Supplier Quality Manager

Now Hiring: Supplier Quality Manager for NAPA Auto Parts LOCATION- Atlanta, GA (Cumberland/Vinings)- 4 days in office / 1 day remote NAPA , a trusted Fortune 200 industry leader with over 100 years of innovation and operational excellence, continues to set the standard in the automotive aftermarket through its commitment to product quality, supplier performance, and customer satisfaction. The Supplier Quality Manager is a critical leader within NAPA's Product Engineering, Quality & Compliance organization, responsible for driving supplier quality performance, reducing warranty costs, and advancing continuous improvement initiatives across a global supplier network. This role serves as a key liaison between suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment on quality standards, product performance, and customer expectations. This highly visible leadership position offers the opportunity to significantly influence NAPA's product quality performance, supplier development efforts, warranty reduction initiatives, and long‑term quality strategy. As NAPA continues to evolve and strengthen its Supplier Quality organization, this role will play a key leadership role in building and transforming the function for the future. The Supplier Quality Manager will be responsible not only for driving current supplier quality performance, but also for evaluating existing processes, systems, resources, and organizational capabilities to identify opportunities for improvement and long‑term scalability. This leader will help shape the future vision of the function by developing new processes, implementing best practices, and advocating for the resources necessary to support NAPA's continued growth and quality objectives.

CLIENT OVERVIEW

NAPA Auto Parts distributes automotive replacement parts, accessories, and service items throughout the U.S. More than 800,000 parts are sold under the NAPA brand, as well as Key National Brands. NAPA is widely recognized for quality parts, service, and knowledgeable people, with 20,000+ employees throughout the United States. Its stores and distribution centers sell to both the retail and commercial automotive aftermarket customers covering all domestic and foreign motor vehicle models. NAPA is a leading automotive aftermarket distributor and a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) , a $23.5B global distribution leader known for its financial strength, operational excellence, and long‑term growth. GPC recently announced plans to separate its Automotive and Industrial businesses into two independent public companies by 2027, with NAPA becoming the standalone Automotive platform. This strategic separation will enable sharper focus, increased agility, and targeted investment within each business, positioning NAPA to accelerate growth and innovation across the automotive aftermarket. NAPA’s culture is strengthened by a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The goal is to create a culture where they value, respect, and provide fair treatment and equal opportunities for all employees.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Supplier Quality Manager plays a critical role in ensuring supplier quality excellence and continuous improvement across NAPA's global supplier network. This leader will oversee both "upstream" supplier quality initiatives and "downstream" field quality activities, requiring expertise in supplier quality systems, manufacturing processes, warranty analysis, and customer complaint resolution. Specific functions and responsibilities include: Lead NAPA's Supplier Quality Assurance function, ensuring suppliers consistently meet quality standards, customer expectations, and performance objectives Develop and execute supplier quality strategies, policies, processes, and performance metrics that support business goals and improve supplier performance Own supplier development initiatives and supplier performance management, including establishing supplier KPIs, monitoring quality performance, and driving accountability throughout the supply base Lead root cause investigations and corrective action activities for supplier quality issues, including supplier visits, validation of corrective actions, and prevention of recurring failures Manage warranty and CILOW (Credit in Lieu of Warranty) programs, including warranty performance metrics, defect reduction initiatives, cost improvement opportunities, and overall program effectiveness Drive continuous improvement efforts throughout the supplier network utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, FMEA, Poka‑Yoke, Measurement System Analysis, and other quality methodologies Support supplier qualification activities, supplier audits, and new product launches in partnership with Engineering, Purchasing, and Global Sourcing teams Serve as the primary cross‑functional leader for supplier quality concerns, partnering with Engineering, Global Sourcing, Purchasing, Sales, Customer Service, and suppliers to resolve quality issues and reduce quality‑related costs

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking a technically strong Supplier Quality leader with a proven track record of improving product quality, supplier performance, and warranty outcomes. The ideal candidate will bring a unique blend of supplier quality expertise, analytical problem‑solving capability, supplier development experience, and customer‑focused leadership. 5+ years of experience leading Supplier Quality, Quality Assurance, Supplier Development, or Manufacturing Quality functions Experience leading both supplier/manufacturing quality ("upstream") and post‑sale quality initiatives ("downstream"), including warranty, field quality, customer complaints, and product performance Experience managing warranty and CILOW (Credit in Lieu of Warranty) programs and driving measurable improvements in product quality and warranty performance Strong knowledge of supplier quality systems, corrective actions, supplier development, and supplier performance management Expertise in structured problem‑solving and root cause analysis methodologies Strong understanding of automotive systems, manufacturing processes, and quality systems Experience evaluating and improving supplier quality systems and manufacturing processes Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, FMEA, MSA, PPAP, and continuous improvement methodologies Ability to analyze imperfect quality data, identify trends, and implement solutions that drive measurable results Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder management skills Experience working with global suppliers and international manufacturing partners preferred Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and related business systems

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will be a highly analytical, resilient, and influential leader capable of navigating complex quality challenges while building strong relationships across suppliers and internal stakeholders. This role requires a unique combination of technical expertise, business acumen, emotional intelligence, and leadership presence. We seek a collaborative, solutions‑oriented professional who is driven to succeed. This candidate should be a good fit into NAPA’s corporate culture by possessing good judgment, humility, honesty, and a strong "roll up your sleeves" work ethic. Personal characteristics should include: Calm and composed under pressure with the ability to manage difficult quality situations professionally Highly accountable and willing to take ownership of issues through resolution Analytical and data‑driven with strong problem‑solving capabilities Curious and adaptable with the ability to quickly learn new products, systems, and processes Influential without direct authority and capable of driving supplier accountability Collaborative and effective in cross‑functional environments Customer‑focused with an understanding of how quality impacts the end user experience Organized, self‑directed, and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously Comfortable challenging assumptions and driving continuous improvement initiatives Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence suppliers, engineers, sourcing teams, executives, and customers while fostering collaborative relationships Entrepreneurial and forward‑thinking leader who thrives in building and transforming functions, creating structure where needed, and developing practical solutions that balance immediate business needs with long‑term organizational goals

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree required in Engineering or related technical discipline

COMPENSATION

NAPA offers an attractive compensation package that includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience and bonus based upon individual performance and corporate results #J-18808-Ljbffr NAPA Auto Parts