Supplier Quality Engineering Manager
About The Position
At Medtronic, we are seeking a hands-on Supplier Quality Engineering Manager to lead a critical turnaround at our Grand Rapids, MI manufacturing site. This role is designed for a proven people leader who brings energy, decisiveness, and a track record of driving results through others. The successful candidate will quickly assess gaps, stabilize supplier quality performance, and elevate the capability and effectiveness of the SQE team while building strong cross-functional partnerships. This site manufactures approximately 600 finished products within our Cardiac Surgery (CS) portfolio, including cannulae and beating heart products. Success in this role requires visible leadership, clear and effective communication, and the ability to balance near-term remediation with long-term capability building. This is not a maintenance role—it is an opportunity for a leader energized by transformation, collaboration, and measurable impact. This role is best suited for leaders who are energized by challenge and motivated by building momentum and results. Successful candidates will bring: A proven track record of leading and developing teams in fast-paced or changing environments The ability to drive results through clear direction, accountability, and follow-through Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the presence to influence across functions and with suppliers Comfort stepping into complex or ambiguous situations, quickly assessing gaps and prioritizing actions A hands-on leadership style with a passion for elevating team capability and performance Motivation to lead transformation rather than maintain the status quo. Candidates seeking a steady-state role or a first-time people management opportunity may find this position misaligned. In-person collaboration is essential to our success. This role requires a minimum of 5 days per week onsite as part of our commitment to professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Science, or technical field with 5+ years of experience in Engineering, Quality, and/or a regulated industry OR Advanced Degree in Engineering, Science, or technical field with 3+ years of experience in Engineering, Quality, and/or a regulated industry
- For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.
- Candidates must possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.
Nice To Haves
- Demonstrated people management experience, including leading teams through change and driving performance improvement
- MBA or Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, or technical field
- ASQ CQE, CQA, and/or CSQP certification
- Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
- Experience leading quality improvement plans, remediation efforts, or turnaround initiatives
- Strong communication, organizational, and project planning skills
- Proven ability to influence, negotiate, and lead change across functions and with suppliers
- Sound judgment in assessing risk and communicating complex technical challenges to senior leadership
- Strong coaching, mentoring, and talent development skills
Responsibilities
- Lead, develop, and elevate a team of Supplier Quality Engineers, setting clear expectations, driving accountability, and building a high-performing, engaged team.
- Drive supplier quality performance and improvement, ensuring delivery of quality components, materials, and services in compliance with purchasing controls.
- Lead cross-functional team in supplier-related investigations and corrective/preventive actions, including nonconformances, Supplier CAPAs, audit findings, and complaint investigations.
- Partner cross-functionally with Operations Quality, Engineering, Operations, and other stakeholders to resolve supplier-related quality or compliance issues.
- Develop and maintain monitoring systems to track supplier and team performance, including nonconformances, open actions, Supplier CAPA, supplier change management, training, and Global Supplier Quality improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with purchasing controls and regulatory requirements, including supporting internal audits, notified body audits, and FDA inspections.
- Provide active people leadership through coaching, mentoring, performance management, goal setting, regular 1:1s, and succession planning.
- Communicate clearly and effectively, translating complex technical and quality issues for leadership and cross-functional partners.
- Prioritize and execute strategic and department-level initiatives to drive both near-term results and long-term capability.
Benefits
- Health, Dental and vision insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability leave
- Dependent daycare spending account
- Tuition assistance/reimbursement
- Simple Steps (global well-being program)
- Incentive plans
- 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match
- Short-term disability
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums)
- Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
