Supplier Quality Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of Proper Voltage's proactive supplier quality function across mechanical, electrical, packaging, and cell suppliers.

• Develop and implement supplier qualification processes, including PPAP, first article inspection, and qualification criteria.

• Create and manage APQP programs for the introduction of new products.

• Conduct supplier audits and ensure corrective actions are tracked to completion.

• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards while leading supplier development initiatives.

• Oversee high-severity or recurring supplier quality investigations and their corrective measures.

• Manage cell supplier quality, addressing quality issues, process changes, and lot-level release recommendations.

• Establish standards and a review schedule for incoming inspections, first article inspections, and line quality escalations.

• Collaborate with engineering, sourcing, and the quality organization of the contract manufacturer.

• Supervise and mentor the Supplier Quality Engineer, building up the supplier quality function.

• Contribute to supply base strategy and plan for future personnel growth.

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years in supplier quality, quality engineering, or a combined quality and manufacturing role with direct responsibility for supplier development.

• Background in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience.

• Required time spent on factory floors.

• Proven experience in developing or scaling supplier quality programs from inception.

• Hands-on experience in creating and managing PPAP, APQP, supplier audit programs, scorecards, and supplier development projects.

• Practical experience using SPC, DMAIC, control plans, process capability studies, and root cause analysis to address real supplier issues.

• Experience managing supplier quality relationships within a contract manufacturing model with directly sourced components.

• Direct experience in people management and the ability to coach an SQE while expanding the function.

• Comfortable in building tools, templates, systems, and processes in a startup environment.

• Preferred: Experience in battery, energy storage, power electronics, or related hardware fields.

• Preferred: Experience with cell supplier quality and engagement with lithium-ion, sodium-ion, or other battery chemistry suppliers.

• Preferred: ASQ certifications such as CQE, CSSBB, or CMQ/OE, or similar formal quality credentials.

• Preferred: Experience in Asia supplier development with on-site engagement.

• Preferred: Experience in early-stage startups, developing quality functions from the ground up.

• Preferred: Background in automotive, aerospace, or medical devices.

• Must be eligible to work without visa sponsorship.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equity opportunities.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Flexible paid time off (PTO).

• Generous holiday policy.

• Fully remote work option for the right candidate.

• Regular travel to contract manufacturers and occasional travel to suppliers in the U.S. and Asia.