| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Quality |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Head of Quality or General Manager Quality |
| Direct reports | Supplier Quality Engineer, Incoming Quality Inspector |
| Experience | 8 to 12 years in quality, with supplier quality and audit experience |
Supplier Quality Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Supplier Quality Manager
Department: Quality
Reports to: Head of Quality or General Manager Quality
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Supplier Quality Manager owns the quality of parts and materials coming from vendors. They approve new suppliers, audit vendor processes, run PPAP and APQP, resolve incoming defects, and drive supplier improvement so bought-in quality does not disrupt production. The role sits between purchasing, quality and the supplier, and travels to vendor sites. In an Indian manufacturing plant the supplier quality manager cuts incoming rejections, develops weak vendors, and holds suppliers accountable for defects through structured claims and corrective action.
Key responsibilities
- Approve new suppliers through process audits, sample approval and PPAP before regular supply begins.
- Run APQP with suppliers on new parts so quality is planned before production.
- Audit supplier processes and controls and drive them to close gaps within deadlines.
- Resolve incoming defects with structured supplier claims and corrective action, and recover cost where due.
- Develop weak but strategic suppliers to raise their quality capability over time.
- Set incoming quality requirements and sampling with the incoming inspection team.
- Track supplier quality performance and rate suppliers on defects and responsiveness.
- Coordinate with purchasing on sourcing decisions based on supplier quality.
- Handle line-stopping incoming issues quickly with containment and interim supply.
- Report supplier quality metrics and escalate chronic vendor issues.
Requirements
- B.E. or B.Tech in an engineering discipline
- Knowledge of PPAP, APQP and core quality tools
- A Six Sigma or auditor certification is an advantage
- 8 to 12 years in quality, with supplier quality and audit experience
KRAs and KPIs for a Supplier Quality Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Incoming defects | Incoming defect rate reduced to the plant target across key suppliers |
| Supplier approval | New parts approved through PPAP before production, no unapproved supply |
| Supplier claims | Supplier corrective actions closed within the agreed time, cost recovered where due |
| Audit closure | Supplier audit findings closed within the deadline |
| Supplier rating | Share of suppliers at the target rating raised through the year |
| Line stoppage | Line stoppages from incoming quality kept below the agreed limit |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Quality management system (QMS), PPAP and APQP tools, Measuring instruments, Supplier scorecards, MS Excel.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Quality, General Manager Quality, Supply Chain Quality Head
Interview questions for a Supplier Quality Manager
- How do you approve a new supplier for a safety-critical part?
- A supplier keeps sending the same defect. Walk me through your action.
- How do you develop a weak supplier you cannot easily replace?
- How do you handle a line stoppage caused by incoming material at 2 am?
- How do you decide the sampling plan for incoming inspection?
- How do you balance quality with purchasing's push for the lowest-cost vendor?
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What does a supplier quality manager do?
A supplier quality manager owns the quality of parts and materials from vendors. They approve new suppliers, run PPAP and APQP, audit vendor processes, resolve incoming defects with supplier claims, and develop weak suppliers. They set incoming quality requirements, rate suppliers, and work between purchasing, quality and the supplier to cut incoming rejections and prevent line stoppages.
What is PPAP and why does a supplier quality manager use it?
PPAP, the production part approval process, is a structured way to confirm a supplier can consistently make a part to specification before regular supply begins. A supplier quality manager uses it to approve new parts and suppliers, so quality problems are caught during approval rather than on the production line or at the customer.
What qualifications does a supplier quality manager need?
A B.E. or B.Tech in engineering is the usual base, with knowledge of PPAP, APQP and the core quality tools. A Six Sigma or auditor certification is an advantage. Employers expect several years in quality with supplier quality and audit experience, plus readiness to travel to vendor sites and negotiate corrective action.