Manager, Supplier Quality

The Supplier Quality Manager is responsible for leading the supplier quality team and ensuring supplier performance across the full product lifecycle - from new product introduction (NPI) through mass production and field warranty support. This role sets the quality expectations for all inbound material, develops the capability of the supplier base, drives systemic corrective actions, and ensures that supplier quality issues do not impact production or customers.

The Supplier Quality Manager will oversee a team of Supplier Quality Engineers (Level I, II, III) and work cross-functionally with engineering, purchasing, production, and warranty teams to support Harley-Davidson's commitment to delivering exceptional quality and craftsmanship to every rider.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Supplier Quality Engineers at varying levels of experience.
• Establish goals and performance metrics aligned to plant and corporate quality objectives.
• Build organizational capability through technical coaching, standard work, and skill development.

Supplier Quality Management:

• Set clear quality expectations for suppliers in alignment with company standards and customer requirements.
• Ensure robust APQP execution and successful PPAP submissions for all sourced components.
• Oversee supplier audits, corrective action management, and supplier development activities.

Production & Warranty Support:

• Manage incoming quality performance, ensuring effective containment and resolution of supplier issues.
• Monitor supplier KPIs (PPM, responsiveness, corrective action effectiveness) and escalate risks.
• Collaborate with warranty and engineering teams to drive root cause resolution for field issues.
• Champion closed-loop feedback from field failures back to supplier corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Plant Operations to ensure proactive risk management during sourcing and launch.
• Represent supplier quality in daily plant reviews, launch readiness meetings, and warranty deep dives.
• Support Make vs. Buy analysis and Design for Manufacturability reviews with supplier insights.

Continuous Improvement:

• Drive systemic improvements in supplier processes using problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5Why, Ishikawa).
• Lead strategic initiatives to improve supplier quality performance year-over-year.
• Analyze trends, build dashboards, and report out supplier quality performance to leadership.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a technical discipline; Master's degree preferred

• Perform other SQ-related activities as needed.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a technical discipline; Master's degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or operations
• 5+ years of leadership or team management experience
• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, GD&T, and IATF 16949 requirements
• Experience managing supplier quality issues from NPI through production and warranty phases
• Proven ability to lead supplier corrective actions, audits, and development activities
• Strong data analysis, reporting, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication, leadership presence, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to 50%)