Global SQE Manager

Accountabilities

• Define, implement, and continuously improve the global supplier quality strategy in alignment with business objectives, operational priorities, and customer expectations.

• Lead the global Supplier Quality Engineering organization, developing talent, strengthening technical capabilities, and fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Manage supplier quality budgets, resources, and priorities to ensure effective allocation and alignment with organizational needs.

• Establish and maintain supplier qualification, approval, and validation processes to ensure suppliers meet quality, reliability, regulatory, and operational standards.

• Lead supplier audits, surveillance activities, capability assessments, and performance reviews to identify risks, address gaps, and drive sustainable improvements.

• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards, performance indicators, and reporting mechanisms to monitor quality, delivery, sustainability, compliance, and operational risks.

• Drive supplier corrective and preventive actions, supplier development programs, and structured problem-solving initiatives to eliminate recurring defects and prevent quality failures.

• Ensure effective implementation of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Safe Launch, and supplier validation activities, where applicable.

• Lead the escalation and resolution of critical supplier quality issues, coordinating cross-functional teams to minimize production disruptions and protect customer satisfaction.

• Promote preventive quality systems, zero-defect initiatives, and continuous improvement methodologies to reduce defects, field failures, and overall Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).

• Partner closely with Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, and Customer Quality teams to align priorities, resolve complex challenges, and strengthen supplier relationships.

• Leverage quality data, business intelligence tools, and performance analytics to identify trends, assess supplier risks, and guide strategic decision-making.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field with at least 12 years of relevant Supplier Quality Engineering experience, or a master's degree with at least 10 years of relevant experience.

• Extensive experience in supplier quality management within electronic, automotive, industrial, aerospace, medical, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.

• Proven leadership experience managing supplier quality activities across multiple sites, regions, or business units, ideally within a global organization.

• Strong expertise in supplier qualification, supplier audits, quality systems, corrective and preventive actions, supplier development, and performance management.

• Practical knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Safe Launch, supplier validation, risk assessment, and structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, resolve complex quality issues, manage escalations, and deliver measurable improvements in supplier performance.

• Strong understanding of quality-related business metrics, including defect reduction, cost of poor quality, warranty exposure, and operational risk management.

• Proficiency in ERP systems, business intelligence applications, data mining, and data analysis to support evidence-based decision-making.

• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with international stakeholders and influence decision-making across organizational boundaries.

• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and change management skills, combined with a proactive approach to problem-solving, consensus building, and continuous improvement.

• Ability to thrive in a matrixed, highly collaborative environment while balancing competing priorities across multiple markets, organizations, and manufacturing sites.

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time.

• Availability to work remotely from within Europe, with Romania as the designated location for this opportunity.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package aligned with experience and qualifications.

• Performance-based bonus plans linked to individual and organizational results.

• Health and wellness incentives to support employee well-being.

• Employee stock purchase program, providing an opportunity to participate in the company's long-term growth.

• Community outreach programs and charity events that encourage social engagement and community involvement.

• Employee Resource Groups that support inclusion, connection, and professional development.

• Remote working flexibility within Europe.

• Opportunities to lead global initiatives, collaborate with international teams, and contribute to strategic supplier quality improvements.

• A collaborative, international working environment focused on innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.