Supplier Quality Manager

Komatsu; Longview (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Supplier Quality Manager, where you will lead a team to ensure supplier excellence and compliance with quality standards. In this pivotal role, you will drive continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance processes and reduce defects. Your expertise in quality management systems and leadership will be crucial in maintaining high-quality incoming materials and supplier performance. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Supplier Quality or Quality Engineering required.
• Proven experience in supplier development and audit management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Supplier Quality Engineers for excellence.
• Oversee Receiving Inspection to ensure quality materials.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Process Improvement

Supplier Management

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Associate degree in a technical field

Tools

Lean

Six Sigma

FMEA

PPAP

APQP

Job description

Komatsu is an indispensable partner to the construction, mining, forestry, forklift, and industrial machinery markets, maximizing value for customers through innovative solutions. With a diverse line of products supported by our advanced IoT technologies, regional distribution channels, and a global service network, we tap into the power of data and technology to enhance safety and productivity while optimizing performance. Komatsu supports a myriad of markets, including housing, infrastructure, water, pipeline, minerals, automobile, aerospace, electronics and medical, through its many brands and subsidiaries, including TimberPro, Joy, P&H, Montabert, Modular Mining Systems, Hensley Industries, NTC, and Gigaphoton.

Job Overview

We are seeking a Supplier Quality Manager to oversee supplier quality management, ensuring compliance with quality standards and driving continuous improvement across the supply chain. This role will lead a team of Senior Supplier Quality Engineers and oversee Receiving Inspection processes to maintain high-quality incoming materials and supplier performance. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, problem-solving, and process improvement skills.

Key Job Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Management and Development

• Lead and mentor a team of Supplier Quality Engineers to drive supplier excellence.
• Develop and implement supplier quality strategies to reduce defects, improve reliability, and ensure compliance with company standards.
• Establish and maintain supplier quality performance metrics, driving accountability and improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Procurement, Engineering, and Operations to qualify new suppliers, manage audits, and support supplier development.
• Drive root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions for supplier-related non-conformances, implementing sustainable long-term solutions.

Receiving Inspection & Material Quality Oversight

• Oversee Receiving Inspection processes to ensure incoming materials meet quality requirements before integration into production.
• Define and optimize inspection plans, sampling strategies, and testing requirements.
• Implement risk-based inspection strategies, leveraging supplier history and data analytics to optimize efficiency.
• Ensure proper measurement systems are in place to verify incoming material conformance.

Additional Information

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Lead supplier quality improvement initiatives, including Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen projects.
• Collaborate with suppliers to enhance process control and standardization to reduce variation and defects.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, or other applicable quality standards for supplier management.
• Perform supplier audits and drive quality system improvements based on audit findings.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison between Suppliers, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to resolve supplier-related issues.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering on supplier-related design changes, material qualifications, and process validation.
• Lead supplier business reviews, driving continuous improvement goals and corrective action plans.
• Provide training and mentorship to the supplier quality team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Qualifications/Requirements

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field (preferred) with 5+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, or Manufacturing Quality.
  • OR an Associate degree in a technical field with 8+ years of relevant experience in supplier quality management, auditing, or inspection.
  • ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) is a plus.
• Supplier Management & Leadership: Proven experience in supplier development, audit management, and leading supplier quality teams.
• Receiving Inspection & Material Quality: Experience in inspection planning, statistical sampling, and material verification processes.
• Quality Standards & Compliance: Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949, or similar quality management systems.
• Process Improvement & Data Analysis: Proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma, FMEA, PPAP, APQP, and problem-solving methodologies.

Komatsu is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.