Director, Global Supplier Quality

The Director of Global Supplier Quality is a senior leadership role responsible for building and driving the company's global supplier quality strategy to support rapid growth, technology expansion, and scalability. This leader oversees supplier development, supplier engineering, external manufacturing quality, and NPI supplier readiness, ensuring suppliers consistently meet the company's quality, reliability, and delivery expectations.

The role will define global standards, strengthen supplier capability, lead supplier risk management, and drive continuous improvement using a robust supplier scorecard, governance mechanisms, and performance improvement frameworks. Preferred candidates will have deep experience in electronics manufacturing, EMS environments, and supplier engineering leadership.

1. Global Supplier Quality Strategy & Governance
   • Develop and execute the global supplier quality strategy in support of company growth initiatives, product roadmap expansion, and supply chain complexity.
   • Establish supplier quality standards, performance metrics, and governance frameworks.
   • Lead global Supplier Quality Council/Review structures with cross-functional stakeholders (Procurement, Operations, R&D, NPI).
   • Identify strategic supplier quality risks and drive global mitigation plans.
2. Supplier Development & Capability Building
   • Lead supplier development programs to elevate capability, process robustness, reliability performance, and operational excellence.
   • Implement standardized assessments, readiness evaluations, and maturity models across key suppliers.
   • Deploy continuous improvement programs (SPC, Six Sigma, PFMEA, PPAP/APQP where applicable).
   • Partner with Procurement to influence supplier selection, onboarding, and long-term capability building.
3. Supplier Engineering Leadership
   • Oversee global Supplier Engineering teams responsible for component qualification, process validation, and Design for Manufacturability & Assembly (DFM/DFA) at suppliers.
   • Strengthen supplier quality engineering rigor across key domains (PCBA, plastics, metals, cables, packaging, modules, sub-assemblies).
   • Ensure robust change management: PCN/ECN implementation, golden sample controls, and process change qualification.
4. External Manufacturing (EMS) & Outsourcing Quality
   • Lead quality oversight for EMS partners, ODMs, JDMs, and strategic contract manufacturers.
   • Drive corrective action effectiveness and ensure closure of systemic supplier issues.
   • Implement governance for outsourced operations to ensure consistency, compliance, and alignment to company standards.
5. NPI Development Support
   • Ensure supplier readiness for NPI builds, from EVT to MP.
   • Lead supplier participation in NPI phases: DFM/DFA reviews, qualification plans, golden sample validation, line readiness audits, and ramp-up quality controls.
   • Coordinate with R&D, NPI Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure early supplier engagement and manufacturability alignment.
   • Own the global supplier scorecard process, covering quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost, capacity, and risk.
   • Drive quarterly supplier business reviews (QBRs) with key suppliers and executive stakeholders.
   • Rank suppliers based on performance and risk profile; work with Procurement on sourcing strategies, dual-sourcing, and supplier transitions where necessary.
   • Lead and develop a high-performing global team across Supplier Quality, Supplier Engineering, and EMS/outsourcing quality functions.
   • Establish clear roles, metrics, and development plans to grow organizational capability.
   • Foster strong collaboration with Procurement, Operations, R&D, NPI, and Manufacturing Quality.

May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Works in a standard office environment and uses office equipment (telephone, PC, copier, fax machine, etc.). Travel required approximately 25% of time both domestic and international.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to set and drive long-term goals and objectives
• An active leader who earns trust, inspires his/her team, builds collaborative relationships, and leads by example
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities to address and resolve issues that face a growing enterprise
• Strong Communications Skills, both Oral and Written, and be able to participate and/or lead meetings
• Demonstrated leadership skills including the ability to advocate for, coach, and mentor staff
• Strong ability to influence all levels of management and employees to educate, garner buy-in and ultimately gain approval to move initiatives forward
• Superior communicator including interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills; proficient with risk communications and media relations

• 12-15+ years of Supplier Quality or Supplier Engineering experience, with multi-site global operations exposure.
• Proven leadership in supplier development, supplier quality engineering, or external manufacturing quality.
• Strong knowledge of electronics manufacturing processes, PCBA, modules, or EMS/ODM manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading supplier audits, PPAP/APQP processes, and supplier improvement initiatives.
• Strong capability in data-driven analysis, risk management, and structured problem solving.
• Executive communication and influence skills across regions and cross-functional teams.
• Solid background in electronics manufacturing or EMS/ODM supplier engineering.
• Experience with high-volume manufacturing and supply chain scaling.
• Understanding of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or similar standards.
• Six Sigma certification or strong CI methodology experience.
• Experience managing global teams and suppliers across Asia.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical field.