Senior Manager - Supplier Quality

S&C Electric Company•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

As an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. S&C has more than a 100-year history of innovation and has been 100% employee-owned since 2012. We continue this legacy as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the electrical industry. You will advance a safer, more reliable, and more resilient electrical grid. Our products help the grid adapt to severe weather and transition to clean energy. We’re big enough to be a respected industry leader but small enough for you to impact our company directly. Our commitment gives you opportunities to impact on and off the job positively. Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee-owner.

Requirements

12+ years of progressively responsible experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, or related manufacturing quality roles.
5+ years in leadership or senior management roles overseeing global suppliers and multi-site operations.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
Deep expertise in advanced quality tools and methodologies, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, 8D, and root-cause/containment fundamentals.
Strong understanding of manufacturing process controls, capability studies, product validation, and statistical quality management.
Ability to assess supplier technical capability and process maturity through detailed audits and data-driven evaluation.
Experience developing and deploying supplier quality strategies to ensure robust selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance monitoring.
Proven ability to drive corrective action and continuous improvement using structured problem-solving techniques.
Hands-on experience establishing supplier scorecards, performance targets, and escalation management processes.
Strong capability in managing supplier risk, including process risk assessments, qualification reviews, and proactive risk mitigation planning.
Demonstrated experience improving cost, quality, and delivery through Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
Expertise in quality system requirements such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or industry-specific standards.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.
Experience in a large (2+ billion-dollar revenue) B2B manufacturing company.
Proven ability to lead and develop a global Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) team, setting strategic direction, driving accountability, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Strong executive presence with the capability to influence cross‑functional leaders in engineering, operations, procurement, and manufacturing.
Demonstrated track record of managing complex supplier ecosystems and driving measurable improvements in quality performance.
Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt Certified.
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) / Certified Manager of Quality (CMQ).
ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.

Responsibilities

Formulate and implement a comprehensive operational strategy to drive continuous quality improvement initiatives within the supplier quality function.
Lead a team that conducts comprehensive audits and supplier qualification processes, ensuring compliance with quality standards and the prevention of defective component shipments from the supplier to S&C.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess supplier capabilities and align with company requirements.
Take ownership of reducing the cost of poor quality (COPQ) by analyzing trends in supplier-reported issues, identifying root causes, and implementing preventative measures to ensure continuous improvement in product quality.
Oversee the PPAP process to validate supplier-provided components meet specified requirements. Ensure that documentation, testing, and approvals are conducted thoroughly and accurately.
Perform supplier risk analysis by evaluating historical performance, process controls, and financial stability. Develop and execute mitigation strategies to minimize potential supply chain disruptions.
Lead the resolution of supplier-related quality issues through effective corrective action processes. Establish clear accountability frameworks to ensure sustained improvements and proactive prevention of non-conforming/defective components before receiving them.
Serve as a subject matter expert in Supplier Quality, staying abreast of industry best practices, standards, and technological advancements and ensuring the greater quality function is well-versed in the latest quality methodologies and tools, facilitating a high level of technical proficiency.
Analyze quality feedback and metrics to identify trends and improvement opportunities. Set team targets for various KPIs and collaborate with production groups to recommend quality targets. Implement a data-driven decision-making process to enhance overall product quality and operational efficiency.
Manage the meticulous documentation of quality processes, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and internal and external compliance requirements. Provide strategic guidance for regular review and updates, incorporating changes in processes, standards, and best practices to maintain a compliant and dynamic quality management system.
Provide strong leadership and direction to managers and senior contributors, setting clear performance expectations, and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. Conduct regular performance assessments, provide constructive feedback, and facilitate career development opportunities to support individual growth and organizational succession planning.
Provide thought leadership and best-practice direction to the quality assurance team, ensuring the execution of quality goals that contribute towards the larger goals of S&C.
Understand and comply with all applicable content standards, brand guidelines, company policies, and rules.