplier Quality Manager to lead supplier quality, development, and performance as we scale our manufacturing operations. This role will be responsible for ensuring that purchased materials, components, and assemblies consistently meet ACS quality, engineering, and production requirements.

The Supplier Quality Manager will work closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering to establish supplier quality standards, qualify and develop suppliers, resolve quality issues, and reduce risk throughout the supply base.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, building processes from the ground up, and working directly with suppliers to solve complex manufacturing and quality challenges.

What You'll Do
Supplier Quality Leadership

• Own and continuously improve the supplier quality program across the organization.
• Establish supplier quality standards, processes, metrics, and expectations aligned with company and customer requirements.
• Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, approval, and ongoing performance management.
• Develop supplier quality strategies that support rapid production growth, new product introduction, and supply chain scalability.
• Partner with Supply Chain leadership to identify and mitigate supplier quality and production risks.
• Establish clear supplier escalation processes and drive accountability for quality performance.

Supplier Development & Performance

• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards measuring quality, delivery, responsiveness, corrective actions, and overall performance.
• Conduct supplier audits, assessments, and on-site evaluations to determine manufacturing capability and quality system effectiveness.
• Work directly with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes, inspection methods, documentation, and quality controls.
• Identify high-risk or underperforming suppliers and develop structured improvement plans.
• Support supplier selection and sourcing decisions by evaluating quality systems, technical capabilities, capacity, and production readiness.
• Build strong relationships with strategic suppliers while maintaining clear quality and performance expectations.

Quality & Corrective Action

• Lead investigations and resolution of supplier-related nonconformances and quality escapes.
• Drive structured root cause analysis and corrective action using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and CAPA .
• Manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and ensure corrective actions are implemented effectively and closed on time.
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams to implement containment actions when quality issues threaten production.
• Analyze supplier defect and nonconformance trends to proactively identify systemic risks.
• Drive reductions in supplier defects, rework, scrap, and production disruptions.

Production & New Product Introduction

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain during new product introduction and production ramp.
• Ensure suppliers are prepared to meet increasing production volumes without compromising quality.
• Review drawings, specifications, inspection requirements, and manufacturing processes with suppliers.
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) and production qualification activities.
• Establish appropriate incoming inspection strategies based on supplier performance and component risk.
• Participate in design and manufacturability reviews to identify potential supplier quality risks early in the product lifecycle.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Support and maintain supplier quality processes consistent with AS9100 and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Ensure supplier documentation, inspection records, certifications, and traceability requirements are maintained appropriately.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits related to supplier quality.
• Develop and maintain supplier quality procedures, work instructions, and documentation.
• Ensure suppliers understand and comply with applicable engineering specifications, contractual requirements, and quality standards.

Team & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary point of contact for significant supplier quality issues.
• Partner closely with Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality teams to resolve supplier-related challenges.
• Communicate supplier quality risks, trends, and corrective action status to leadership.
• Develop scalable supplier quality processes and tools as ACS continues to grow.
• Help build and mentor the supplier quality function as organizational needs expand.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 7+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of leadership or team management experience preferred.
• Experience working in a complex hardware manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of supplier quality management, supplier audits, corrective actions, and root cause analysis.
• Experience with AS9100, ISO 9001, or similar quality management systems.
• Experience with FAI/AS9102, PPAP, APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and inspection planning preferred.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, manufacturing processes, and inspection techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to lead supplier corrective actions and drive measurable improvements in supplier performance.
• Experience developing supplier scorecards, KPIs, and performance reporting.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment where processes and priorities continue to evolve.
• Willingness to travel to supplier locations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other highly regulated hardware manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting low-volume/high-mix manufacturing transitioning into higher-rate production.
• Experience developing or scaling a supplier quality organization.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP and Quality Management Systems.
• ASQ certifications such as CQE, CQA, or CMQ/OE are a plus.
• Experience working with machined components, fabricated assemblies, electronics, electromechanical systems, or contract manufacturers.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• ACS Equity Package
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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