Description
As part of Neptunes commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, we are adding a Supplier Quality Manager to the Quality organization. This role owns the quality of incoming materials and components across the supply base - qualifying suppliers, driving supplier corrective action and performance improvement, and protecting production lines from defective purchased parts.
This is its own standalone function within Quality, working closely with Procurement/Sourcing, Engineering, and site QC Managers on supplier qualification, incoming quality, and corrective action decisions.
Responsibilities
- Own the supplier quality program across mechanical and electrical commodity categories.
- Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, and PPAP/FAI approval for new and changed components.
- Plan and execute supplier audits: ISO compliance, process capability, and on-site assessments.
- Manage the Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR) process from issuance through closure verification.
- Monitor supplier performance metrics (PPM, on-time quality) and drive improvement programs.
- Manage incoming quality hold, MRB, and disposition decisions with site QC Managers.
- Provide supplier quality input during NPI, sourcing, and material specification development.
- Develop and maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL) in partnership with procurement.
- Drive supplier process control, change notification compliance, and risk mitigation.
- Lead cost-of-poor-quality recovery and supplier accountability for nonconforming material.
Requirements
- Bachelors degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
- 3+ years experience in supplier quality, quality engineering, or a supplier-facing technical role within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing supplier qualification, audits, and corrective action processes.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with comfort leading supplier audits, SCAR reviews, and supplier performance reviews on-site or virtually.
- Sound, defensible judgment in MRB and material disposition decisions.
- Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to respectfully engage and influence suppliers and internal partners across Procurement, Engineering, and Operations.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and processes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in the water metering, utility, or electronics manufacturing industry.
- Familiarity with PPAP/FAI approval processes and ISO-based supplier audit methodology.
- Working knowledge of root-cause analysis and corrective action (CAR/CAPA) processes.
- Proficiency with quality/supplier tracking systems (e.g., Jira, Windchill, or equivalent QMS/SRM tools).
- Highly motivated, hands-on, and able to work with minimal supervision.
Travel Requirements and Work Environment
- Typically requires overnight travel 20% - 50% of the time.
- This role is work office based. Flexible and/or remote working options may be considered and are reviewed/approved by management.
- Periodic travel to RoperMex and key supplier sites required.