Quality Manager – Supplier Quality (Automotive / Manufacturing)

An international chemical manufacturer is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead and continuously improve its Quality Management System across products, suppliers, and contract/toll manufacturing partners. This role focuses on supplier and external manufacturing quality within an industrial environment, with strong alignment to automotive quality standards (IATF 16949, PPAP, APQP). The position places strong emphasis on supplier and contract manufacturer quality management, including audits, corrective actions, and cross-company quality collaboration. Candidates with experience in automotive, industrial, or materials manufacturing environments, particularly those with supplier quality responsibility, are highly desirable. This position is intended for a hands-on manufacturing quality leader who can work closely with external manufacturing partners and internal stakeholders to ensure consistent product quality and process compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001
• Lead supplier and contract/toll manufacturer quality management, including audit planning, execution, and follow-up
• Conduct supplier audits, contract manufacturer audits, and external/customer audits
• Work closely with toll manufacturers and external production partners to ensure manufacturing quality standards are met
• Manage audit findings, corrective actions, and supplier quality improvement initiatives
• Analyze quality data, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Manage non-conformance issues, customer complaints, and quality investigations
• Develop and maintain structured quality documentation and procedures
• Provide quality training for internal teams and external manufacturing partners
• Collaborate closely with production, engineering, and external manufacturing partners
• Lead and supervise QA staff, including coaching, performance management, and work prioritization
• Prepare quality reports and present findings, risks, and improvement initiatives to senior management

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of management experience in manufacturing quality
• Experience in chemical, materials, plastics, automotive, or industrial manufacturing environments
• Strong experience with supplier quality or contract/toll manufacturing quality management
• Hands-on experience conducting supplier audits and external manufacturing audits
• ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems experience
• Demonstrated supervisory and people-management experience
• Strong background in manufacturing quality systems and cross-functional quality leadership
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Quality Management, or related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive industry quality experience
• Experience with IATF 16949, PPAP, APQP, or automotive quality methodologies
• Experience working with contract manufacturers or toll manufacturers
• GMP experience
• Experience managing quality across external manufacturing networks

Travel & Work Structure

• Travel: Up to 15% annually
• Travel to contract/toll manufacturers typically occurs approximately quarterly
• SOHO Employees: Monthly reporting meetings at the New York Office (NYO)