Hybrid Supplier Quality Manager bei Millennium Print Group

Job Title: Supplier Quality Manager

Location: Raleigh, NC

Reports To: Director of Quality

Department: Quality / Supply Chain

Position Summary

We are seeking a proactive and strategic Supplier Quality Manager to lead supplier quality assurance and development initiatives across our global supply base. This role is critical to ensure that incoming materials and components meet internal and customer requirements, while establishing robust systems for supplier evaluation, onboarding, compliance, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will bring technical depth, leadership, and a passion for building resilient supplier partnerships.

This position will also be responsible for establishing a Receiving Inspection Department from the ground up, including defining processes, staffing, equipment needs, and integration with quality and supply chain systems.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Develop and implement supplier quality standards, inspection protocols, and incoming quality control procedures.
• Lead supplier audits, assessments, and qualification activities to ensure compliance with ISO/QMS and customer-specific requirements.
• Manage incoming inspection processes and ensure proper documentation of results.
• Initiate and track Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs); verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Maintain supplier quality records, scorecards, and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality issues and drive root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Support supplier onboarding and qualification from a quality perspective.

Receiving Inspection Department Setup

• Design and implement a comprehensive receiving inspection program including staffing, layout, equipment, and procedures.
• Define inspection criteria, sampling plans, and documentation standards for incoming materials.
• Integrate receiving inspection with ERP, MES, and quality systems to ensure traceability and real-time visibility.
• Train and mentor inspection personnel to ensure consistency and compliance with quality standards.

Strategic Supplier Management

• Address current gaps including lack of formal contracts, undefined return policies, and absence of out-of-warranty material handling procedures.
• Work cross-functionally to verify and align warranty terms and conditions with MPG purchasing agreements.
• Establish clear policies for managing returned and out-of-warranty materials with suppliers.

Supplier Lifecycle Framework Development

• Initial Supplier Evaluation: Legal standing, financial health, reputation, ethical sourcing, certifications, and regulatory compliance.
• Legal/Risk Setup: NDAs, contract law compliance, risk assessments, anti-bribery/corruption clauses, and master purchase agreements.
• Supplier Onboarding: Approved Supplier List (ASL), audits, documentation, and supplier manuals.
• Technical & Quality Alignment: Material specifications, inspection criteria, certifications, and supplier quality manuals.
• Commercial Alignment: Pricing, freight responsibilities, inventory strategy, and demand planning.
• Systems & Processes: EDI integration, return processes, and tax treatment.
• Ongoing Compliance & Monitoring: Certifications, audits, training, and ethics monitoring.

Continuous Improvement & Data-Driven Quality

• Utilize SPC, trend analysis, and quality metrics to monitor supplier performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Create and maintain Power BI dashboards and visual KPIs to communicate supplier quality performance.
• Drive reduction in supplier-related defects, scrap, and rework through lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Partner with engineering and operations to integrate supplier quality into product and process development.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as the primary quality liaison between internal teams and external suppliers.
• Mentor and support cross-functional teams in supplier quality best practices.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and supplier engagement.
• Collaborate with procurement, engineering, and operations to align supplier quality goals with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing, or quality engineering roles.
• Strong knowledge of supplier audits, SCARs, incoming inspection, and quality systems.
• Experience establishing or managing receiving inspection or incoming quality control departments.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Minitab).

Preferred Certifications

• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) – a plus