Supplier Quality Manager

Adient•Plymouth, MI

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Manager manages external suppliers within the Southeast Region, focusing on proactive quality assurance and supplier development. This role drives the resolution of potential product safety concerns (PPSC) by analyzing and reviewing supplier problem-solving efforts and corrective action implementation. The manager also executes and supports the overall Material Quality Review (MQR) process for escalated issues, ensuring robust and sustainable solutions are implemented. The role involves auditing suppliers, ensuring compliance with customer-specific requirements (CSR) and regulations, and supporting purchasing in de-sourcing/re-sourcing and tool move projects. Key responsibilities include monitoring supplier performance, capacity, and capabilities, driving supplier development plans, and representing the company in supplier relationships. The position also supports Advanced Quality Engineers (AQE) in supplier process sign-off and run-at-rate activities, and trains suppliers on Adient's expectations and standards.

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 of allocated external suppliers.
Analyzes internal/external complaints and evaluates 8D effectiveness.
Executes auditing of allocated external suppliers by Process Audits according to VDA6.3/PA, SAS or other technical audits (e.g., 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 meetings, conducts multiple BBP audits, and tracks progress of action plan closure.
Drives a Supplier Development Plan based on supplier performance and ensures lessons learned are implemented at allocated external suppliers.
Supports Purchasing in de-sourcing/re-sourcing projects and tool move projects.
Ensures CC/SC process is running as part of ADIENT’s prevention process during supplier visits to deal and track critical parameters.
Monitors external suppliers regarding their product quality, production capacity, and manufacturing capabilities.
Understands Supplier Quality Development KPI’s and works with the team to meet and exceed them.
Supports in providing activities and KPI’s reporting to top management.
Monitors and improves critical external supplier performance based on Global Supplier Scorecard of allocated external suppliers.
Supports Advanced Quality Engineer (AQE) for Business Unit in the execution of the Supplier Process Sign Off and run at rate activities to external suppliers.
Trains suppliers of allocated external suppliers in ADIENT´s supplier expectations in alignment with the Global Supplier Standard Manual required tools and processes.
Represents the company and purchasing community in its relationships with external suppliers.