Supplier Quality Manager

Adient•Plymouth, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Manager manages external suppliers within the Southeast Region, focusing on controlling allocated external supplier development and proactive quality assurance activities. This role drives the Potential Product Safety Concern (PPSC) process for allocated suppliers, ensuring thorough analysis and review of problem-solving and corrective action implementation with the Plant Quality Manager/Supplier Quality Engineer for robust and sustainable solutions. The position also executes and supports the overall MQR process for escalation level 2, ensuring 8D analysis and corrective action implementation. The Supplier Quality Manager's analysis contributes to internal/external complaints and the evaluation of 8D effectiveness. This role involves auditing allocated external suppliers using Process Audits (VDA 6.3/PA, SAS) or other technical audits (CQI, BBP, Technical Assessment) to ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements (CSR) and current regulations. The manager supports managing supplier crises, schedules High Impact Supplier (HIS) kick-off meetings, conducts multiple BBP audits, and tracks action plan closure progress. A key responsibility is driving a Supplier Development Plan based on supplier performance and implementing lessons learned. The role supports Purchasing in de-sourcing/re-sourcing and tool move projects, ensuring critical parameters are managed through the CC/SC process during supplier visits. The manager monitors external suppliers' product quality, production capacity, and manufacturing capabilities, understanding and working to meet Supplier Quality Development KPIs. Support is provided to top management through activities and KPI reporting. Performance of critical external suppliers is monitored and improved based on the Global Supplier Scorecard. The role assists the Advanced Quality Engineer (AQE) with Supplier Process Sign Off and run-at-rate activities. Training suppliers on Adient's expectations, tools, and processes, aligned with the Global Supplier Standard Manual, is also a responsibility. The Supplier Quality Manager represents the company and purchasing community in supplier relationships.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
Minimum of 8 years working experience in Quality Ops or dealing with suppliers.
Experience in Adient supplier-related systems/tools (i.e. Scorecard, Power BI, IRIS, etc).
Experience in data analysis.
Experience in AIAG core tools: APQP and Control Plan, PFMEA, PPAP, MSA and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
Knowledge of statistical concepts, problem solving methodology, GD&T, SPSO, CQI, etc.
Trained in VDA 6.3 and/or IATF 16949.
Ability to work with and drive cross-functional teams.
Strong English oral and written communication skills and ability to correspond with suppliers in meetings and in correspondence.
Strong skills to work in a self-directed environment.
Ability to take full responsibility for decisions & results even when all elements are not under individual direct control.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Strong attention to detail, planning/organization skills and follow up.
Strategic and flexible mindset.

Responsibilities

Manages external suppliers within the Southeast Region.
Controls allocated external supplier development and proactive quality assurance activities.
Drives Supplier PPSC (Potential Product Safety Concern) of allocated external suppliers, ensuring analysis for closure and reviewing problem-solving analysis and corrective action implementation.
Executes and supports the overall MQR process for escalation level 2 for allocated external suppliers.
Analyzes internal/external complaints and evaluates 8D effectiveness.
Executes auditing of allocated external suppliers by Process Audits (VDA 6.3/PA, SAS) or other technical audits (CQI, BBP, Technical Assessment).
Ensures compliance with CSR (customer specific requirements) and current valid regulations.
Supports in managing supplier crisis of identified allocated external suppliers.
Schedules HIS (High Impact Supplier) kick off meeting, conducts multiple BBP audits and tracks progress of action plan closure.
Drives a Supplier Development Plan based on Supplier performance.
Supports Purchasing in de-sourcing/re-sourcing projects and tool move projects.
Ensures CC/SC process is running during supplier visits as part of ADIENT’s prevention process.
Monitors external suppliers regarding their product quality, production capacity and manufacturing capabilities.
Understands Supplier Quality Development KPI’s and works with team to meet and exceed.
Supports in providing activities and KPI’s reporting to the top management.
Monitors and improves critical external supplier performance based on Global Supplier Scorecard.
Supports to Advanced Quality Engineer (AQE) for Business Unit in the execution of the Supplier Process Sign Off and run at rate activities.
Trains suppliers of allocated external suppliers in ADIENT´s supplier expectations.
Represents the company and purchasing community in its relationships with external suppliers.