Director of Quality - Supplier Development

Auto req ID: 60148 
Title: Director of Quality - Supplier Development 
Job Function: Continuous Improvement and Quality 
Location: PDC
Workplace Category: Onsite 
Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company 
Full or Part-Time: Full Time 
Shift: SHIFT1 

In 1903, out of a small shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, four young men lit a cultural wildfire that would grow and spread across geographies and generations. Their innovation and imagination for what was possible on two wheels sparked a transportation revolution that would make Harley-Davidson the most recognizable motorcycle brand in the world. Today, we continue to define motorcycle culture, evoking soul-stirring emotion reflected in every product and experience we deliver - like we have for well over a century and will for generations to come. Are you ready to ride with us?

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company Product Development Center (PDC) located in Wauwatosa, WI is home to the mantra – You dream it. We build it. Join our team as a Director of Quality - Supplier Development.

Job Summary

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company is shaping the next generation of legendary motorcycles and rider experiences. Quality is foundational in everything we do. We are looking for bold leaders ready to join the ride and help us shape the future.

The Director of Supplier Development Quality leads one of four foundational groups within the Quality Organization:

1) Product Quality

2) Supplier Development Quality

3) Supplier Product Quality

4) Manufacturing Quality

The position is responsible for establishing and executing Harley-Davidson's global supplier development quality strategy across Original Equipment Motorcycle (OE) and Parts & Accessories (P&A) products. This role leads a global organization focused on ensuring product requirements are translated into capable supplier manufacturing processes through effective APQP, PPAP, risk management, supplier audits, and production readiness activities. The Director is accountable for reducing launch risk, improving supplier capability, enhancing customer quality, and enabling world-class product reliability through proactive supplier engagement and process control. Beyond the Quality organization, this position collaborates closely with Global Supply Chain, Engineering, Service, Advanced Manufacturing, Manufacturing Operations, and Dealer & Customer Operations.

Job Responsibilities

The Director of Supplier Development Quality is responsible for developing, leading, and managing the performance of a global organization of teams / individuals to: 

• Drive Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) supplier activities while increasing supplier knowledge and accountability to H-D’s Product Development Process (PDP).
• Confirm engineering design readiness by ensuring production quality requirements are clearly and robustly defined through DFMEA, Product Requirement Documents (PRDs), design drawings, and associated validation activities.
• Reduce product development rework and ensure successful product launches by developing and validating supplier manufacturing production process and control readiness (e.g., DFMEA to PFMEA connectivity, Control Plans, Gaging, etc.).
• Improve supplier quality performance (e.g., PPM) through risk assessment, capability development, and continuous improvement of manufacturing controls
• Proactively identify risks and assist with the resolution of launch readiness risks and current production quality spills through the execution of supplier VDA, SSE, & escalated control plans
• Measurably improve product quality and organizational performance by establishing, tracking, and driving progress against the metrics that matter most.
• Build confidence and improve the health of H-D’s supply base by influencing supplier selection with data-driven Quality assessments

Education Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent Required

Education Specifications

Bachelor’s Degree - preference for degrees and experience related to Product Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, & Quality

Experience Requirements

This position typically requires a minimum of 12 years related experience and 5 years of management experience. In addition, the successful candidate will have demonstrated the following:\

• Strong leadership, analytical, communication, interpersonal, and technical skills with the ability to build and develop a high-performing global organization through coaching, succession planning, talent development, and performance management
• Passion and presence to drive a culture of Quality, representing the voice of Quality at all leadership levels and throughout the product development lifecycle
• Technical expertise in multiple manufacturing processes & related tooling / fixture design including casting; injection molding; machining & stamping; welding & forging; painting, coatings & cosmetics; electronics & harnesses; and software
• Direct experience with driving Quality teams to achieve aggressive business-wide quality goals inclusive of Total Cost of Quality, Repairs Per Hundred (RPH), Cost Per Unit (CPU), and Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI)
• Application and execution expertise in PPAP, particularly DFMEA, PFMEA, PFD, Control Plans, SPC and gaging methods
• Practical experience with Design for Manufacture (DFM) & Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Practical experience with supplier evaluation and selection
• General knowledge of motorcycles and engineering/manufacturing standards

Additional preferences:

• VDA certification

The pay range shown represents the national average pay range for this role. Your pay may be more or less than the stated range and is dependent on your geographic location and level of experience.

We offer an inclusive compensation package for all full-time salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, health insurance benefits, a 401k program, onsite fitness centers and employee stores, employee discounts on products and accessories, and more. Learn more about Harley-Davidson here . 

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Direct Reports: Yes
Travel Required: 25 - 50%
Pay Range: $169,000 - $253,600 
Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer
Relocation: This position is eligible for domestic relocation assistance (within posted country)